our mission is to identify, preserve, and promote image of...
TRANSCRIPT
Sonoma League For Historic Preservation Our mission is to identify, preserve, and promote
the historic architectural character, culture, and
image of the City of Sonoma and surroundings.
May, 2011
NN EE WW SS LL EE TT TT EE RR
Toscano Hotel
The Carriage House/Barn at Temelec, 1858
Quarterly Meeting Wednesday, May 18
th at 5:00 p.m.
Maria Biasetto’s Home See article page 3
2
Your Board of Directors is
focusing on several major
projects for the League. One
will be the kick off of the new
logo being unveiled next
month. Gary Kozel and his
committee of Yvonne Bowers,
Pat Pulvirenti, Micaelia Randolph, and Barbara
White Perry have been working with Tina Tovey, a
graphic designer, to develop the new logo. This has
been a very exciting project. Many thanks go to Gary
and his committee for their time and commitment to
the project.
Another major project is reviewing and updating the
present database of historic properties surveyed by
League Members in the late 1970‟s and updated in
1998. Around eight hundred properties fifty years and
older were surveyed and have been entered into the
database. We have applied for a grant to hire a
Historic Preservation Planner to assist us with this
major project. We are thankful to the League
Members who had the foresight to conduct the survey
and develop this valuable resource presently available
to the public.
The Board thanks all the Auxiliary Members involved
over the years for their hard work and dedication in
producing the special events we have enjoyed. There
was Derby Day, the Fourth of July Celebration,
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Loyce Haran, President 938-3274 [email protected]
Maria Biasetto, Corresponding Secretary 938-9059
Patti Williams, Treasurer 938-7162 [email protected]
Carrie Fogg, Recording Secretary 996-1991 [email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS
Bettie Crossfield Allen, Docent Coordinator 934-5090 [email protected]
Yvonne Bowers, Newsletter, Membership, and 843-0109 Hooker House [email protected]
BOARD MEMBERS con‟t.
Sheila Cole, Annual and Quarterly Meetings 938-0350 [email protected]
Patricia Cullinan, Preservation 938-5721 [email protected]
Robert C. Demler, Jr. 996-3432 [email protected]
Pat Dennett, Toscano 996-0926 [email protected]
John F. Dorr Jr., AIA NCARB (415)-453-8214 [email protected]
Gary Kozel 833-1381 [email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT‟S MESSAGE
FROM THE EDITOR
Ph
oto
by
‘Zan
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Cla
rk
Henri‟s Birthday Party, and the very exciting Cottage
and Garden Tour. The Cottage and Garden Tour will
continue with the next one in May, 2012. Since the
Auxiliary was formed in October, 2003, thousands of
dollars have been raised to support the projects of the
League. Again, thank you.
Thank you also to Prudence Dreyfus and Nancy
Simpson for their dedication to the Heritage Center at
Maysonnave House. For the past four years they have
staffed the house on Wednesdays, trained the docents,
scheduled events, overseen the upkeep of the house
and gardens, and, more importantly, promoted the
League. Although they are relinquishing their duties
at Maysonnave, they will continue to be strong
supporters of the League and of preservation.
I hope to see everyone at the Quarterly Meeting on
May 18th at the lovely home of Maria Biasetto.
Loyce Haran, President
This is your newsletter! What would you like to see
in its pages? Any and all comments and suggestions
are welcome. “Roving reporters” are also wanted. If
you‟d like to contribute an article or photo please
contact me. Thank you.
Yvonne Bowers, Editor
843-0109
3
Temelec's 150-year-old Carriage House/Barn
Captain Granville Perry Swift laid the cornerstone for Temelec Hall June 19, 1858, and married Jane Eliza Tate on September 1, 1858. The mansion and the carriage house, now known as the barn, were under construction during 1858 and into 1861. A stone wall, part of which is still visible along Temelec Hall and the reservoir, went all the way from the mansion to the carriage house and was lined with trees. Those trees were continued out toward the bay (some are still living along Watmaugh Road) to help guide visitors once off the boat from San Francisco to get to Temelec.
The barn is built of the same fieldstone as the mansion and has two stories with a dove cote on top and a solid stone driveway up the second story on the west end. Carriages and buggies could then be stored on the second floor while horses were on the first. But before the upper floor of the barn was used for carriages, Captain Swift's second son, Granville Perry Swift II, was born there in 1861. Some repairs and changes were going on at the main house, the barn was completed, and an area of the second floor was set up as an elegant bedroom where Jane Eliza gave birth to Perry.
Captain Swift did not get to enjoy his home all that long as he lost the property in 1863 and moved to the area we now call Fairfield.
When Colonel William Kissane Rogers owned Temelec, from late 1865 to 1892, he had vineyards and a very successful wine business. By 1876, his winery produced 25,000 gallons of wine and 800 gallons of brandy. For his business needs, Kissane Rogers removed the driveway ramp and added a room to the barn as large as the ramp had been long. The slant of the ramp can still be seen in this room as he used the north side of the ramp as the basis of the room's north wall.
After Kissane Rogers lost Temelec in 1893, it lay empty for many years and even became known as the Haunted Farm. In 1915 Lolita Schweitzer, who had grown up in San Francisco, moved back to Northern California from New York City. Now a tobacco heiress, she bought Temelec Hall with 268 acres and did a fine job of restoring the mansion. She met and married Cobby Coblentz (managing editor of the Hearst newspapers), who was a close friend of William Randolph Hearst. Hearst gave Cobby and Lolita a lovely wedding present: antique European doors, which he did not need for his Castle. The doors were installed in the east front of the carriage house/barn where they are today.
Temelec's barn, as you can now realize, has a long and active history. Although its main use today is storage, it stands with a quiet grace as a reminder of the past.
J. Wylie Hartman, M.D.
Billie Hobart, a resident of Temelec serving on the Board of Directors, supplied material for this article.
The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation
Quarterly Meeting held February 16 at the Toscano
Hotel was a success with forty people attending.
Many brought hors d'oeuvres. Sonoma Market‟s pate
was a winner - hands down. Many thanks to the
volunteers who helped set up and clear.
The next Quarterly Meeting will be held on
Wednesday, May 18th, at our own Maria Biasetto‟s
beautiful house and grounds. At this writing, I can
only hope the adage "March winds, April showers
bring May flowers" is true, although we can forget
the April showers bit, because we will find ourselves
going to Maria‟s simply to get to higher ground!
Y'all come now, hear?! That's my Connecticut
Yankee background talking!
Sheila Cole
I am honored to host the Sonoma League for Historic
Preservation Quarterly Meeting on May 18, 2011,
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. I invite you all to come
celebrate the mission of the League that our
community embraces and to enjoy visiting all the
numerous animals that live on my place and call it a
“hidden paradise."
Maria Biasetto
Directions: From Arnold Dr. and Grove Street,
drive west on Grove for 2.4 miles to George Ranch
entrance. Turn left on White Alder Rd. and drive
for .4 miles to the common area (small lake and
clubhouse). Park there and walk back to 2980
White Alder which is the first house to your right
coming back or the first house to your left going up.
THE LANDMARK ON OUR COVER
QUARTERLY MEETING
4
Our 2011 membership campaign has been reasonably successful. Only a handful of members have yet to pay their 2011 dues (due January 1) and continue receiving the newsletter, e-blasts, and other interesting information about the League. It is the support of our membership that allows the League to further its mission of the historic preservation of Sonoma's structures and landscape. Without you, so much would not be possible.
If you have not renewed your membership, please send a check today. A renewal form is available at sonomaleague.org, at Maysonnave House, or by contacting me. If you have questions regarding your membership, please email or call.
An updated directory is in the works, will be printed this summer, and will be distributed at the August 2011 Quarterly Meeting.
Yvonne Bowers, Membership Chair 843-0109
NEW LOOK
FOR THE LEAGUE!
Earlier this year, Sonoma League for
Historic Preservation President
Loyce Haran established a committee
to develop a new look and identity for
the League. As Loyce stated at the
time, a major concern of the League’s
board has been to expand the
organization’s membership to a
broader, more diverse segment of our
community. A key to accomplishing
this, she pointed out, is having a new
logo developed that could be applied
to the League’s Web site and all its
printed materials.
Loyce appointed Yvonne Bowers,
Gary Kozel, Pat Pulvirenti, Barbara
White Perry, and Micaelia Randolph
to the special committee to come up
with the new logo design. Barbara
and Micaelia, along with League
member Nancy Simpson, strongly
recommended Sonoma designer Tina
Tovey for the project.
Since February we have been meeting
and working closely with Tina. We
expect her to present a final logo
design to the League Board soon for
its review and consideration. If the
board reacts favorably to the new
design, we are hopeful it can be
introduced publicly later this spring.
We’re all very impressed and excited
with the different logo concepts that
Tina has come up with to date,
especially the design the committee
unanimously chose to bring before the
League Board. We think it
beautifully captures the mission,
spirit, and successful work of the
organization.
Gary Kozel
BIENVENIDOS NEW MEMBERS
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING
OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
Sharon J. Emke
Linda B Williams
IN MEMORIAM
Paul C. Jess
Local attorney Paul C. Jess died April 8, 2011 in Sonoma at
the age of 74 after a long battle with leukemia. Paul was a
founding member of the Sonoma League for Historic
Preservation, serving as a Past President and on the
Board of Directors until 1977. “Paul was passionate about
historic preservation and a true visionary in the legal
aspects of preservation,” says Johanna Patri, longtime
League Member and Past President herself. “He was
instrumental in laying down the basic tenets of the
League, its bylaws, and façade easements among them.”
He was active in community affairs in Sonoma where he
was elected to the Sonoma City Council for a four-year
term and served as vice mayor in 1966. Paul was very
active in Democratic Party politics and helped form the
Sonoma Land Trust wherein he served many years as a
director. The League will miss him.
MEMBERSHIP
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2011
RECEPTION FOR THE WORK OF
MAGGIE HILBIBER BAYLIS
(1912 – 1997) Organized and hosted by Ginny Richardson and Maud Hallin, a lovely
reception was held on March 19, 2011, showcasing the work by Maggie
Baylis at the General Joseph Hooker House. The eclectic collection of
paintings, drawing, cards, and books included works lent by League members
Maud Hallin, Maria Biasetto, Bernie Fredell, Ennid Gmelch, and Andy
Weinberger of Readers Books and was the March exhibit at the house.
Despite the weather, League Members and friends of Maggie came from as
far away as San Francisco and Sweden to have a glass of wine, a bite to
eat, and to enjoy the works by their friend, Maggie.
Maggie Baylis was a nationally known designer, garden writer, and illustrator
who worked in San Francisco for many years. Her experience ranged from
department store ad manager, ad agency copywriter and art director, to
assistant art director of Sunset Magazine. When she moved to Sonoma,
she became an active and supportive member of the Sonoma League for
Historic Preservation. As Art Editor for the quarterly newsletter, she filled
each issue with both witty drawings and architectural renderings, but it is for
her warm and affectionate nature that most people remember her.
5
6
LAST QUARTER‟S SATURDAY LECTURE SERIES This year‟s lecture series began with Arthur
Dawson discussing the barn and property of
Magnolia Farm on Eighth Street East. It is
believed that this is the last barn built with
wood milled at General Vallejo‟s Glen Ellen
sawmill. Arthur‟s lecture addressed the
history of the owners, buildings, and uses of
Magnolia Farm.
The second lecture by Chris Patillo took us
on a tour of the historic landscape that
encompasses the area of the southern
approach to the Golden Gate Bridge, known
as Doyle Drive. Chris defined and
illustrated with her lecture the term „cultural
landscape,‟ that is becoming increasingly
important to preservationists worldwide.
The audience‟s response was enthusiastic
with lots of interaction and interest in the
documentation being created before the
radical changes are made to the historic
approach to San Francisco.
Chris shared the drawings of the historic
landscape, some of which had been
previously hidden for decades because of
overgrown vegetation.
The third lecture by Janet Gracyk on the
White House in Washington, DC, discussed
in the context of an Historic American
Landscape Survey, brought the history of the
White House site and the history of our
country alive for all who attended. Janet laid
out in words and photos the history of our
Nation‟s Capital and how the site has
evolved.
The May and June lectures, the final lectures
until September, will discuss two aspects of
Sonoma County: agriculture by Tom
Brown, a local noted historian, and a tour of
the architecture of Sonoma county by
architectural historian Diana Painter. Diana
was previously the chair of the Sonoma
County Landmarks Commission.
Patricia Cullinan
The Sonoma Heritage Coalition was formed in 2010 to bring together “memory organizations” (archives, museums, libraries, parks) with remarkably rich and extensive but often little known collections focused on the Sonoma Valley. Sonoma Valley is an area of distinguished significance to Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and United States history. The Coalition‟s vision is to develop the Sonoma Valley Heritage Project, a network of resources, including a Digital Commons and K-12 curriculum, accessible to a wide and diverse audience.
Sonoma Valley represents a microcosm of California, a place where the forces that have shaped our state‟s landscape and culture can be understood on a human scale. Its natural and cultural histories provide unique and intriguing examples for both formal and informal education. The Coalition formed around the understanding that the value of the information our organizations maintain is greatly enhanced when collectively shared and accessible to current and future generations. Because of Sonoma‟s role as “the birthplace of modern California,” this information has statewide significance.
Current membership includes Sonoma Valley Historical Society, Sonoma League for Historic Preservation, Sonoma Land Trust, California State Parks, Glen Ellen Historical Society, Sonoma Ecology Center, and the City of Sonoma. These organizations serve a broad and diverse audience of students, residents, researchers, and visitors. They include: K-12 education (including bilingual); architectural and ecological stewardship; curatorship of museums and archives; and research; and information technology services, including database and website development and maintenance. The Coalition has applied for a planning grant to enable the Coalition to take the first steps toward creating the Sonoma Valley Heritage Project. Building on the experience of digital libraries and archives in the networked web environment, our goal is to make the rich resources held by Coalition members available in digital form to a large and diverse audience. Access to this information through the web, cell phones, and other electronic devices will foster a richer understanding of the history of Sonoma Valley. The project will offer a prototype for other regions and could become a catalyst for a California Heritage Network of museums, archives, libraries, and parks. Look for future updates as the Coalition moves forward with this exciting project. The League is a dedicated partner in this effort and welcomes input from you, our members.
Patricia Cullinan
SONOMA HERITAGE COALITION
7
On Wednesday, April 20 the docents, League, and members of the community celebrated the 38th Annual Toscano Tea as well as the 38th Anniversary of the
re-opening of the hotel. Tea and pastries were served in the lovely dining room of the hotel to over 60 guests, locals and tourists alike. Longtime docents Wylie Hartman showed
visitors around the hotel and Bernie Fredell poured tea. Docents Sharon Douglas, Pat Dennett, Tamra Rollins, Yvonne Bowers, and Mandy Weil donned long skirts
for the event, and Debbie Myers and Karla Noyes supervised kitchen duties. In addition, many docents provided delicious cookies and baked goods!
Many attendees emailed saying what a lovely event it was.
TOSCANO HOTEL 38th ANNUAL TEA
A POEM BY ROBERT DEMLER FOR THE 38TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE TOSCANO HOTEL’S REOPENING
ON APRIL 20, 2011
A cup of tea; a sip of history to help satisfy our unquenchable taste
for knowing all about the past.
A piece of special homemade cake; a slice of history - a loving gift from a faithful Toscano Docent.
Through these simple pleasures, we celebrate together those thirty-eight years
that have so swiftly passed.
All of our ceremony and this honoring of the past
is just so we will have a proper recipe for the future!
©Robert C. Demler, Jr.
April 6, 2011 Algiers, Algeria
8
At a somewhat leisurely pace for the past year, we have been
organizing the books belonging to the League, which are now
housed in the Maysonnave House. I would like to give a
bird's eye view of the collection while pointing out a few
items of special interest.
The books are arranged by subject. In the library (room to the
left of the entrance hall), the shelves on the outside wall begin
at the top with the Bancroft History of California. Each of
the five volumes has an index of pioneers at the end for the
period covered by that volume, but there is also Vol.6 that
covers pioneers and inhabitants (male only including children
- only male) from 1542-1848. The names of the 1700 pioneers
listed were selected from Mission Registers and other documents in the archives , so the records are probably not
complete. There are also many other histories of the state, not as extensive, and then histories of Sonoma County,
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma City, and various Bay Area towns.
Across the room is a cabinet with an erratic old lock. This is my favorite area. This is where we shelve biographies,
personal journals, and tales of colorful old San Francisco. There are stories of the early days where som e of the
settlers who became successful and famous had familiar names such as Sutter and Fremont. Being a fairly new arrival
to California myself, I learned so much as I browsed through many of these stories. For instance we have a day -by-
day log by Sterling B. F. Clark in How many miles from St. Jo? He came from New England and kept daily track
of miles and expenditures on his journey west. He had fallen in love with a lady from Philadelphia and traveled back
East to bring her here. Unfortunately while coming home on his honeymoon, he died before the ship reached San
Francisco. Ernestine Evans, who is the granddaughter of Clarke’s widow Rachel and Rachel’s second husband ,
Dudley H. Haskell, donated this charming book.
Another charming story is 920 O'Farrell St. by Harriet L. Levy. It describes the life of a well-to-do family in the
San Francisco of the late 19 th century. The author later went to Paris with Alice B. Toklas, where she met the artists
in Gertrude Stein’s circle. She bought many works by the then relatively unknown painters. At her death she
bequeathed her sizable collection of Picassos, Matisses, etc. to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Another small tome called Timeless Walks in San Francisco is a block-by-block historical walking guide of the
city. It would be fun to follow that someday.
Oscar Lewis' Bonanza Inn gives the history of America's first luxury hotel - the Palace. More about the early days
of San Francisco and its colorful citizenry are two books by Helen Holdredge about Mammy (Mary Ellen) Pleasant.
With her partner, Thomas Bell, she bought Beltane Ranch in Sonoma Valley in 1890. Shanghaied in San Francisco
(love the title) has a foreword by Kevin Starr, who was our speaker at an SHLP picnic a few years ago.
Tucked away in a corner (right side facing) on the top shelf of the cabinet is a Bible, published in 1829. A note inside
explains that it was the property of Thomas C. Wall, the maternal grandfather of J.C. Hobson and was brought from
North Carolina to Missouri in 1836, to California in 1850, to Sonoma County probably in 1857. It does not explain the
two notes loosely inserted in its pages dated 1893 and 1895 written by (Wm.?) Wall promising to pay $100 to Sarah
E.Wall. Did Sarah ever get her money?
Proceeding into the dining room, one discovers a cabinet that holds our architecture collection, a few books on Indians
and the Gold Rush, the Spanish Missions, historic preservation, Victorians and adobes, interior decoration , and more.
Of special note is Sonoma Valley Legacy by James B. Alexander (Beach). This includes histories and sites of 70
historic adobes in and around the Sonoma Valley. Also in Mammy Pleasant's Cookbook there is a drawing of
Beltane Ranch by Beach on page 129.
Prudence Dreyfus is putting it all on an easy-to-use database, which we are keeping very simple. I thank Prudence
and Nancy Simpson for helping me with this very enjoyable project.
Liza Pick
THE LIBRARY AT MAYSONNAVE HOUSE
9
May, 2011
Architectural Conservation and Education Subcommittee (ACE)
Cochran Binders/Historical Resources Survey Subcommittee (CB/HRS)
PLEASE JOIN US!
ACE meets monthly on the Tuesday preceding the 3rd Wednesday
at the Maysonnave House at 5:00 p.m.
CB/HRS meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday
at the Maysonnave House at 5:00 p.m.
LEAGUES‟ HISTORIC SURVEYS
The Sonoma County League for Historic Preservation undertook a survey of historic properties in the late
1970s. Over time, the survey has been augmented with surveys initiated for other purposes. Sonoma County
surveys, done in the early 1990‟s and in 2008 and 2009, updated records for a number of significant properties
in Sonoma Valley. The Sonoma Plaza was listed on the National Register as a historic district in 1974; its
boundary was expanded in 1992. The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation, which consults the City of
Sonoma and Sonoma County on historic properties in the region, has a need to update its records from the
mid-and late-1970s to ensure that they chronicle the most accurate and current information possible. The
League‟s desire is to be proactive in identifying the significant historic properties in bo th Sonoma and the
Sonoma Valley to support property research activities and thorough documentation efforts.
The Architectural Conservation and Education Committee has been applying for grants to enable the League
to hire Diana Painter, an architectural historian, to assist the League with updating the survey and its
associated records.
The plan is to update the records held by the League as detailed below:
1. Review a list of 800+ existing survey forms for Kenwood, Sonoma, Schellville, Vineburg, Petaluma
(limited), Glen Ellen, Eldridge, El Verano, Agua Caliente, and Boyes Hot Springs.
2. Resolve discrepancies noting parcel numbers and historic addresses.
3. Compare League records to the historic property database at the Northwest Information Center and
identify and copy records missing from the League‟s documentation.
4. Compare League records to the Inventory and Landmarks list at Sonoma County and City of Sonoma
and identify and copy records missing from the League‟s documentation.
5. Review the National Register District nominations to ensure that the League has the most current
information.
6. Update the League‟s files from the Sonoma County 2008/2010 survey and the surveys on file at
Sonoma County History Annex and Sonoma State University.
7. Obtain the most current list of properties over 50 years of age.
Diana will also assist the League in developing a project plan, identifying the tasks, and prioritizing the work
needing to be done to update the survey.
The League records continue to provide critical pieces of the information required to protect historic Sonoma
Valley.
Chair: Patricia Cullinan- [email protected] 938-5721
Secretary/Publicity: Pat Pulvirenti- [email protected] 939-3599
PRESERVATION COMMITTEE NEWS
10
WATMAUGH BRIDGE MAY BE SAVED . . . . FOR NOW
The County of Sonoma has evidently removed the replacement of historic Watmaugh Bridge from its list of current projects. In the light of CEQA, the Landmarks Commission and Federal Stimulus Oversight requirements, the county plans a ground-floor review of the project. No timeline is published. Thank you to the Citizens for the Preservation of Sonoma Historic Bridges (which includes several League Members) for their tireless efforts to "save" once again this 1929 pony-truss bridge, one of the few remaining in the county.
Yvonne Bowers, CPSHS
ARBOR DAY CLEBRATION
Each year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation celebrates cities and towns around the country selected for their rich cultural heritage, preserved historic buildings, and abundance of activities that ensure visitors will have enriching and memorable experiences. In February, 2011, Sonoma was chosen to receive the honor as one of the “2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.” Members of the Blue Wing Adobe Preservation Committee made the nomination of Sonoma. This was done as part of the Committee‟s efforts to bring national awareness of Sonoma as a place where history is important. This honor was recognized at the annual Arbor Day celebration in the Sonoma Plaza on Friday, March 11, 2011. A Red Sunset Maple was planted near the children‟s playground in the northeast quadrant to commemorate this honor.
Pat Pulvirenti
UPDATED WALKING TOURS
Bettie Crossfield Allen is working on a new League Walking Tour. Building on the previous successful walking tours on our Historic Plaza this promises to be a fun and exciting update. If you wish to participate on the committee or as a docent, please contact Bettie at 934-5090 or email [email protected].
LEAGUE PROPERTIES ON THE WEB
The National Geographic Travel Planner: http://www.visitredwoodcoast.com/content_detail.p
hp?uid=ncoE4B3540606A0F6BE6 Click on sites nearby (lower right of screen) to see the League properties. This is a great site for visitors.
Open Street Map
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=38.295012&lon=-122.454798&zoom=18
The Auxiliary Says “Goodbye”
The Auxiliary was originally established as a group to
raise money for the League through special events.
The first event was a Cottage and Garden Tour
raising funds for the renovation of the Maysonnave
House and Garden. From the beginning, the group
has operated as an independent entity with a
representative serving on the Board of Directors.
In an effort to streamline communication, strengthen
board participation, and enhance fundraising efforts,
it was announced at the March board meeting that,
effective March 15, 2011, the League Auxiliary would
cease to function as an independent entity. Going
forward, the Board will be responsible for creating a
new fundraising committee and appointing a chair or
co-chairs for the Cottage and Garden Tour, which
will continue to be held every other year commencing
in 2012.
Several factors contributed to this decision, among
them the confusion and the redundancy of having
two boards within one organization. The Auxiliary
will now be folded into the League board, and, as a
result, the League board members, along with the new
committee, will be directly involved in fundraising
vision, strategy, and tactics.
Derby Day 2011 has been canceled but the new
committee in process will manage other events such
as the July 4 picnic, Henri‟s party, and Christmas at
the Mission night.
We are extremely grateful for the tireless work and
creative participation of our many Auxiliary
members and their support systems (spouses, friends,
businesses, and others) that have made these events
such a financial and public relations success. Their
willing cooperation has been an invaluable asset to
the League.
We expect this new structure will be a positive step
toward an even more successful League. We
welcome everyone‟s participation, and your
suggestions are always welcome.
Carrie Fogg and Loyce Haran
NEWS OF INTEREST TO US
AUXILIARY
The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation
continues its Second Saturday lecture series at the
Community Center with discussion on two aspects
of Sonoma County's historical agriculture and
architecture. (See the Sonoma League website,
sonomaleague.org, for additional details.)
Mark These Dates In Your Calendar
Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
TOM BROWN Historian
Topic: Tom will discuss the history
of agriculture in Sonoma County
from before the advent of European
contacts with the native population
to the late 20th Century.
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
LECTURER TBA Architectural Historian
Topic: Architect Brainerd Jones of Petaluma
designed the Sonoma Valley Woman‟s Club.
He was a prolific and very talented architect
who designed commercial, civic, and residential
buildings all over the North Bay (Marin and
Sonoma Counties) in his time, which spanned
from the Victorian era thru the Art Deco period.
These lectures are open to members and the public.
Patricia Cullinan, Pat Pulvirenti
SECOND SATURDAY LECTURES
11
In spite of the rain, we have had more than 811 visitors at the Hooker House this year. During the month of March we featured the graphic design of Maggie Baylis, including the gardening books that she wrote and illustrated and the architectural designs she and her husband produced. 269 visited during the month with 65 more attending the wonderful reception on March 19. On one Monday, Sonoma Valley Christian School teachers brought their students to see the 1850‟s Swedish precut house and to look at the Timeline of Sonoma History. Tamra Rollins offered tours for the first, second, and fourth graders. Two new docents have joined the volunteers at the General Hooker House: League member Sharon Emke and new member Paula Yokoyama who, with her husband, Tony, is also working on documents at the Heritage Center. We happily welcome them. Our current exhibit, “Nineteenth Century Wineries in Sonoma Valley,” traces the early growth of the wine industry that attracted so many European entrepreneurs to the Valley. It begins with a reproduction of a postcard showing a Padre plowing a field, to Mariano Vallejo, and on to Agoston Haraszthy and his Villa. The exhibit also includes three images of vineyard workers from photos taken by Eadweard Muybridge for Buena Vista Winery in 1871. Three photos of Glen Ellen wineries: Chauvet, Stuart, and Glen Oaks (the last two successfully operated by women) are included as well as two photographic reproductions of paintings done of the Agillon Winery by Leon Trousset and an early photo of the Gundlach and Dresel vineyards. We hope you will come and visit!
Yvonne Bowers and Ginny Richardson
GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER HOUSE NEWS
HOOKER HOUSE REQUEST! CAN YOU HELP US ENHANCE
THE BEAUTIFUL BUT BARE NEW PATIO WITH A DONATION
OF GARDEN FURNITURE?
The newly cleaned and laid bricks offer direct access from El Paseo to the Gen. Jos. Hooker House. The roses and boxwood are thriving, and the patio will offer visitors a particularly comfortable setting this summer. If you are looking for a tastefully appointed home for unneeded garden furniture, please call Yvonne Bowers at 843-0109 or Ginny Richardson at 933-0847.
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MEETING CALENDAR – 2011 Board of Directors Meeting Maysonnave Wednesday, May 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Quarterly Meeting Home of Maria Biasetto Wednesday, May 18 at 5:00 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting Maysonnave Wednesday, June 15 at 4:30 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting Maysonnave Wednesday, July 20 at 4:30 p.m.
Quarterly Meeting TBD Wednesday, August 17, at 5:30 p.m.
Editor Yvonne Bowers Web Editor Micaelia Randolph
Production/ Wine Country Design Mailing and Imaging
Contributors Maria Biasetto ‘Zanne Clark Patricia Cullinan Sharon Douglas Loyce Haran Wylie Hartman Tom McKean Micaelia Randolph Ginny Richardson Barbara White Perry
Coming in the next issue! The August 2011 edition of the
Sonoma League for Historic Preservation
newsletter will have a new look!
Watch for our new logo.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SONOMA CA 95476
PERMIT No. 119
Sonoma League for Historic Preservation Post Office Box 766 Sonoma, California 95476
Keeping in Touch Website: www.sonomaleague.org R.S.V.P and Information: 938-0169 Toscano Kitchen: 938-5889 Hooker House: 938-0510
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