2010-11-18 - Indian Baskets and Acorn Grinding with April Moore

Presenter: April Moore
In this Nevada County Historical Society meeting, April Moore, discusses the traditional methods of acorn processing used by local Native American tribes. She shows a video of Lizzie Enos and Marie Potts demonstrating the process of gathering, cracking, winnowing, and pounding acorns. April explains the importance of drying the acorns to prevent spoilage and the significance of leaching to remove tannic acid. She also describes the tools used in acorn processing, such as bedrock mortars and pestles, and the cultural practices associated with these activities, including singing while grinding acorns. The audience asks questions about various aspects of acorn processing, including storage methods, nutritional value, and the use of other plants like buckeye. April shares her personal experiences and knowledge, emphasizing the importance of preserving and passing on these traditional practices.

Created: November 18, 2010
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Moore, April, "Indian Baskets and Acorn Grinding "
Speaker Nights, November 18, 2010. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18270

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18270

2011-01-20 - Odd Fellows and Aaron Sargent with Allan Rogers

Presenter: Allan Rogers
Allan Rogers, a long-standing member of the Odd Fellows lodge, delivered a presentation on the organization's history, focusing on Aaron Sargent, the first Noble Grand of the Nevada City lodge. Sargent, a self-taught man with a remarkable career in law and politics, played a key role in the establishment of the Odd Fellows in Nevada City and contributed significantly to the development of the transcontinental railroad and women's suffrage. Rogers highlighted Sargent's brilliance, dedication, and commitment to public service, emphasizing his lasting impact on the community. The presentation also touched on the history of the Odd Fellows organization, its guiding principles of friendship, love, and truth, and its charitable work in supporting widows, orphans, and those in need. Rogers shared anecdotes about the Nevada City lodge, its historic building, and the many community organizations that have used its facilities over the years. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session, during which Rogers answered questions about Odd Fellows rituals, membership, and the organization's role in modern society.

Created: January 20, 2011
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Rogers, Allan, "Odd Fellows and Aaron Sargent "
Speaker Nights, January 20, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18280

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18280

2011-05-19 - Nevada County Railroad Museum and the Empire Mine with John Christensen and Phil Oyung

Presenter: John Christensen and Phil Oyung
In the first part, John Christensen, director of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, presents a film about the history of the railroad. The film covers the railroad's construction, operation, and eventual closure, highlighting its role in transporting passengers and goods, particularly fruit and lumber. Christensen then shows a short clip of the museum's efforts to recover and restore Engine #5, a locomotive that was sold to Universal Studios and used in several films. He concludes by outlining the museum's ongoing car rebuilding program, showcasing photos and descriptions of various restored railroad cars and their historical significance.

In the second part, Phil Oyung, a docent at the Empire Mine, shares his family history and experiences growing up in a cabin behind the mine. He recounts his grandparents' immigration from China, his father's work as a gardener for the mine owners, and the close-knit community that developed around the mine. Oyung describes the challenges and rewards of life in a mining town, highlighting the camaraderie among workers and the ingenuity required to overcome obstacles. He also shares anecdotes about his family's interactions with prominent figures like William Bourn Jr. and the lasting impact of the Empire Mine on the region.

Created: May 19, 2011
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John Christensen and Phil Oyung. "Nevada County Railroad Museum and the Empire Mine "
Speaker Nights, May 19, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18277

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18277

2011-07-21 - Nevada County Cemeteries with Dennis Casella and Gary Plunket

Presenter: Dennis Casella and Gary Plunket
Dennis Casella, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Nevada Cemetery District, presented an overview of the district's current projects and responsibilities. The district is in the process of acquiring three new cemeteries: Deer Creek Cemetery, Elster Memorial Cemetery, and Cherokee Township Cemetery. They recently gained ownership of the historic Pioneer Cemetery in Nevada City after a long search for the deed. The Nevada Cemetery District, established in 1942, covers a large area and manages 28 public cemeteries. It is funded by property taxes and sales of plots and services. The district offers various burial options, including traditional in-ground burial, cremation, and scattering gardens. The board is committed to preserving the historic character of older cemeteries while developing new ones to meet the community's needs. District Manager Gary Plunkett provided details on specific cemeteries, highlighting their unique features and ongoing maintenance efforts. He also discussed challenges, such as the need for headstone restoration and tree management. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session addressing topics like record-keeping, endowment funds, and the complexities of cemetery ownership and maintenance.

Created: July 21, 2011
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Dennis Casella and Gary Plunket. "Nevada County Cemeteries "
Speaker Nights, July 21, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18276

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18276

2011-08-18 - Chinese History with Wally Hagaman

Presenter: Wally Hagaman
Wally Hagaman, the director of the Firehouse Museum in Nevada County, delivered a presentation on the history of Chinese medicine in the American West, focusing on the contributions of Chinese doctors during the Gold Rush era. He highlighted the challenges faced by early Chinese immigrants, including the lack of quality medical care available to them. Chinese doctors, with their 2,000-year-old medical knowledge, filled this gap by offering traditional treatments and herbal remedies. Hagaman shared stories of prominent Chinese doctors like Dr. Waukee in Grass Valley and Dr. Mao in North San Juan, who gained reputations for their effective treatments and community involvement. He also discussed the discrimination and violence faced by some Chinese communities, as exemplified by the tragic story of Dr. Mao and his wife. Hagaman emphasized the importance of recognizing the significant contributions of Chinese medicine to the history of healthcare in the American West.

Created: August 18, 2011
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Hagaman, Wally, "Chinese History"
Speaker Nights, August 18, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18259

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18259

2011-10-20 - Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park with Greg Sheer

Presenter: Greg Sheer
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park Ranger, Greg Sheer, who has worked in state parks since 1996, expresses his belief in the importance of public open spaces and his love for Malakoff Diggins. He emphasizes the park's rich history, diverse natural beauty, and educational value, highlighting events like the fishing derby and Humbug Days that engage the community and celebrate the park's heritage. Sheer discusses the challenges faced by the park, including the ongoing threat of closure due to budget cuts and the need for increased visitation. He outlines strategies to address these issues, such as reducing operating costs through solar power and propane generators, and stresses the importance of community support and advocacy in keeping the park open. Sheer concludes by sharing his personal experiences and anecdotes that demonstrate the park's unique character and the dedication of the people who work and volunteer there.

Created: October 20, 2011
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Sheer, Greg, "Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park "
Speaker Nights, October 20, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18274

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18274

2011-11-17 - Lake Tahoe, Beneath the Surface with Scott Lankford

Presenter: Scott Lankford
Scott Langford, a PhD holder from Stanford and author of "Tahoe Beneath the Surface," delivered a talk about the often-overlooked historical significance of Lake Tahoe. He emphasized that the lake played a crucial role in American history, particularly in the context of the Gold Rush, westward expansion, and the Civil War. Langford discussed the region's Native American history, highlighting the ancient artifacts and petroglyphs found in the area. He also touched upon the environmental challenges faced by Lake Tahoe, such as declining water clarity and the impact of development. Langford shared anecdotes about famous figures like John C. Fremont, Mark Twain, John Muir, and others who were connected to the lake's history. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of preserving Lake Tahoe's natural beauty and cultural heritage for future generations.

Created: November 17, 2011
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Lankford, Scott, "Lake Tahoe, Beneath the Surface "
Speaker Nights, November 17, 2011. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18272

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18272

2013-11-21 - History of Felix Gillet with Amigo Bob Cantisano

Presenter: Amigo Bob Cantisano
In a presentation about Felix Gillet, Amigo “Bob” Cantisano highlights Gillet's significant contributions to agriculture. Gillet, a French immigrant who settled in Nevada City, California, in the 1800s, established one of the first nurseries in the state. He introduced and propagated a wide variety of fruit and nut trees, including almonds, walnuts, chestnuts, figs, and grapes, many of which are still staples of California agriculture today. Cantisano emphasizes Gillet's horticultural expertise, noting his ability to coax growth out of plants in poor soil conditions and his extensive writings on agricultural practices. Additionally, Gillet played a role in local politics, serving as a city councilman and contributing to the establishment of the State Department of Horticulture. The Bob's personal connection to Gillet's work is evident as they discuss their efforts to identify and preserve heirloom varieties of fruits and nuts that trace back to Gillet's nursery. The Felix Gillet Institute, founded by Cantisano, aims to educate the public about Gillet's legacy and promote the cultivation of these heirloom plants. Cantisano concludes by highlighting the importance of preserving these resilient and historically significant plant varieties.

Related Items:

• Felix Gillet > Felix Gillet Institute Information (November 2013)
• Nevada County Historical Society Bulletins > Volume 016-4 - October 1962

Created: November 21, 2013
# of Slides/Images: 208
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Cantisano, Amigo Bob, "History of Felix Gillet"
Speaker Nights, November 21, 2013. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18266

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18266

2017-01-19 - Early California Steamships with Robert Chandler

Presenter: Robert Chandler
Robert Chandler, a historian who worked for Wells Fargo for 32 years, delivers a presentation on the various ways gold seekers and merchants traveled to Nevada County in the 1850s and 60s. He discussed three primary routes: the overland journey by wagon, which was slow and arduous, taking about three months; the sea voyage around Cape Horn, which could take an average of six months; and the steamship route, which was the fastest, taking 23 to 25 days. Chandler explained that steamships became a popular mode of transport due to U.S. government mail subsidies. He detailed the evolution of steamships, from the early vessels like the California, which carried more passengers than intended, to the later, larger ships like the Golden Gate and the Golden City. He also highlighted the risks associated with wooden steamships, particularly the danger of fire. Chandler shared several firsthand accounts from passengers, illustrating the experiences of traveling by steamship, including seasickness, cramped conditions, and the excitement of arriving in California. He also touched on the competition between steamship companies and the impact of the Panama Railroad on travel to California. The presentation concluded with a discussion of stagecoach travel and a Q&A session with the audience.

Created: January 19, 2017
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Chandler, Robert, "Early California Steamships"
Speaker Nights, January 19, 2017. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18262

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18262

2021-01-07 - Iron Women - Women Who Helped Build American Railroads with Chris Enss

Presenter: Chris Enss
Chris Enss, a historian who has written extensively about women in the American West, delivered a presentation for the Nevada County Historical Society. Her talk focused on her latest book, "Iron Women: Ladies Who Built the American Railroad." Enss highlighted the significant contributions of women to the development and success of the railroad, despite the prevailing belief at the time that women had no role in this industry. She discussed Eliza Murphy, who invented a device to improve rail wheel bearings, and Nancy P. Wilkerson, who invented the cattle car. Enss also spoke about Dr. Mary Pennington, who invented the refrigerator car, and Olive Dennis, who designed more comfortable and appealing train interiors. She emphasized the role of women in promoting train travel, highlighting Maryam Leslie, who organized a highly publicized train journey from New York to San Francisco and wrote a bestselling book about her experience. Enss also discussed Sarah Kidder, a local woman who successfully managed the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad after her husband's death. The presentation included stories of women who influenced the railroad in negative ways, such as Laura Bullion, a member of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch gang, who participated in a train robbery. Enss concluded by highlighting the Harvey Girls, a group of waitresses who worked in Fred Harvey's restaurants along the railroad, and Mary Coulter, an architect who designed many of the Harvey House depots and restaurants.

Created: January 7, 2021
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Enss, Chris, "Iron Women - Women Who Helped Build American Railroads "
Speaker Nights, January 7, 2021. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18271

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18271

2022-04-21 - Caine Search for Amelia Earhart with John Grebenkemper

Presenter: John Grebenkemper
In 2017 the National Geographic Society sponsored an expedition to the South Pacific to look for the remains of Amelia Earhart on an uninhabited island near the equator. Included in this expedition were four dogs specially trained to find old human remains. The expedition flew into Fiji and then boarded a ship for the 1100 mile trip to the isolated island of Nikumaroro.

This lecture will follow the difficulties of getting dogs into the Rabies free zone in the Pacific and working them in the tropical heat and humidity while surrounded by local wildlife who had never seen a dog. We will also show why Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan could have landed on this island 400 miles from their original destination of Howland Island. There will be numerous photographs from the expedition. Presenting will be John Grebenkemper and Kayle (who did all the actual work on the search!)

Created: April 21, 2022
# of Slides/Images: 96
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Grebenkemper, John, "Caine Search for Amelia Earhart"
Speaker Nights, April 21, 2022. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18257

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18257

2022-05-19 - Nevada City Nisenan and The Artwork of Henry B. Brown with Tanis Thorne and Hank Meals

Presenter: Tanis Thorne and Hank Meals
Tanis Thorne presented her research on the 19th-century artist Henry B. Brown, focusing on his drawings of the Nisenan people and landscapes in Nevada County, California. Brown's work is historically significant as it captures Native American culture just before the Gold Rush. Thorne's research involved piecing together Brown's travels using a map he marked, revealing previously unpublished drawings of Nevada City, Grass Valley, and the Yuba River. Brown's portraits of Nisenan leaders, including Chief Wima, are notable for their ethnographic accuracy and sympathetic portrayal of Native Americans. Thorne also discussed the challenges of preserving and interpreting Brown's drawings, many of which were done in pencil and have become illegible over time. Her work sheds light on a critical period in California history and the artistic legacy of Henry B. Brown.

Created: May 19, 2022
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Tanis Thorne and Hank Meals. "Nevada City Nisenan and The Artwork of Henry B. Brown "
Speaker Nights, May 19, 2022. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18275

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18275

2022-08-17 - Hellacious California - Tales of Rascality, Revelry, Dissipation, and Depravity with Gary Noy

Presenter: Gary Noy
Gary Noy, a retired professor from Sierra College shares his personal connection to the area, introducing his book, "Hellacious California," which explores the vices and darker aspects of 19th-century California. He explains that the rapid and intense changes during this period shaped the state's unique character, with a prevailing tradition of change. Noy highlights the prevalence of con artists during this time, using the story of Bertha Heyman, also known as the Confidence Queen, as an example. He recounts Heyman's audacious con artistry and her ability to manipulate the legal system, emphasizing the often quirky and unpredictable nature of law enforcement in early Gold Rush California. Noy concludes by discussing the challenges faced by lawyers in the absence of a well-established legal system, sharing anecdotes that illustrate the unconventional legal practices of the era.

Created: August 17, 2022
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Noy, Gary, "Hellacious California - Tales of Rascality, Revelry, Dissipation, and Depravity"
Speaker Nights, August 17, 2022. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18265

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18265

2022-10-20 - History of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital with Gage McKinney & Sandra Barrington

Presenter: Gage McKinney & Sandra Barrington
This is the history of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, as told by local historian, Gage McKinney and Sandra Barrington, Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation.

In 1904, 17-year-old Agnes Foote, daughter of a mine manager, died near Grass Valley from appendicitis. A young mining engineer remembered this and when many years later he became wealthy from gold mining, he dedicated his fortune to building a first-rate local hospital so no other young person would die like Agnes. This is one of the stories behind Sierra Nevada Memorial and the citizens who have made our local hospital more valuable than gold.

Join us for a fascinating story telling of the history of healthcare, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, and its gold mining roots. Learn now that history is still rooted in the Hospital since it was completed in 1958.

Created: October 20, 2022
# of Slides/Images: 39
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Gage McKinney & Sandra Barrington. "History of Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital"
Speaker Nights, October 20, 2022. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18267

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18267

2022-11-17 - The History of Engine #5 with Tim O'Brien

Presenter: Tim O'Brien
Follow the progress of Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Engine Number 5 from the NCHS's acquisition in 1985 through its glorious restoration to be completed in the coming weeks. We'll go from the backlot of Universal Studios to Nevada City, its many phases of display, parades, and ultimate return to steam, culminating in her miraculous and flawless operation alongside her sister locomotive, "Glenbrook" at a first of its kind reunion in Carson City, Nevada. Narration and photographs by Tim O'Brien.

Created: November 17, 2022
# of Slides/Images: 181
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O'Brien, Tim, "The History of Engine #5"
Speaker Nights, November 17, 2022. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18283

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18283

2023-01-18 - The Ways of Fiction Are Devious Indeed with Sands Hall

Presenter: Sands Hall
Local author, playwright and musician, Sands Hall presents "The Ways of Fiction Are Devious Indeed," exploring the controversy surrounding Wallace Stegner's use of the life and writing of Mary Hallock Foote in his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Angle of Repose.”

From a review of her play Fair Use by the The Sacramento Bee, Scene...

Created: January 18, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 4
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Hall, Sands, "The Ways of Fiction Are Devious Indeed"
Speaker Nights, January 18, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18285

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18285

2023-02-16 - English Dam Disaster of 1883 with Juan Browne

Presenter: Juan Browne
Weather permitting and the creek don't rise, by popular demand, Juan Browne from the world-famous "Blancolirio" You Tube Channel will provide a multimedia presentation for an evening of mystery and intrigue of the largest dam disaster in Nevada County History! Fresh off the heels of two years of reporting on the 2017 Oroville Spillway failure and rebuild, Browne uses his new found skills in water management to unearth the mystery of the epic English Dam Disaster of 1883 impacting towns as far away as Marysville and Yuba City.

Created: February 16, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 54
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Browne, Juan, "English Dam Disaster of 1883"
Speaker Nights, February 16, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18263

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18263

2023-04-20 - Traveling Photographers with Carl Mautz

Presenter: Carl Mautz
Nevada County Historical Society presents local author Carl Mautz who will be discussing his book titled “Biographies of Western Photographers – 2018 edition“. Traveling photography has long been recognized as a category for collecting 19th century photography, but who were the traveling photographers? Carl will touch first upon a photographer who visited Nevada County and then talk generally about the category of photographers who sought customers and provided services to the many who live away from urban centers. Presentation will include many historical photographs.

Created: April 20, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 30
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Mautz, Carl, "Traveling Photographers"
Speaker Nights, April 20, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18284

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18284

2023-07-23 - The Ditches of Nevada City with Dom Lindars

Presenter: Dom Lindars
For its first 100 years, everything in Nevada City revolved around gold. But this is not another book about finding gold. To get gold, you needed water — to pan for it, to blast away a hillside with a water cannon, or to turn the water wheel for your quartz-ore stamp mill. This book instead asks: Where did the water come from? It reveals the engineering marvels that brought water to Nevada City's dry hills from tens of miles away. But what if all the water in every ravine, creek and valley around Nevada City was controlled by just three men? Well, for three decades, every miner, farmer or business had to buy water from the South Yuba Canal Company. What would happen if you got into an argument with them? Or couldn't afford to pay their water bill? Or even dared to compete with them?

The book traces the ingenuity and hard work of the town's miners and ditch builders, highlighting the origins of various local neighborhoods, including Nevada City, Willow Valley, Gold Flat, Selby Flat (near Sugar Loaf Mountain), Rough and Ready, Randolph Flat (now Bitney Corner), Alpha, Omega, Blue Tent, Cement Hill, Hirschman's Pond, Manzanita Diggings, and Scotts Flat.

What began as a search to uncover a sprawling network of old ditches, turned into a collection of never-before-told stories of the gold miners, the ruthless and greedy ditch company, and the rivals that it crushed. The domineering ditch company later enabled the next generation of monopoly to provide electrical power. This, in turn, led to the now more forward-looking stewardship of the Nevada Irrigation District.

The unique format of this book blends beautiful archival images with more than 35 in-depth biographies of key figures in Nevada City. This 884 page hardcover book includes over 600 full-color illustrations, including 200 historic photographs and 75 hand-crafted maps based on modern lidar technology that reveal the locations of the old mining ditches, flumes, mines and tunnels. For more information, please visit the website, nevadacityhistory.com.

About Dom Lindars: Dom Lindars is a historian and genealogist with a passion for storytelling and discovering unsung heroes. He grew up in England and moved to the Bay Area in 1995, where he worked in high-tech. A resident of Nevada City since 2013, he started writing in 2019.

Created: July 23, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 75
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Lindars, Dom, "The Ditches of Nevada City"
Speaker Nights, July 23, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18260

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18260

2023-08-18 - American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West with Lynn Downey

Presenter: Lynn Downey
Nevada County Historical Society is pleased to present Lynn Downey who is an award-winning historian, novelist, and consulting archivist. With an introduction by author Chris Enss.

Lynn’s presentation is about her latest book, American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West (on Amazon), which came out in 2022. Lynn gave lectures about the book at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, the Rockmount Ranchwear clothing store in Denver, at the Angeles Camp Museum here in California, and in many venues around the state of Arizona. She will talk about the fascinating and sometimes hilarious history of the dude ranch, and will also show slides of historic places, people, and advertising.

About Lynn Downey: She was the company Historian for Levi Strauss & Co. in San Francisco for 25 years, and wrote the first biography of the founder, which was published in 2016: Levi Strauss: The Man Who Gave Blue Jeans to the World. Her interest in dude ranching began when she worked for Levi’s, which made clothing for dudes in the 1930s and 1940s. Her debut novel, Dudes Rush In, is set on a fictional Arizona dude ranch in the 1950s and won the Will Rogers Medallion Award and the New Mexico-Arizona book award. The sequel, Dude or Die, comes out this October.

Lynn retired from Levi Strauss & Co. in 2014 and now consults with museums, libraries, corporations, and historical societies on archives and historic preservation. Her California clients include Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford, Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, and the Tomales Regional History Center in Marin County. Her Arizona clients include the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, and the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe in Lake Havasu City.

She is the president of Women Writing the West, the co-chair of Advocates for the Sonoma County Archives, and is on the board of the Frank Lloyd Wright Marin County Civic Center Conservancy, and Friends of California Archives.

Created: August 18, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 41
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Downey, Lynn, "American Dude Ranch: A Touch of the Cowboy and the Thrill of the West"
Speaker Nights, August 18, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18255

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18255

2023-09-21 - Nevada City's Historic Pine Grove Cemetery with Brian Suwada

Presenter: Brian Suwada
Their Spirits Took Flight is a fascinating look at the “residents” of Nevada City’s Pine Grove Cemetery. This beautiful book is produced in a beautiful hard-cover binding with high-quality paper and fascinating biographies and information. As you turn every page, you will get to know centuries’ worth of people whom might otherwise have been forgotten.

The book relates the history of Nevada City through the lives of some of the earliest pioneers. You’ll meet veterans of various wars, congressmen and other public officials, people who worked as domestics, miners, teamsters, and in the saw mills and local bordellos; all of whom left this Earth between 1854 – 1961. Their stories are here, featuring over 3,600 biographical sketches and more than 140 photographs and other images. The book includes a directory of pioneers and early citizens residing within, a cemetery map, and touches upon cemetery symbolism and death related customs of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Brian will introduce the audience to Pine Grove Cemetery, and some of the people interred there, whose lives parallel ours, yet we will never personally know. This talk will include slides of the cemetery and photos of a few of its permanent residents. The topic may not be suitable for everyone.

About Brian Suwada: Brian Suwada, a retired librarian, was born in Sacramento and currently lives in Rancho Mirage, California. He has many relatives interred in Nevada City’s Pine Grove Cemetery. Brian entertains and fascinates readers with every sentence and phrase. Meticulous in his research, he adds a touch of heart and soul so that his readers are informed and engaged.

Created: September 21, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 75
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Suwada, Brian, "Nevada City's Historic Pine Grove Cemetery"
Speaker Nights, September 21, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18282

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18282

2023-10-19 - Railroads of Nevada County with Andrew Brandon

Presenter: Andrew Brandon
Andrew Brandon will present a look at historic photographs from his book “Railroads of Nevada County”, which was released in 2018. The book presents a brief history of eleven different railroads that operated within Nevada County from 1866 – 1996. For nearly 20 years Andrew has been researching the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad and collecting photographs and documents for an upcoming book on the railroad. The material collected for “Railroads of Nevada County” was born out of this research including many photographs which have not been published before.

About Andrew Brandon: Andrew Brandon is an author, historian, and preservation consultant from Grass Valley. Andrew is also a longtime member of the NCHS and volunteers at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City he currently serves as the curator.

Created: October 19, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 94
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Brandon, Andrew, "Railroads of Nevada County"
Speaker Nights, October 19, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18278

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18278

2023-11-16 - The Historic Sluice Box with David Lawler and Hank Meals

Presenter: David Lawler and Hank Meals
Nevada County Historical Society is pleased to present David Lawler, geologist and Hank Meals historian, speaking on "The Sluice Box": The most commonplace gold recovery tool of the 19th century.

Included will be a slide show presentation on the sluice, a gold recovery device that was used everywhere in the mines. And, recently, an “atmospheric river” revealed a sophisticated streamside sluice that’s been buried for over 150 years. The sluice has provided a lot of information on 19th century mining techniques, and it has been salvaged to soon provide an exhibit for the Nevada County Historical Society History Center. Don’t miss this resourceful adventure story.

Created: November 16, 2023
# of Slides/Images: 4
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David Lawler and Hank Meals. "The Historic Sluice Box"
Speaker Nights, November 16, 2023. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18268

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18268

2024-01-18 - On the Trail of Gold Rush Artist Henry B. Brown in Nisenan Country with Tanis Thorne

Presenter: Tanis Thorne
In the course of doing research on her 2022 book The Nevada City Nisenan, Tanis Thorne uncovered new information about gold rush artist Henry B. Brown. Though Brown's artistic renderings of landscapes and Native people have only recently come to light, his work is highly acclaimed for its ethnographic accuracy and artistic merit.

His portfolio includes drawings of landscapes, mining activity, and Native people, plus sketches and finished drawings done in Nevada City, Grass Valley, and the Empire Ranch/Union Ranch near present-day Smartsville. Thorne is excited to share Brown's drawings created during his repeated trips to Nevada County in 1851-1852 —some never seen or published before —and to tell the intriguing story of Brown and the excitement and foibles of doing research in archival collections.

This presentation is a reprise of the May 2022 Speaker Night presentation, where there were technical issues with the projector.

About Tanis Thorne: In her Thorne’s long career as a college professor, Thorne primarily taught courses on Native Americans. Her research specialization was California Indians. Curiosity about the local Indian people of her adopted home, Nevada City, has resulted in a number of publications about the Nisenan and their reservation or “rancheria” on Cement Hill. A retiree with deepening interest in Nevada County history, she is now completing a book, “Between Gold Cities” with co-author Vince Seck on recreation in the Glenbrook Basin from the gold rush to the 1950s.

Created: January 18, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 94
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Thorne, Tanis, "On the Trail of Gold Rush Artist Henry B. Brown in Nisenan Country"
Speaker Nights, January 18, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18281

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18281

2024-02-08 - California, A Slave State with Jean Pfaelzer

Presenter: Jean Pfaelzer
The untold history of slavery and resistance in California, from the Spanish missions, indentured Native American ranch hands, Indian boarding schools, Black miners, kidnapped Chinese prostitutes, and convict laborers to victims of modern trafficking.

California owes its origins and sunny prosperity to slavery. Spanish invaders captured Indigenous people to build the chain of Catholic missions. Russian otter hunters shipped Alaska Natives—the first slaves transported into California—and launched a Pacific slave triangle to China. Plantation slaves were marched across the plains for the Gold Rush. San Quentin Prison incubated California’s carceral state. Kidnapped Chinese girls were sold in caged brothels in early San Francisco. Indian boarding schools supplied new farms and hotels with unfree child workers.

By looking west to California, Jean Pfaelzer upends our understanding of slavery as a North-South struggle and reveals how the enslaved in California fought, fled, and resisted human bondage. In unyielding research and vivid interviews, Pfaelzer exposes how California gorged on slavery, an appetite that persists today in a global trade in human beings lured by promises of jobs but who instead are imprisoned in sweatshops and remote marijuana grows, or sold as nannies and sex workers.

Slavery shreds California’s utopian brand, rewrites our understanding of the West, and redefines America’s uneasy paths to freedom.

Created: February 8, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 54
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Pfaelzer, Jean, "California, A Slave State"
Speaker Nights, February 8, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18258

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18258

2024-03-21 - The Doctor Was a Woman with Chris Enss

Presenter: Chris Enss
"No women need apply."
Western towns looking for a local doctor during the frontier era often concluded their advertisements in just that manner. Yet apply they did. And in small towns all over the West, highly trained women from medical colleges in the East took on the post of local doctor to great acclaim. In this new book, author Chris Enss offers a glimpse into the fascinating lives of ten amazing women, including the first female surgeon of Texas, the first female doctor to be convicted of manslaughter in an abortion-related maternal death, and the first woman physician to serve on a State Board of Health.

The Doctor Was a Woman is available at fine bookstores everywhere, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and nbnbooks.com. Visit chrisenss.com for more information.

Created: March 21, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 1
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Enss, Chris, "The Doctor Was a Woman"
Speaker Nights, March 21, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18261

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18261

2024-04-18 - Nevada County Stories in Videos & Books with Lisa Redfern

Presenter: Lisa Redfern
In a series of short videos, we’ll explore Deer Creek Watershed natural history, the social commentary of Jennie Carter, an early female pioneer, and learn about a recently published book that tells a story of Chinese railroad workers at Donner Summit.

Aerial Views & History of the Deer Creek Watershed 30:00 min
Explore Deer Creek’s history and geography from the air, land, and water. Along the entire 34-mile journey, you’ll see vignettes of the plants and animals that live there.

Jennie Carter, Nevada City Journalist 10:00 min
Jennie Carter lived in Nevada City in the late 1860s, and wrote social commentary essays that were published in The Elevator, a San Francisco black newspaper. This video highlights a small portion of Carter’s work and was created to accompany a series of blog posts on FollowingDeerCreek.com.

Crossing: A Chinese Family Railroad Novel 2:15 min
Crossing is a vividly human re-imagining of the love, sacrifices, and history that laid tracks for the North America of today. Leaving behind ancestral Chinese homelands and their family, brothers Yang and Lee face harrowing challenges as they join countless immigrants seeking a better life in the 1860s. This story follows their remarkable journey across the ocean to San Francisco, then into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where they’ll labor to build the Transcontinental Railroad.

Visit LittleMountainPublishing.biz for details.

About Lisa Redfern: Lisa Redfern is a lifelong storyteller who enjoys the challenge of working in different mediums to convey them. For her first twenty years in Nevada County she was part of the Redfern Studio team that contracted with the local high schools to create and deliver senior portraits for yearbooks. “The heart of the art isn’t the camera,” Redfern says, “it is connecting with clients, so they relax. The second part is genuine curiosity about what’s important to them.”
In the early 2010s, Lisa focused her people skills on interviewing experts for her Deer Creek Watershed project and developed custom genealogy heritage videos for online family tree builders. She produces videos and podcasts for Sierra College Press and has a series of Hiking and History Self Guided Tours for various locations throughout Nevada and El Dorado Counties. MANY more are in the works!

A voracious reader, Redfern also writes books. Her fourth title, Crossing: A Chinese Family Railroad Novel, was published in February. Elements of California history, humorous animal antics, and appreciating often overlooked aspects of life are themes in all of them.

Created: April 18, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 1
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Redfern, Lisa, "Nevada County Stories in Videos & Books"
Speaker Nights, April 18, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18279

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18279

2024-05-16 - The History of the Fowler Family in Nevada County with Rick Cooper

Presenter: Rick Cooper
This presentation will trace the classic emigrant story of the 1849 Gold Rush, settlement in California and homesteading in Nevada County. It will detail the journey of five generations of the Fowler family in the timber and lumber business culminating with the current B&C Home Center in Glenbrook Basin. The story is set against the development of Western Nevada County and the emigrant story will be familiar to many of our pioneer families. The story is told by Richard Cooper, son of Shirley Fowler and George Cooper.

Created: May 16, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 24
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Cooper, Rick, "The History of the Fowler Family in Nevada County"
Speaker Nights, May 16, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18264

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18264

2024-06-20 - The History of the South Yuba Canal with Dom Lindars

Presenter: Dom Lindars
Today, much of the water for western Nevada County is transported from the high country along the South Yuba Canal. This became particularly apparent in February 2024, when a rockside just below Lake Spaulding, damaged 240 feet of the canal’s 50-inch diameter steel pipe. Combined with a badly timed leak inside a tunnel at the Spaulding powerhouse, this stopped the precious flow to Nevada City and Grass Valley of more than 100 million gallons of water a day.

This talk will take a look at the origins of the canal, the fight over how it came to be built and the mammoth engineering that was involved.

At the time the South Yuba Canal was built in the late 1850s, its 2½-year construction was heralded as the “most extensive and costly enterprise” in California. Some people thought it was a financial scam run by rogues. You’ll hear how the entire concept, the water rights, its planned route and even its name was stolen from the original founders. There followed a battle of words and a battle of wills, a near-violent confrontation with 60 gold miners, claims of trespassing and counter lawsuits, all spanning nearly 20 years. Building the canal involved blasting out a mile of vertical cliff ledge, building 7 miles of flume, digging 8 miles of ditch and blasting a 3,000-foot tunnel. This was all while the ruthless and greedy South Yuba Canal Company worked out how to crush its rivals to establish a monopoly over all the water for gold mining in Nevada City and Grass Valley.

This story is taken from the award winning book, The Ditches of Nevada City, whose unique format blends beautiful archival images with more than 35 in-depth biographies of key figures in Nevada City. This 884 page hardcover book includes over 600 full-color illustrations, including 200 historic photographs and 75 hand-crafted maps based on modern lidar technology that reveal the locations of the old mining ditches, flumes, mines and tunnels. For more information, please visit the website.

Amazon Reviews
“Local history in full color, author Dom Lindars has captured Nevada County’s volatile past, in our ditches, in our gold-fever and other influences. Is it a reference book? A history book? Or a fascinating encyclopedia of challenging times long gone? Each time I turn a page, I change my mind – and I learn something new. It’s attractive enough to be a “coffee-table book,” but its content runs deep. Meticulously researched, it’s full of eye-opening, sometimes quirky facts. It’s a book that deserves pride of place on any history buff’s bookshelf.” – Local GV Author

“This book is absolutely essential to anyone interested in the history of Nevada City, California. It is physically a massive tome; with almost 900 pages full of thick, high-quality glossy paper. The history of the ditches is presented in a very readable and engaging format, supplemented with an enormous quantity of full-color photographs. Dom Lindars has truly created a masterpiece for posterity with this impeccably researched book that is both engaging and entertaining. Mr. Lindars is clearly passionate about history, engineering, accuracy of facts, and a true love for this locale. Although it isn’t physical gold, Dom Lindars has created this absolute treasure with words.” – Nevada County resident.

About Dom Lindars: Dom Lindars is a historian and retired software engineer. He grew up in England and moved to the Bay Area in 1995, where he worked in high-tech. A resident of Nevada City since 2013, he started writing in 2019. Today he manages the Nevada County Historical Society website, helping to share the county’s amazing history with everyone online. In 2023, Dom was awarded NCHS’s “Citizen of the Year” for his contributions to the Society and to local history in the community.

Created: June 20, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 59
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Lindars, Dom, "The History of the South Yuba Canal"
Speaker Nights, June 20, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18269

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18269

2024-07-18 - The Life and Times of Ada Mills Young with Teresa Baker & Linda Jack

Presenter: Teresa Baker & Linda Jack
On the morning of Saturday, February 20, 1904, the San Francisco Call reported that the appearance of a pretty young woman in the doorway of the officers’ quarters of Army Captain Charles S. Young had caused quite a sensation at the Presidio. Any gossip was soon quieted when it was learned that on the night of February 18 th the 39-year-old bachelor had taken a wife in a simple ceremony at the home of the bride’s aunt. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Otho E. Jones of the First AME Church of Oakland and witnessed by some of Young’s 9th Cavalry enlisted troopers and family members of the bride.

As the highest-ranking African American officer in the Regular Army at the time, Captain Young’s reputation was widely known in Northern California. Young was only the third Black man to graduate from West Point. He served in the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments-the so-called Buffalo Soldiers-during the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War and the incursion into Mexico to capture Pancho Villa. In May 1903 Young led the troops of the 9th Cavalry that served as the honor guard for President Theodore Roosevelt during his visit to San Francisco, and in that summer Young would become the first African American national park Superintendent when he and his troops were tasked to manage and maintain Sequoia National Park.

Captain Young’s bride was Ada Mills. Sixteen years her husband’s junior, Ada had been born in Grass Valley in 1880 at the modest Townsend Street home of her paternal grandparents, Edward and Jane Mills. Yet despite her youth and lack of prominence, she had already shown a resiliency, intelligence and spirt that may have captivated her new bridegroom. Although she has been neglected by the history books, Ada lived an exemplary life of service: working in partnership with her husband in his military and diplomatic careers, maintaining their homes as centers of learning and culture, educating their children to be cosmopolitan citizens and educators, and teaching and nurturing generations of Black college students.

Please join us to learn more about the life and times of Ada Mills Young.

Created: July 18, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 19
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Teresa Baker & Linda Jack. "The Life and Times of Ada Mills Young"
Speaker Nights, July 18, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18273

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18273

2024-08-15 - An Abolitionist, A Southern Secessionist & Frontier Vengeance Along the Oregon Trail with Josie Smith

Presenter: Josie Smith
Five years after fiery abolitionist John Brown was hanged in 1859 for his failed raid on Harper's Ferry Arsenal, his wife Mary, three daughters, and son Salmon traveled overland by wagon to start a new life in Red Bluff, California. Author Josie Smith will be sharing about their journey that nearly ended in disaster on the Oregon Trail when a wagon train of "Tennessee rebels of the worst kind" discovered who they were and chased them along the trail.


The Brown family and subsequent historical journal and newspaper articles never identified these "Tennessee rebels" or why they doggedly pursued the Browns until now. This presentation by Josie Smith will present her research that finally reveals their surprising identity and the real reason behind the tension between the two wagon trains, which had nothing to do with the abolitionist movement.


This story spans pivotal moments in United States history and reaches back to the crown of England. It's also a story about links. Several years after their near fatal encounter along the trail, both families were destined to meet again as they set roots in Northern California.

About Josie Smith: Josie Smith is an author, editor and researcher with the Association for Northern California Historical Research (ANCHR) and also works at the Tehama County Genealogical & Historical Society (TCG&HS) and with the Tehama County Heritage and Historical Records Commission.

Created: August 15, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 52
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Smith, Josie, "An Abolitionist, A Southern Secessionist & Frontier Vengeance Along the Oregon Trail"
Speaker Nights, August 15, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18256

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=18256

2024-10-17 - Ghost Towns of Nevada County with Bernie Zimmerman

Presenter: Bernie Zimmerman
For our October Speaker Night, Nevada County Historical Society is pleased to hear from local author Bernie Zimmerman who will talk about his book, Ghost Towns of Nevada County and featuring the history of our local ghost towns and their cemeteries. His book contains histories of 38 ghost towns and Bernie's talk will share the history of several ghost towns whose cemeteries remain today.

Created: October 17, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 51
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Zimmerman, Bernie, "Ghost Towns of Nevada County"
Speaker Nights, October 17, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20353

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20353

2024-11-21 - History of Lake Olympia & Glenbrook Park with Tanis Thorne and Vince Seck

Presenter: Tanis Thorne and Vince Seck
For over a hundred years— from the 1850s to the 1950s — the Glenbrook Basin was the center of recreation for Nevada County, and indeed the region. Glenbrook Park featured a world-class racetrack for horses, one mile in length and forty feet wide. Horses from across the state raced here in the glory days in the 1880s and 1890s.

"Once upon a time, there was a world-class racetrack there. And later a lake in the pines. There was an island in that lake and a dance pavilion on that island. On a summer's night Japanese lanterns shone on a wooden bridge that led to the pavilion where moonlight dancing called in three-quarter time to the town nearby."

Olympia Park, better known as Lake Olympia, was a popular resort featuring boating, swimming, music, dancing, and picnicking from 1901 to 1958. In its heyday, nationally known jazz and swing bands played at Lake Olympia's island dance floor. Glenbrook Park and Olympia Park were beloved places of entertainment as well as a source of pride for Nevada County residents.

On Thursday, November 21st, Vince Seck and Tanis Thorne will do a presentation on their new book, Lake Olympia and Glenbrook Park: Recreation Between Gold Cities, 1851-1958. Vince Seck's family-owned Lake Olympia during the 1950s. For decades Vince has been keeping the memory of the lake resort alive. This richly illustrated book is based upon first-hand knowledge and newspaper articles.

Created: November 21, 2024
# of Slides/Images: 3
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Tanis Thorne and Vince Seck. "History of Lake Olympia & Glenbrook Park"
Speaker Nights, November 21, 2024. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20354

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20354

2025-01-16 - San Juan Ridge Tapestry Project with Bruce Boyd and Jennifer Rains Crosby

Presenter: Bruce Boyd and Jennifer Rains Crosby
For our January 16th presentation starting at 7:00 PM, we will hear from Bruce Boyd and Jennifer Rains Crosby who will be sharing on the origin and historical detail of the San Juan Ridge Tapestry Project. A PowerPoint presentation will provide images and details of all twelve tapestries.

The San Juan Ridge Tapestries are a group of twelve individual tapestries depicting the rich history of the San Juan Ridge from prehistoric times to recent cultural institutions created by and for the San Juan Ridge Community. The project was conceived and executed by a group of dedicated women and men of the San Juan Ridge beginning in 2007. Materials and techniques were modeled on the Bayeux Tapestry, a 1,000 year old Medieval tapestry in France celebrating the war of 1066. Each tapestry is embroidered by hand on linen from full size background drawings. Each tapestry illustrates a specific chapter in the history of the ridge community.

The San Juan Ridge Tapestries represent the living history of the San Juan Ridge. There are thousands of hours of hand stitchery using fine woolen yarns by men and women of the community in weekly stitching sessions from 2007 to 2022. Originally created to be housed in the North Columbia School, to wrap around all walls of the main classroom space. The Tapestry is now stored in a climate controlled and fire safe archive. It is available to be displayed in the schoolhouse or other venues from time to time. The last showing was at the June 2024 meeting of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission at the North Columbia Schoolhouse.

Created: January 16, 2025
# of Slides/Images: 29
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Bruce Boyd and Jennifer Rains Crosby. "San Juan Ridge Tapestry Project"
Speaker Nights, January 16, 2025. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20356

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20356

2025-02-20 - Nevada County Courthouse with Steve Fry, Dakota Stroh and Cathy Wilcox-Barnes

Presenter: Steve Fry, Dakota Stroh and Cathy Wilcox-Barnes
You see it every time you approach Nevada City. A beautiful structure sitting atop a hill overlooking the town. The Nevada County Courthouse. You may have passed through the metal detectors to report for Jury Duty. You may have registered to vote there or recorded a deed when it still housed the County governmental offices. Have you ever wondered about that building? What the backstory is? If only walls could talk. Well, maybe the walls can't talk but at the Nevada County Historical Society's Speaker night, those walls will have representatives speaking for them. Join us Thursday evening, February 20, 2025, to learn and be entertained with details about the history of the building, fun facts about events that happened in it and famous people who walked the halls and first-hand accounts from citizens who worked or did business in it and why it is important to preserve it.

Created: February 20, 2025
# of Slides/Images: 48
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Steve Fry, Dakota Stroh and Cathy Wilcox-Barnes. "Nevada County Courthouse"
Speaker Nights, February 20, 2025. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20355

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20355

2025-03-20 - We Are Not Strangers Here - African American Histories in Rural California with Susan D. Anderson

Presenter: Susan D. Anderson
During the Gold Rush and continuing through today, Californians have been part and parcel of rural areas. While it is widely recognized that many Black people who migrated to California moved into booming cities, African Americans are not strangers to rural California. Rural Black residents opened schools, worked the land, and exercised vigilance about the equal rights of citizens. Over successive migrations in the 19th-and 20th-centuries, generations settled in agricultural and rural areas from as far north as Siskiyou County, here in Nevada County, to the Central Valley and the Imperial Valley in the South. Please join us for a lively evening with Susan D. Anderson, History Curator and Program Manager at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. Susan is an accomplished and highly respected public historian of the African American history of California and the West, whose research culminated in the creation of the exhibit We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California. Now on display at the Rood Center, and open through April 18th, the exhibit is sponsored by the Nevada County Arts Council's Art in Public Spaces Program in partnership with the Nevada County Historical Society, Nevada County and through a generous gift from Floyd and Judy Sam.

Created: March 20, 2025
# of Slides/Images: 29
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Anderson, Susan D., "We Are Not Strangers Here - African American Histories in Rural California"
Speaker Nights, March 20, 2025. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20357

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20357

2025-04-17 - American Burial Ground - A New History of the Overland Trail with Sarah Keyes

Presenter: Sarah Keyes
Historian Sarah Keyes discusses her book, American Burial Ground: A New History of the Overland Trail. American Burial Ground places death at the center of the history of the Overland Trail and, in doing so, offers a sweeping and long overdue reinterpretation of this historic touchstone. Keyes discusses how emigrant graves became seeds of U.S. possession across the West and how Native peoples defended their homelands by pointing to their graves as proofs of Indigenous persistence and enduring territorial claims.

Sarah Keyes is a historian of the United States. She specializes in the 19th century and the history of the U.S. West with a focus on the environment and intercultural interactions between Indigenous peoples and Euro-Americans. Her recent book, which was supported by a Donald J. Sterling Jr. Fellowship at the Oregon Historical Society, explores these topics along the overland trails to Oregon and California in the mid-19th century. Keyes has also begun work on her second project, a regional and transnational study of suffrage in the U.S. West, for which she was recently awarded a Mellon-Schlesinger Summer Research Grant from the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University.. Sarah is an Associate Professor of History, University of Reno, Nevada.

Created: April 17, 2025
# of Slides/Images: 43
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Keyes, Sarah, "American Burial Ground - A New History of the Overland Trail"
Speaker Nights, April 17, 2025. Searls Historical Library, https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20352

Link: https://archive.nevadacountyhistory.org/search/?Id=20352