Monthly news & updates

A Message From The President

Dear Members, Supporters and Friends, 

Several years ago, when the Fresno County Historical Society went through its Centennial Strategic Plan, a number of things changed. We have been implementing many of the recommendations as quickly and boldly as possible – with our new living-history event, Time Travelers, having its incredibly successful trial run this past week. The 21 stations enchanted the 500+ students – you can read more about that below. Just wait until October with over 50 stations and thousands of youngsters already signed up to participate!

One of the other promises we made was to capture history as it is happening so the generations yet to come can see and learn from first-hand recollections rather than solely secondary source material. With that in mind, we tackled the Sikh Youth Oral History Project – we have described it to you before. Now it is here in the Kearney Mansion Museum for a three-month run.

What made this endeavor completely different than just collecting Oral Histories, was the fact that high school students, with little or no training, volunteered to participate. Through our partnership with CMAC and the Nanak Mission, our teen-aged interviewers learned not only how to collect a story from a subject, but also how to light, film and edit their pieces (with the patient help of the professionals at CMAC and our own Cami Cipolla, Director of Education). 

What emerged was nothing short of breathtaking and extremely educational. One of the goals of the FCHS’s on-going Oral History work is to help foster understanding between groups that are often underrepresented and/or misunderstood. That couldn’t be truer of the Sikhs, despite being the 5th largest religion in the world!

Here are some key points on the basics of Sikhism for your learning pleasure:

- Sikhism is the youngest of the World religions. Its history dates back to 1469.
- Its founder Guru Nanak Dev was born in a village called Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, in 1469.
- The Sikhs have ten Gurus. It is believed that they all had the same soul though they had different bodies, and that it was Guru Nanak Dev’s spirit which passed on into his nine successors.
- The Sikhs call God as ‘Waheguru’, meaning that God is great. Their common salutation is Sat Siri Akal (God is supreme and is immortal). “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh” has a twofold meaning. It denotes a special relationship between God and those who dedicate their lives to His love and service. Also, it is the expression of a devotee’s faith in the ultimate triumph of Truth over Falsehood. This Sikh salutation means “Khalsa belongs to God and to God alone belongs the Victory”.
- Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of the Sikhs. It is believed that the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh bestowed upon the Granth the title of the Guru.
- The Sikhs worship only one Almighty God in his abstract form. They are not allowed to worship any idols, images or photographs.
- According to the Sikh belief, God is the eternal truth; he is beyond fear, enmity and death. He is unborn and is self-illuminated. He himself is the creator, preserver and destroyer.
- The Sikhs believe that all existence is controlled by one omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient Lord called by different names: Ishwar, Jehovah, Allah and Waheguru.

Well, I hope this information has encouraged you to visit the Kearney Mansion Museum soon to watch the Oral Histories and to get to know the students who created this project and their amazing subjects.

Next in the Museum Gallery will be….drumroll please…a Gottschalk’s exhibit followed by a gorgeous Chinese Display in concert with the Year of the Dragon in early 2024.

We at the Society are answering your call to show off our amazing collections and doing a much better job preserving the past and present. Now, we are keeping our commitments – so you need to DONATE or BECOME A MEMBER right away so we can keep going, Seems like a fair trade to me!!!

And, don’t forget to honor our flag on June 14th, pamper our fathers on the 18th and celebrate Juneteenth on the 19th!

Hope to see you out at our lovely Mansion and Gallery soon.

Time Travelers' Education Days A Success

500+ Students Participate

A good time was had by all at the Time Travelers' Education Days. Local students had the opportunity to learn so many things! Writing with quill pens (in cursive, no less), packing a real, live mule, cooking over a campfire, panning for gold and the sack races were a few of the favorites. Students were recruited by the Buffalo Soldiers at their camp and marched in formation while learning about the stewardship they provided for Yosemite National Park after the Civil War. African American quilters told the stories of their creations while students learned to make complex patterns for their own paper quilts. M. Theo Kearney hosted groups in his ranch office and told the story of how Fruitvale Estate came to be, Minna Eshleman taught butter churning while telling her story of being a woman rancher, and some students even got to milk a cow. 

We are looking forward to a bigger, longer event in the fall with Saturday, October 21st open to the public. Look for food trucks, vendors, hayrides and even a cultural parade. Visit our website to register your students now!

Click Here and Register Today!

Fresno County Historical Society Presents Sip And Smoke

For those of you who attended our 2022 Gala, Night at the Cocoanut Grove, you may remember our port tasting and cigars out on the balcony of The Grand which was a huge hit. So, we thought we would revisit the excitement that evening brought to all of our guests with an innovative and classy event. Secure your tickets today for this September 30th experience! 

Sip and Smoke

Saturday, September 30th

Choose your seating: 6:00PM or 7:30PM

Have we got a brand new and flavorful event for you and yes, everyone will want to attend!

We are taking a guy's night out to whole new level; Whiskey Tasting and Cigars on the Veranda of Kearney Mansion! This is sure to be a smooth evening consisting of four flights of vibrant whiskey pours and savory cigars, utilizing the Veranda for exactly what it was made for!

You will learn the history of whiskey, be taught about the various flights you will experience and have a relaxing smoke with other enthusiasts if you choose. The Fresno County Historical Society will be providing a selection of tasty bites for your well-rounded two-hour trip through flights of fancy and leisurely delights.

We expect this unique event to sell out quickly so get your tickets today. Gift Certificates are available for Father's Day or other special occasion giving. 

VIP tickets available and include a special trip to the 3rd floor of the Mansion - into previously shuttered space.

Tickets & Information

Roots Of The Valley:

The Many Faces of our beloved

Fresno County Courthouse 

This is a topic people are perpetually interested in – with a few rare photos included…

After the Central Pacific rail line arrived at Fresno Station in late April 1872, many of Millerton’s residents began to move to the new town. By 1874, Millerton was almost a ghost town. Fresno was on its way to becoming the large city Leland Stanford had envisioned. On March 23, 1874, an election was held with several communities on the ballot hoping to become the new county seat. Fresno easily won, probably due to the free ladles of whiskey that were provided by the railroad to all those who voted for Fresno. The Millerton Courthouse, Fresno County’s first, closed for good shortly after the election.

Fresno County Courthouses Timeline

1874 – The cornerstone for the new Fresno County Courthouse is laid. Among the nineteen items placed in the cornerstone was a Bible given by Dr. Lewis Leach. According to tradition, it was the only available Bible in Fresno

1875 – The Fresno County Courthouse is completed and dedicated in Fresno’s Courthouse Park

The Fresno County Courthouse was the centerpiece for Courthouse Park. Completed in 1875, it was designed by California State Architect Albert A. Bennett who designed the courthouses for eight county seats. Of these, only the Merced County Courthouse is still standing. Pop Laval Collection

1893 – The Courthouse is expanded—two wings are added and a copper dome. The huge dome is a symbol of the county’s growth and prosperity.

By the early 1890s, Fresno County was growing in population and more office space was needed for official business. Two wings were added as well as a huge, very heavy copper dome. In this 1893 photograph, the impressive dome made a clear statement about wealth and pride of the rapidly expanding region. Sadly, a mere two years later, the magnificent dome burned and melted in a horrific fire. Pop Laval Collection

1895 – A massive fire destroys the copper dome—it literally melted. Molten copper steamed into the upper floor. Three courtrooms were destroyed.

1897 - Another restoration project is undertaken, a third floor is added, and a new dome, made of wood, completes the building. Unfortunately, someone decides to paint the dome a hideous shade of green that faded to yellow. After complaints from the populace, it was finally painted white to match the rest of the building.

By 1914, the Fresno County Courthouse (with a more traditional dome) truly reflected its place as the center of government. Classical architecture provided the county’s citizens with a reminder of ancient Greece where democracy began. Hundreds of group and family portraits were staged on its striking steps. Pop Laval Collection

1962 – The Board of Supervisors begins to discuss tearing down the historic Courthouse and building a new structure

The historic courthouse and its park under a blanket of snow. Attractive walkways and trees had made Courthouse Park a social center since it was laid out in 1874. Here couples courted, people visited, children played, and older gentlemen played checkers. Band concerts, dog shows, and many community events were also held in the comforting shadow of the landmark structure – January 22, 1962. Fresno County Public Library

1963 – Fresno County receives a $1,949,300 federal grant that would be used to build a new Courthouse. It came with the stipulation that work had to begin within 120 days

1963 – Public outcry again demolition grew. A citizen’s committee, led by Ed Vagim, led a petition signing drive to retain the historic building. His efforts fail

1966 – The historic Fresno County Courthouse is demolished to make way for a new, modern Courthouse

For nine decades, citizens of the county had naturally gathered at the Courthouse steps to celebrate important events such as the end of World War I. Now the building that stood so proudly at the heart of downtown Fresno was being replaced. The new, modern edifice was constructed directly adjacent to the old; this juxtaposition of the two buildings said it all. Fresno Sheriff’s Office

In 1874, at the laying of the cornerstone of the historic Courthouse, District Attorney Claudius Golon Sayle said the building “would stand the storms of winter and the heat of summer for a period of a thousand years or more.” Now the building was being demolished just ninety-two years later. Reportedly, the Courthouse did not meet earthquake standards, but the old structure was not so fragile after all. It took men and machines nine hours of struggling before the dome came crashing down. Fresno Bee Editorial Archive

October 29, 1966 – The new, modern Courthouse is dedicated and opens for business.

Archives Spotlight

By: Cami Cipolla

Hello Friends of the Archives!

What happened to the old courthouse cupola? Our courthouse in Fresno was constructed in 1875, however the dome was not added until 1895 after a fire burned the central part of the main courthouse structure. In 1966 the courthouse was demolished due to concerns over the structure's ability to withstand earthquakes. Once the dome was removed, it went to auction and was sold to Thomas E. Davis of Shaver Lake who desired to preserve the dome only, having it removed from the structure for an additional $500.

Eventually the dome was sold to Leonard Kavoian, owner of Leonard’s Equipment Company in South Fresno because his wife, Rose, thought it was too beautiful to scrap or be destroyed. Rosie had always loved the beauty of the cupola and thought that it would attract customers to Leonard’s business. Even after Rosie’s death, Leonard kept the ornate cupola in the storage yard.

In 1985, the cupola was freshly painted and brought to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum for the Fresno Centennial.

In 1997 Leonard donated the cupola to the Fresno County Historical Society though it remained in the Leonard's equipment yard. The cupola was rehoused to storage owned by Dick and Sally Caglia, Historic Society benefactors, alongside other historic relics like a carousel and chandeliers from the old opera house. 

In March of 2015, the cupola found a new home once again at the Fresno Fairgrounds to be displayed at the Fresno County Historical Museum. Imagine seeing the five-ton dome traveling down Butler Avenue with a police escort taking the cupola to its next residence! 

In a partnership between the Fresno County Historic Society and the Fresno Fair Museum, the dome was restored and is displayed at the fairgrounds museum which is open to the public every third Saturday or by appointment. Have you seen the cupola at the museum? I don’t know about you, fellow history buffs, but I think I need to take a trip to the fairgrounds to see this beautiful piece of historic architecture!

Cheers friends! 

FCHS AG Tour Program Keeps Growing

By Candice Calderon, Tour Director

Want to enjoy your own space, social network, and crew on a relaxing yet engaging experience? We now offer PRIVATE Ag Tours, and the demand has sky rocketed!

I had the pleasure to directing two private Ag Tours for one of our new tour operating partners, Road Scholar. Road Scholar is well known internationally for providing adventure learning and tours for seniors all around the world. Guess where they made a stop? Right here in Fresno! Not just to pass through for lunch; but to spend a half day on the Fresno County Historical Society’s private Fields of Fresno Ag Tour.

I customized this private Ag Tour just for them. Other groups, networks, employers, faith-based organizations, tour operators, colleges and large families can now enjoy a private Ag tour with just your posse on the bus! Road Scholar brought over 30 people from all over the U.S. (twice in the month of May) to enjoy the fruit basket of the world right before they headed to our National Parks. They were thrilled and impressed with Fresno!

You see – FCHS’s reach goes beyond the Kearney Mansion Museum. We preserve our local history through tourism also. Telling a story is one aspect, experiencing it and walking in it is another immersive experience. Inquiries for private Ag Tours can be made by contacting Candice Hill Calderon at [email protected] and calling 559-777-4091.

Our next PUBLIC Ag Tour will be on Saturday, July 29th along the bountiful Fresno County Fruit Trail. We’ll visit and enjoy a curated and guided tour of Freisen Farms (peaches), The Blossom Fruit Stand for handwashing at their well, Liz Hudson Fruit Stand, and wine tasting Ramos Torres Winery! Lunch and wine tasting is always included in each Ag Tour. Book your $85 e-tickets to reserve a seat on our motor coach bus at www.valleyhistory.org/ag-tour and just select July 29th. 

Mark Your Calendars!

June 3rd - In Their Own Words: Sikh Youth Oral History Project Opening

July 29th - Fields of Fresno Ag Tour

August 26th - Fields of Fresno Ag Tour

September 30th - Sip and Smoke

October 7th - Fields of Fresno Ag Tour

October 18th - 20th - Time Travelers: Education Days

October 21st - Time Travelers: Public Day

October 26th - 29th - Mystery at Kearney Mansion

November 24th - December 31st - Christmas at Kearney: Holiday Tales

December 2nd - Members' Holiday Reception

December 3rd & 4th - Meet & Greet with Santa

December 6th -Kearney Council Dinner

December 9th - Holiday Tea Party

Making History Every Day:

Outside consultant recommends that parks department get into the arts business. Where does that leave the fresno arts council?

In what seems likely to generate another Measure P controversy, consultants helping kick-start the initiative are recommending the Fresno parks department create a division “dedicated to expanding citywide arts and culture” as part of the city’s “organizational structure.” Already, one Fresno City Council member calls it “an extremely bad idea.”

“We quite frankly don’t have the muscle for this and we don’t have the history or competence either,” said Council Member Miguel Arias. “I mean it’s hard enough for us to keep grass green and irrigation systems operational in our parks. I don’t believe we’re equipped to delve into the world of arts and culture.”

The consultants make the recommendation in a 67–page draft Cultural Arts Plan scheduled for public release on Monday, May 15. The Munro Review obtained an early copy of the draft plan.

Measure P lays out no role for an arts division in the parks department, and it’s unclear at this time how the recommendation ended up in the draft plan. The consultants – Network for Culture and Arts Policy with offices in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Denver – did not answer direct questions from The Munro Review about whether a member of the public, an artist, a city employee or someone else suggested adding an arts division to parks department responsibilities during a wide-ranging survey of the community. The Network for Cultural and Arts Policy began its work in May 2022 and is being paid $150,000, according to the parks department.

If Arias’ comments are an indication of what’s to come, it would be the second time this year that the role of the parks department in Measure P funding of the arts has led to a dispute. An earlier controversy involved the Fresno Arts Council, and it’s still unresolved.

City Manager Georgeanne White – who oversees the parks department – said in a statement in response to a query that she, too, has “concerns” about the recommendation, but she did not elaborate. Arias had plenty to say, though.

“So this feels – for some of the people in the arts and culture organizations – like a money grab and a duplication,” he said of the recommendation. Non-government organizations like the Fresno Arts Council already have expertise in arts and culture, Arias says. But with an arts division, the parks department could bill Measure P for employees who work on the initiative but have other responsibilities, as well. It’s the “natural inclination” of governmental agencies to look for such “pots of money,” he said.

Arias predicts the recommendation “won’t survive” scrutiny by the Fresno City Council, which has final say over the Cultural Arts Plan. The city must adopt a final plan before it can spend Measure P money on the arts.

The draft plan – which makes 31 other recommendations – will get its first public airing on Monday, May 15, at a meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission, an advisory and oversight body established by Measure P. The meeting will take place in Council Chambers at Fresno City Hall beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Many of the 31 other recommendations in five categories could draw consensus support. For example, in the “Celebrate & Enhance” category, the draft plan recommends incorporating arts, culture and creativity into the city’s transportation system. And in the “Barriers, Innovate & Expand” category, the plan recommends developing and maintaining an online cultural hub where the public can access an events calendar.

The public can comment on the draft Cultural Arts Plan beginning May 15 and continuing until June 5. “If the community does not support a recommendation in the draft plan, they should submit a comment during the public review process,” City Manager White said. She will make her own recommendations to the City Council about the draft plan following the comment period.

This essential-but-little-noticed work of municipal government is about fulfilling the promise of Measure P, which 52% of Fresno voters supported in 2018 to improve the city’s quality of life by boosting arts, culture and parks through a 30-year sales tax increase. Millions of dollars are on the table. As much as $10 million in grants could be available to local nonprofit arts organizations in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, according to one estimate. Under Measure P’s funding formula, arts and culture get 12% of the money generated every year by the initiative, while most of the other 88% benefits city parks.

The question of who would lead the process of awarding grants from the 12% became a dispute earlier this year. It began in February when parks director Aaron Aguirre emailed Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, executive director of the Arts Council, that the city would manage and administer Measure P arts funding. Some people saw this as a behind-the-scenes power grab since Measure P states that arts grants “shall be implemented” by the Fresno Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission “in partnership” with the Fresno Arts Council. The dispute led more than two dozen people – including major players in the Fresno arts community – to speak out in support of the Arts Council at a March meeting. At that time, City Manager White told The Munro Review that the Arts Council would have “a lot more than minimum” involvement in administering Measure P. But a contractual agreement spelling out the Arts Council’s role has not been finalized yet by the city.

Gonzáles Chávez said she first submitted a draft of an agreement to the city in the fall of 2022. “We’re really encouraging the city to sign an agreement quickly so we can set up the grants process and be ready as soon as the Cultural Plan is adopted.” The draft plan makes several references to the Fresno Arts Council, including that it should pursue state grants to host additional workshops for nonprofit leaders and artists. Gonzáles Chávez takes exception, saying: “That assumes that we don’t already do that, but we do.”

People in the arts community are questioning the slow pace of Measure P clearing its administrative hurdles. “Local arts organizations are incredibly frustrated that the process of creating the Cultural Arts Plan and rolling out the arts grant program under Measure P is taking so long,” said Stephen Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the Fresno Philharmonic. “The Measure P arts funding is urgently needed as arts organizations are still struggling to emerge from the COVID pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Arias said he plans to bring a resolution to the City Council on May 25 outlining and clarifying the roles of the parks department, the Arts Council and the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission in administering Measure P. Already, Arias said, he’s talked with officials in the parks department about why they want an arts division. They’ve said they could honor public requests for activities like guitar and dancing lessons in the city’s community centers, but Arias is not persuaded. “We [the city] don’t have a history of hiring diverse personnel, and we certainly don’t have a history of hiring artists and culture directors. I believe we’re better off focusing on what we do well, which is to maintain [city facilities] in pristine conditions so the public can utilize them” for programming by arts and culture organizations. Arias said the parks department – which already maintains 1,500 acres of open space and also provides services to youth and senior citizens – should focus on ensuring that the Measure P arts money is spent correctly.

In another important conversation, Arias said that he, City Council President Tyler Maxwell and Council Member Annalisa Perea have talked with the authors of Measure P. “The administration [at City Hall] was adamantly opposed to Measure P, including the mayor. But we’re trying to ensure that the intent of the authors when they drafted Measure P – and what the voters approved when they voted for Measure P – is actually honored,” Arias said.