Sonoma County Heritage Network

Report of January 11, 2003, meeting

at Luther Burbank Home and Gardens,

Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County Museum - Architect Michael Maltzan is designing the newbuilding which will incorporate the present structure, bringing it up tocode. There will be 11,000 square feet of new gallery space which willhouse both permanent and changing exhibits. She emphasized there would always be space dedicated to Sonoma County history. There will be arestaurant, café, gift shop and a 125-seat theater. The facility willlink local history and culture. The Sonoma County exhibit at the StateCapitol is installed. The next exhibit, "Museum Story: From Past to Future," will open on February 14. It will explore the building’s pastand provide a glimpse of its future as part of the new construction.

Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library - The Chosen Spot: SonomaCounty’s Rich History in Agriculture & Timber is the latest book in theseries featuring photos from the Sonoma County Library Photographic Collection. Funds were provided by a grant awarded by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. This book is now available at the Library.

Sonoma County Genealogical Society - The Index to Vital Data in Local Newspapers publishing project is moving right along. Volume IV,1886-1890, is at the printer and Volume V is almost finished. All SCGSpublications are now available at Heritage Books. The society’s annual spring seminar is set for March 22, 2003, at Sonoma State University. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack, CG, FUGA, nationally known lecturer and writer, will be the speaker. A book about Sonoma County cemeteries is also being published by Heritage Books.

Cloverdale Historical Society - The Gould-Shaw House Museum, a housebuilt in 1862, was retrofitted and is now open to visitors. For more details see their web site www.cloverdalehistoricalsociety.org

Russian River Historical Society - The society’s collection of photos and artifacts is being catalogued. The society was formerly known as the Monte Rio Historical Society and it now includes other small communities along the lower Russian River.

Sonoma County Recorders Office - As of January 1st county vital records were closed to the public, because of recent state legislation. This is of concern to local genealogists, who may work for a roll back of some of the restrictions.

Windsor Historical Society - There will be a display of George Greeott’s works at the Windsor Library, February 18th through March 1st with a reception on February 22nd. Gaye LeBaron’s video interview with George is available at the Sonoma County Wine Library in Healdsburg.

Pacific Coast Air Museum - The Museum is planning to commemorate the100th anniversary of the first airplane flight featuring local airplane builder and pilot, Fred Wiseman, who made the first airmail flight, Petaluma to Santa Rosa, in 1911.

Gaye LeBaron continues to produce Sonoma County "old timers" video oral histories thanks to Community Foundation funds. She hopes these interviews will eventually be available on line. She welcomes suggestions of subjects for her interviews.

Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery - The cemetery is sponsoring its first photo contest. Rules are available at Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library.

Georgetown - Watch for an article about Georgetown this summer in Sonoma Business magazine.

Rohnert Park Historical Society - The society is losing the home for its collection, which was housed in a building, together with the NWPRRHS’ collections, on Labath Avenue in Rohnert Park. It will be lost along with the Crushers Stadium. They are looking for a new home.

West County Museum & West Sonoma County Historical Society - The nextexhibit at the museum is "Crafts, Then and Now." It opens on February 6th, runs through April, and features both vintage and contemporary works.

Sonoma County Historical Society - The society is working on the reprint of the 1877 historical atlas. The deadline for nominees for their awards banquet is February 10. Banquet will be on March 1st. The index to the SCHS Journal is at the Sonoma County Central Library’s Annex, and copies are available.

Healdsburg Museum - The Museum has received an N.E.H. grant for a conservation survey to prioritize the work to be done and develop along-range plan. Last month’s Christmas Victorian Parlor Tour was very successful. The History Lives Pioneer Award Dinner on March 20th will honor Milt Brandt.

Luther Burbank Home & Gardens - LBH&G will receive National Horticultural Landmark status on Arbor Day. A poster of Frida Kahlo’sportrait of Luther Burbank is currently on display.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, April 12, 2002 at the Petaluma Museum.