Judy Starr Confer has been the face of the River of Time Museum for 10 years.

As the first paid museum executive director, Confer molded the fledging concept into a regional accredited museum.

She steps down Aug. 31 but continues as a liaison to Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Anthony (Tony) Basche, former head of the Central Arizona Museum Association, succeeds Confer.

When the idea of a museum was first proposed, Confer recalled that “everyone would say ‘why a museum in Fountain Hills? It’s so new.’”

“I tell them people have been here for thousands of years,” she said, referring to the Yavapai Native American culture that precluded the building of Fountain Hills and other area communities.

“At first I noticed that they (the Yavapai) seemed afraid of us….and the white people were afraid of them. I thought how interesting.”

Confer learned about the Yavapai people and built trust through the late Dr. Clinton Pattea, long-time president of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

“He sat with me for many hours, probably 40 to 50 hours, telling me their history. I was amazed by them and him,” she recalled.

Sabina Chester presented her with a Yavapai native dress for the opening of the River of Time Museum and later a handcrafted blanket.

“I was so thrilled that they did that for me,” said Confer.

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation initially contributed $50,000 for the museum’s creation and every year since has given donations of varying amounts.

The museum chronicles in displays and exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia, dioramas and audiovisuals the history of the Lower Verde River Valley of Arizona.

The museum was renamed The L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum in 2008 as a tribute to Cruikshank, a museum co-founder and publisher of The Fountain Hills Times.

Confer, a University of Illinois graduate, is an interior designer by profession. Also an artist, she has created southwestern products for many years, including featherweight rocks.

The local scenic beauty appealed to Confer and her companion, Stephen Busker, during their Arizona travels to find a new home.

Confer attended most of the planning committee meetings for the museum. Participants were encouraged to sign up for committees of their interest and create a local museum in conjunction with Sunbelt Scenic Studios.

“Everything interested me so much, I signed up for everything,” said Confer. “Arizona history was all new to me.”

When illness forced the museum’s volunteer director Jerry Wilhelm to resign, Confer stepped in to replace him.

“I remember how it was when it started and I see now that it is functioning so well and that is really due to all of the volunteers,” said Confer.

She spoke to civic organizations, fraternal groups and school classes to bring attention to the museum and its exhibits. Within nine months, the museum was accredited by the Arizona Historical Society. The process usually takes five years.

Fundraising was then and continues to be her Number One focus.

“Our budget is about $60,000. That’s why we never have enough money and I’m always begging,” said Confer.

The town leases the space in the library/museum building for $1 annually. Membership stands around 500, a figure that Confer believes is too low for the town’s size.

“For the population of the town, we could quadruple our membership,” she said, adding that the new museum director has expertise in building membership numbers.

“With more members, comes more money and a larger operating budget,” said Confer.

Membership fee for an individual is $25 annually and $35 for a family. Admission is only $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for students.

The August Italian dinner and Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony are the two largest fundraisers for the museum.

Under her watch, Time Travelers, elementary student docents who explain the museum exhibits to visitors, and life-size sculptures designed by Rex Wittig were instituted to enhance the museum experience. Improvements to the ranch exhibit will be the next major change.

Confer received the Legacy Award from the River of Time Museum Foundation in 2011.

Her retirement may provide more time to complete an on-going literary project.

She has been writing and illustrating a book, “Sonoran Soul: Tall Tales of the Cactus Clan Saguaro People.”

“Primarily it will be a children’s book but I hope it will appeal to all ages,” said Confer. She hopes the book will be published in English, Spanish and Yavapai languages.