Volume 032-4 - October 1978 (8 pages)

During these years it became known as the Cultural Museun, but is now simply call the Firehouse Museum. In 1967 the Mining Museum was established in Grass Valley under the expert supervision of Director Glenn Jones, ably assisted by Steve Cheleski, Bob Gates and Arlie Hansen. The North Star Power House as it is called is now considered one of the finest museums on mining in Northern California. “A law-office museum is located across the street from the Court House .at 214 Church Street, Nevada City, in connection with the Historical Library. This display depicts the Searls Law office of 1872. Since Dr. Hjalmer Berg took over the Museum Chairmanship in 1972, three Bicentennial museums have been added. One is located on the second floor of the South Yuba Canal Building, Nevada City, one at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent in Grass Valley, and the third, a Walk-Around Museum, a replica of Nevada City’s firehouse No. 1, is located on the Fairgrounds. Rebecca Miller, Director of these museums has dedicated herself to their development, and has given the public added pleasure as well as further insight into Nevada County history. One of the Historical Museums first policies required that articles displayed were of Nevada County origin or belonged to a Nevada County pioneer, but of recent years, Mother Lode artifacts or goldrush relics are acceptable. Programs are varied, entertaining and educational. One of the most memorable was the “Cornish Night” at the Lady Jane Manor Resort, when Ernest Hocking provided good Cornish stories, fine music and traditions of the Cornish miners which contributed to the development of Nevada County. Then there was the ‘‘Old Fashion Show,” headed by Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Jefford, which emphasized the costumes and flavor of the Gold-Rush Era. Twenty volunteers from various organizations modeled creations dating back to 1800. There were musical selections, a clever pantomine and the evening ended with a barbershop quartet. More than 100 members and guests of the Historical Society attended the special two-hour centennial program in 1949 at the Nevada City Elementary School when the ‘Nuggeteers,” a Nevada County dance group headed by Grace Raymond, Dorothy Dyke and Dr. Daniel Hirsch featured “California in Song and Dance’”’. Bob Paine served as narrator, recounting the colorful history of early California. With each story, a song and dance number, typical of the county from which it emanated was presented. Flags of the countries formed an appropriate background for the colorful costumes exhibited. Songs and dances honored the Spanish, English, Russian, Mexican, Chinese, and Irish, all of whom played an important role in the founding of California. Many will remember the Grass Valley Carol Choir’s entertainment headed by Harold George, who briefly 24. ELMER STEVENS FIRST PRESIDENT 1945 1946 1949 sketched the story of Cornish singing in Grass Valley. The Cornish miners brought to this region not only their knowledge of hard-rock mining but also their inborn love for song. This is but a sampling of the volunteered talent which has brought so much enjoyment to an appreciative Historical Society audience. Summer excursions have been pretty consistent. The first one toCamp Far West in 1948 was inspired by O.H. Renner, Post Engineer at Camp Beale, who, through diligent research had uncovered the names of five military dead buried at Camp Far West in 1850, and suggested to the Society that a bronze plaque with their names be added to the Native Sons monument already there. Headed by Edmond Kinyon, sixty-five members and guests left in cars from the American Legion building in Grass Valley on the morning of April 27th, first stopping at the McCourtney Bridge built by four counties, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter and Placer that roughly cornered there. The group visited the old town of Spenceville, rebuilt as a German village and used for training maneuvers, and then went on tothe site ISABEL HEFELFINGERPRESIDENT 1950 1951 1964 of Johnson’s Rancho, identified only by a large oak tree. It was here that the remnants of the Donner Party’s Forelorn Hope found refuge. Next was the site of Camp Far West on the Bear River, instituted in 1849. United States soldiers were stationed there nearly two years. General James R., Weaver, Camp Beale Commandant had taken a deep interest in this drab repository of American soldiers, and after the dedication of the plaque, the Historical group was invited to a full course dinner at Camp Beale’s officers mess at the end of the tour. The Alder Valley excursion, a combined E Clampus Vitus and Historical Society effort, under the leadership of Al Trivelpiece and President Elza Kilroy, was one of the most impressive. Here they were met by Douglas Barrett and his group from Truckee and dedicated a plaque where the families of George and Jacob Donner hurriedly put up brush tents during the tragic winter of 1846. There have been many delightful excursions. Some may remember the famished group that enjoyed a lunch of hot beans, rolls and coffee at Relief Hill, and resting on the heavy blanket of pine needles before going on. Many have asked what makes these excursions so successful. Among the reasons noted is the fact that everyone can go just by appearing at the designated loading zone; and enjoy the interest and informality of the group at historical spots. Many contribute short stories. Most ofall, the congenial companionship enjoyed hx» all who attend. Bob Paine, who guia many of these excursions, was a mosv cordial host as well as guide, ' circulating among the crowd, and keeping everyone in a humorous mood. For the California State Centennial, the year of 1948, ’49 and ’50, Earl Covey of Grass Valley was appointed by Governor Earl Warren as a member of the State Centennial Committee to head the celebrations in Nevada County. The Historical Society assisted in the production of “Gold Days,” the first large scale historical pageant ever produced here. Elmer Stevens wrote the script of five historical episodes as follows: ‘“‘The Boston (Ravine) Party,’ “Lola Montez and Lotta Crabtree,” “The Miners,” ‘Rough and Ready,” and “The Cornish Miner.” A cast of one hundred, plus the members of Redmen Lodge in their Indian costumes, were directed by Theodore Mathieson. Complete stage sets were built on the Hennessy School grounds. They were mounted on wheels and were made available by Bill Carey of the Scotia Mine. Ed Granholm drove the same stage coach he once drove to Washington. Enthusiastically viewed by 1500 during the July 4th celebration of 1947, it was considered to make the Calvacade into an annual extravaganze™) Earl Covey also headed the “Gs Discovery Fiesta” at the Veterai, Memorial Building on the night c January 24, 1948. This celebration included a 49’er ball, booths, concessions and exhibits, profits from

During these years it became known as the Cultural Museun, but is now simply call the Firehouse Museum. In 1967 the Mining Museum was established in Grass Valley under the expert supervision of Director Glenn Jones, ably assisted by Steve Cheleski, Bob Gates and Arlie Hansen. The North Star Power House as it is called is now considered one of the finest museums on mining in Northern California. “A law-office museum is located across the street from the Court House .at 214 Church Street, Nevada City, in connection with the Historical Library. This display depicts the Searls Law office of 1872. Since Dr. Hjalmer Berg took over the Museum Chairmanship in 1972, three Bicentennial museums have been added. One is located on the second floor of the South Yuba Canal Building, Nevada City, one at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent in Grass Valley, and the third, a Walk-Around Museum, a replica of Nevada City’s firehouse No. 1, is located on the Fairgrounds. Rebecca Miller, Director of these museums has dedicated herself to their development, and has given the public added pleasure as well as further insight into Nevada County history. One of the Historical Museums first policies required that articles displayed were of Nevada County origin or belonged to a Nevada County pioneer, but of recent years, Mother Lode artifacts or goldrush relics are acceptable. Programs are varied, entertaining and educational. One of the most memorable was the “Cornish Night” at the Lady Jane Manor Resort, when Ernest Hocking provided good Cornish stories, fine music and traditions of the Cornish miners which contributed to the development of Nevada County. Then there was the ‘‘Old Fashion Show,” headed by Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Jefford, which emphasized the costumes and flavor of the Gold-Rush Era. Twenty volunteers from various organizations modeled creations dating back to 1800. There were musical selections, a clever pantomine and the evening ended with a barbershop quartet. More than 100 members and guests of the Historical Society attended the special two-hour centennial program in 1949 at the Nevada City Elementary School when the ‘Nuggeteers,” a Nevada County dance group headed by Grace Raymond, Dorothy Dyke and Dr. Daniel Hirsch featured “California in Song and Dance’”’. Bob Paine served as narrator, recounting the colorful history of early California. With each story, a song and dance number, typical of the county from which it emanated was presented. Flags of the countries formed an appropriate background for the colorful costumes exhibited. Songs and dances honored the Spanish, English, Russian, Mexican, Chinese, and Irish, all of whom played an important role in the founding of California. Many will remember the Grass Valley Carol Choir’s entertainment headed by Harold George, who briefly 24. ELMER STEVENS FIRST PRESIDENT 1945 1946 1949 sketched the story of Cornish singing in Grass Valley. The Cornish miners brought to this region not only their knowledge of hard-rock mining but also their inborn love for song. This is but a sampling of the volunteered talent which has brought so much enjoyment to an appreciative Historical Society audience. Summer excursions have been pretty consistent. The first one toCamp Far West in 1948 was inspired by O.H. Renner, Post Engineer at Camp Beale, who, through diligent research had uncovered the names of five military dead buried at Camp Far West in 1850,

and suggested to the Society that a bronze plaque with their names be added to the Native Sons monument already there. Headed by Edmond Kinyon, sixty-five members and guests left in cars from the American Legion building in Grass Valley on the morning of April 27th, first stopping at the McCourtney Bridge built by four counties, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter and Placer that roughly cornered there. The group visited the old town of Spenceville, rebuilt as a German village and used for training maneuvers, and then went on tothe site ISABEL HEFELFINGERPRESIDENT 1950 1951 1964 of Johnson’s Rancho, identified only by a large oak tree. It was here that the remnants of the Donner Party’s Forelorn Hope found refuge. Next was the site of Camp Far West on the Bear River, instituted in 1849. United States soldiers were stationed there nearly two years. General James R., Weaver, Camp Beale Commandant had taken a deep interest in this drab repository of American soldiers, and after the dedication of the plaque, the Historical group was invited to a full course dinner at Camp Beale’s officers mess at the end of the tour. The Alder Valley excursion, a combined E Clampus Vitus and Historical Society effort, under the leadership of Al Trivelpiece and President Elza Kilroy, was one of the most impressive. Here they were met by Douglas Barrett and his group from Truckee and dedicated a plaque where the families of George and Jacob Donner hurriedly put up brush tents during the tragic winter of 1846. There have been many delightful excursions. Some may remember the famished group that enjoyed a lunch of hot beans, rolls and coffee at Relief Hill, and resting on the heavy blanket of pine needles before going on. Many have asked what makes these excursions so successful. Among the reasons noted is the fact that everyone can go just by appearing at the designated loading zone; and enjoy the interest and informality of the group at historical spots. Many contribute short stories. Most ofall, the congenial companionship enjoyed hx» all who attend. Bob Paine, who guia many of these excursions, was a mosv cordial host as well as guide, ' circulating among the crowd, and keeping everyone in a humorous mood. For the California State Centennial, the year of 1948, ’49 and ’50, Earl Covey of Grass Valley was appointed by Governor Earl Warren as a member of the State Centennial Committee to head the celebrations in Nevada County. The Historical Society assisted in the production of “Gold Days,” the first large scale historical pageant ever produced here. Elmer Stevens wrote the script of five historical episodes as follows: ‘“‘The Boston (Ravine) Party,’ “Lola Montez and Lotta Crabtree,” “The Miners,” ‘Rough and Ready,” and “The Cornish Miner.” A cast of one hundred, plus the members of Redmen Lodge in their Indian costumes, were directed by Theodore Mathieson. Complete stage sets were built on the Hennessy School grounds. They were mounted on wheels and were made available by Bill Carey of the Scotia Mine. Ed Granholm drove the same stage coach he once drove to Washington. Enthusiastically viewed by 1500 during the July 4th celebration of 1947, it was considered to make the Calvacade into an annual extravaganze™) Earl Covey also headed the “Gs Discovery Fiesta” at the Veterai, Memorial Building on the night c January 24, 1948. This celebration included a 49’er ball, booths, concessions and exhibits, profits from