| |  | Some of the members of the Fort Point Garrison Brass Band. |
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On Saturday, July 30 at 1 p.m., the Courthouse Docket continues with the Fort Point Garrison Brass Band. Playing on period brass horns, all of which are over 100 years old, the Band will perform a collection of 19th century national airs, ballads and quicksteps. The Fort Point Garrison Brass Band was formed in 2005. Part of the Band's mission is to portray an authentic 19th century American brass band and educate audiences on the history of bands, instruments, musicians, and their daily lives during this era. To this end the Band has performed for school programs, Civil War dances and balls, and at Civil War reenactments. Music provided by bands during the Civil War did much to help the cause. The bands performed concerts, played for troops on the march, provided music for balls and dances, and had an important role in military ceremonies. During battles, the bandsmen often assisted the surgeons in the field hospitals and as stretcher bearers on the battlefield. The performance is free with the price of admission to the museum: $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors, and free for children 5 and under. The Courthouse Docket is a monthly series of presentations held in the History Museum’s historic Courtroom A. The 2022 Courthouse Docket series is sponsored by Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation. More information at www.cypresslawnheritagefoundation.org. |
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|  | Outgoing Board Chairwoman Chonita Cleary. |
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July 1 represents the beginning of our fiscal year, and with it changes to our Board of Directors. After two years at the helm, Chonita Cleary has stepped down from the chairmanship. Everyone who has had the pleasure of working with Chonita over this time has been impressed with her energy and dedication to the San Mateo County Historical Association. For example, she began every Board meeting by reading our mission statement. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, nearly every meeting during her tenure was conducted online. Nevertheless, her time was marked with great progress, especially highlighted by our capital improvement program. Our new chairman will be John LaTorra. As Vice Chairman, John co-chaired our capital campaign, and before that he was a key leader of our annual campaign. As John was previously a building inspector, his experience is of particular importance as we initiate our construction projects. We have lost two board members. Past Chairman Mark Jamison has moved to Colorado, and Alpio Barbara has served his maximum three, three-year terms. Both these men were incredibly valuable to our leadership team. We are now welcoming onto the Board three new members. Joe Carcione is an accomplished attorney from Menlo Park. Ray Iverson is the new Redwood City Fire Chief. Therese Smith is the proprietor of Highway 92 Succulents, the greenhouse establishment that provides the inventive centerpieces each year at our History Makers dinner. Mitch Postel
President |
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 | Historic Union Cemetery in Redwood City. |
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| Victorian Days Walking Tours: Part 1 |
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Get a taste of local history through free walking tours that give an introduction to some of the historic places and themes throughout San Mateo County. Many of the tours require RSVPS and some have COVID-related restrictions. For everyone’s safety, please stay home if you are ill.
Redwood City: Historic Union Cemetery – Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Historic Union Cemetery Association Board members will lead a tour starting at the kiosk near the entrance at 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City. The Historic Union Cemetery first opened in 1859 on a six-acre triangle of land just outside of downtown Redwood City. With a little over 2,400 graves, many contain San Mateo County founding families and pioneers. Closed in 1918, the cemetery was named a California Historic landmark in 1967 and was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1983. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, gravel paths. Woodside: Folger Stable – Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Starting at the picnic tables near the parking lot, tour the Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park (4040 Woodside Road, Woodside). Learn about the history of the main stable, Carriage House, Chinese built stone walls, the blacksmith barn and dairy house. Take a trip back in time to learn about the agricultural uses of the property, the development of the Folger Coffee Company, the architectural legacy of the estate, the influence of horses to the American West and Woodside history. This year the tour will feature the planned restoration of the Dairy House built in 1874 that is currently in disrepair. Parking is extremely limited on this site. Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most surfaces are paved and even, some bricks/pavers, one steep segment.
For questions, contact fhwp2961@gmail.com. South San Francisco – Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The South San Francisco Public Library History Room will share architectural details about historic buildings along Grand Avenue. We will see the hotel that housed the earliest workers in the booming industrial town, the house that served as the City’s first hospital, and a dozen other historical sites. Come hear about the people who lived and worked in the city 100 years ago. The tour will start at the library (306 Walnut Avenue, South San Francisco) with a video about the city’s history. Free parking behind the library, enter on Miller Avenue. RSVP and more information: 650.877.8533 or martinezev@plsinfo.org Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most is on a slight decline, 2 blocks are steeper. Colma: Italian Cemetery – Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join the Colma Historical Association for a one-hour walk through the Italian Cemetery starting at the cemetery office (540 F Street at Clark Avenue, Colma). You’ll learn about its founding, the stories of some of its famous underground residents, the unique architectural style of the cemetery, and its award-winning above ground mausoleums. This will be followed by a picnic buffet at the Colma Historical Museum “next door” to the cemetery (1500 Hillside Boulevard, Colma). COVID Restriction: Masks recommended RSVP: 650.757.1676 or cha@colmahistory.com Difficulty Level: Easy. The tour is on level ground, but the paved paths have some trip-hazards. Menlo Park – Saturday, August 6 at 10 a.m. Menlo Park Historical Association (MPHA) Historian, Bo Crane, along with other members of the MPHA Board, will lead participants to historical sites in one of Menlo Park’s oldest sections starting at the 1867 train station (1120 Merrill Street, Menlo Park). The tour will follow Ravenswood Avenue and Oak Grove Avenue. Sights will include the 1869 Bright Eagle mansion, the 1927 Corpus Christi monastery, the Vallombrosa Center with an 1880 mansion, the 1872 Church of the Nativity, the 1914 Montgomery House, the 1964 Hopkins estate Gate House, and the newly built Menlo Park gate, replicating the original 1854 Menlo Park Ranch gateway. Please bring your own water and sun protection. Difficulty Level: Easy. The 1.5-mile tour is on level sidewalks.
Burlingame – Sunday, August 7 from 1-2 p.m.
The Burlingame Historical Society tour will describe the planting of the eucalyptus and elm trees that gave Burlingame its distinctive look, as well as the building in 1892 of a planned development of five homes that sought to jump-start a community of San Francisco summer dwellers. They will discuss original owners of the cottages, as well as the country club they formed. Bring a hat or sun protection. Starting at the Hillsborough Town parking lot (1600 Floribunda Avenue, Hillsborough), the ¾ mile tour concludes at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
RSVP requested, not required: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat walk, but no sidewalks and limited shade. |
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 | | CSM campus in 1967. Photo by Norton Pearl. |
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In honor of the College of San Mateo’s centennial, the History Museum will open a changing exhibit on the history of the San Mateo County College District in October 2022. We are looking for artifacts, photographs or stories that might enhance the exhibit, especially items related to the colleges’ early years, clubs, arts, sports, vocational programs and student voices and activism. Please contact exhibits@historysmc.org or 650.299.0104, ext. 233. |
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|  | Fourth of July pinwheels and flags. |
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Join us on Thursday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for An Old-Fashioned Fourth! After the big Redwood City parade, come inside the History Museum to celebrate Independence Day as they did in the 1880s. Visitors can create a pinwheel, make an 1880s flag, play a game and other activities from an activity book of the era. Museum admission will be half-price that day: $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and students and, as always, free for kids five and under. |
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 | The Kohl mausoleum at Cypress Lawn. |
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| Victorian Days Walking Tours: Part 2 |
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Colma: Cypress Lawn – Saturday, August 13 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A docent-led trolley excursion around a beautiful arboretum and outdoor museum of mausoleums and memorials to the famous pioneers of San Francisco and California. Meet at 1363 El Camino Real by the archway. Refreshments to follow the tour. As the trolley is limited to 24, RSVPs are required. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Trolley not wheelchair accessible. San Bruno – Sunday, August 14 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join San Mateo County Historical Association President Mitch Postel in an exploration of San Bruno’s historic business district. Starting at the intersection of San Mateo Avenue and El Camino, the walk down San Mateo Avenue includes the original EIMAC building where vacuum tubes were produced for broadcast and radar transmitters during World War II. The tour will feature a stop at the Welch Family’s private slot machine collection, a rare treat in itself. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Note the private slot machine collection is not ADA accessible. San Mateo – Sunday, August 20 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Join San Mateo preservationists Maxine Turner and Keith Weber for a downtown San Mateo tour. Details at www.historysmc.org/victorian-days-walking-tours. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org San Carlos - Saturday, August 27 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tour historic locations in downtown San Carlos with the San Carlos Heritage Association. Meet at the SW corner of San Carlos Avenue and Elm Street. The tour will end at the San Carlos History Museum, which will be open for tours. RSVP and more information: 650.283.0512 Difficulty Level: Easy. Sidewalks, mainly flat ground. Redwood City - Saturday, August 27 from 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Visit several of the Path of History Walking Tour sites in historic downtown Redwood City with San Mateo County Historical Association Board Member Dee Eva. Meet at the historic Lathrop House, 701 Hamilton Street, corner of Marshall Street. While supplies last, you will receive a copy of the tour map and guide. RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy Half Moon Bay: Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park - Sunday, August 28 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join a docent on a leisurely two-hour walk and take a journey back in time along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. This walk will be a 2.5 miles round trip hike with only a small gain in elevation. Along the way you will learn about the lives of early pioneers and farming families who first settled here in the 19th century. Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures. Meet in the parking lot. There is no water on site. More information: 650.726.8814 or HMBParksVolunteer@parks.ca.gov Difficulty Level: Moderate. Trail is mostly packed dirt and gravel, with only minor increases in elevation. Pescadero - Sunday, August 28 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Pescadero historian Gregory Timm will lead this year's walking tour focusing on the buildings and landscape that you can still see. Starting outside the 1863 Knapp House (80 Stage Road, Pescadero), view and learn about the early homes and building. To enjoy the tour more, please watch Timm’s 16-minute video (https://bit.ly/3b053P7) at home to see images of buildings no longer standing. COVID Restriction: Full vaccination record or proof of a negative COVID test RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, paved ground. |
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