A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Members, Supporters and Friends,  

Every year in May, local preservation groups, state historical societies and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate Preservation Month through events that promote historic places and heritage tourism, and that demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation.

Preservation Month began as National Preservation Week in 1973. In 2005, the National Trust extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even greater opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and states.

Preservation Month 2023

This year’s Preservation Month theme is “People Saving Places,” a national high-five to everyone doing the great work of saving places—in ways big and small—and inspiring others to do the same. 

History

The first National Preservation Week was celebrated on May 6-12, 1973. At the annual meeting on October 27, 1972, in Washington, D.C., Donald T. Sheehan, a member of the Trustees Advisory Committee on Membership & Public Relations, proposed the idea of the National Preservation Week as a “means of relating local and state preservation progress to the national effort for the mutual benefits of both.” The National Trust chose the second week of May because it coincided with the organization's annual award luncheon, then in its third year.

A Joint Congressional Resolution was introduced on February 15, 1973, by Senator Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.), chairman of the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee to designate the week of May 6-12, 1973, as National Preservation Week. President Richard Nixon signed the resolution into law on May 5, 1973.

First Lady Patricia Nixon, who presented the National Trust awards during the third annual Awards Luncheon in the Decatur House Garden on May 8th, also read the Presidential proclamation:

“As the pace of change accelerates in the world around us, Americans more than ever need a lively awareness of our roots and origins in the past on which to base our sense of identity in the present and our directions for the future.”

Mayors and governors throughout the country have since added their proclamations to President Nixon.

What is the meaning of historic preservation?

As defined by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, historic preservation is the act of identifying, protecting, and enhancing buildings, places, and objects of historical and cultural significance.

What did the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 do?

NHPA promoted the use of historic properties to meet the contemporary needs of society, by recognizing that increased knowledge and better administration of historic resources would improve the planning and execution of Federal undertakings and benefit economic growth and development nationwide.

Using the Standards and Guidelines for Preservation, Rehabilitation, Restoration, & Reconstruction

The purpose of The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring & Reconstructing Historic Buildings is to provide guidance to historic building owners and building managers, preservation consultants, architects, contractors, and project reviewers prior to beginning work. It is always recommended that preservation professionals be consulted early in any project.

The Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties address four treatments: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction. As stated in the regulations promulgating the Standards, “one set of standards …will apply to a property undergoing treatment, depending upon the property’s significance, existing physical condition, the extent of documentation available, and interpretive goals, when applicable. The Standards will be applied taking into consideration the economic and technical feasibility of each project.” These Standards apply not only to historic buildings but also to a wide variety of historic resource types eligible to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This includes buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts.

Who was a famous preservationist in the United States?

John Muir opened the country's eyes to the intrinsic value of nature, and while he was not always successful in his preservationist endeavors, he would be encouraged to know that, in many ways, he was just ahead of his time. John Muir was one of the country's most famous naturalist and conservationist and Muir Woods, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is named in his honor. Muir is credited with both the creation of the National Park System and the establishment of the Sierra Club.

What is the difference between conservation and preservation history?

Both terms involve a degree of protection, but how that is protection is carried out is the key difference. Conservation is generally associated with the protection of natural resources, while preservation is associated with the protection of buildings, objects, and landscapes.

Here at the Fresno County Historical Society, we take our mission to preserve, protect, inspire and educate very seriously in everything we do. Though we have a long way to go to be able to share everything in the Archive, we work on it daily. 

Locally, through my seat on the Fresno Historic Landmarks Commission, we have arranged the most engaging opportunities throughout the month. The public can enjoy stepping inside some of our prestigious buildings for a peek at the mastery of design and architecture of the past, as well as dine and drink at some of our historic restaurants and cafes, and soak in the information from educational workshops, tours and lectures. Most activities are free and open to all ages.

Here are some of the key activities…

Thursday, May 4: Art Hop-Historic artist Pat Hunter’s work on display at the historic Brix Building, 1221 Fulton St., 5:30pm-8:00pm

Thursday, May 11: Fresno City Council and Mayor’s Proclamation of May as Fresno Historic Preservation Month, 9am, Fresno City Hall, Council Chambers

Saturday, May 13: Mother’s Day Tea-Kearney Mansion and Museum, contact Fresno Historical Society for ticket information

Sunday May 14: Mother’s Day Mariachi Tea-Arte’ Americas/The Short House, 11am-2pm, call 559/268-6130 for ticket information

Thursday, May 18: 3rd Annual Historic Fresno Pub Quiz, 6:30pm, The Peerless Building/South of Shaw Brewing Company, 1755 Broadway St., #107

Saturday, May 20: Meux Home Museum Mother’s Day Lavender and Lace Tea-12-3pm, tickets call 559/233-8007

Saturday, May 20: Historic Fresno OPEN HOUSE

Most venues will be open 9am-2pm, unless noted otherwise. Some tours available upon request, other spaces will have self-guided tours. 

Coke Hallowell River Center-11605 Old Friant Rd.---docent tours available

Fresno County Historical Museum at the Fresno County Fairgrounds-1121 S. Chance Ave.

Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium/Museum of the Legion of Valor-2425 Fresno St.  

Warnor’s Theater/Center for the Arts—1400 Fulton St., tours available of the theater, Star Palace and Frank’s Place, where “historic cocktails” will be available for purchase (21+)

The Downtown Club-2120 Kern St., self guided tours

Pacific Southwest Building-1060 Fulton St. 10-12

The Helm Building-1101 Fulton St.  

The Short Home/Arte’ Americas-1630 Van Ness Ave., 12-3pm.

Chinatown—tours and information at Chinatown Fresno Foundation, 912 F. St. 

Please take a moment this month to participate in one or more of these opportunities. Remember - you are making history every day!

All the best, 

Elizabeth Laval                                               

President                                                 

Fresno City and County Historical Society 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR TIME TRAVELERS' EDUCATION DAYS

Are you ready to take a step back in time and experience life in Fresno County with our early settlers?

Time Travelers’ Education Days on May 25th and 26th will take you there and immerse you in an educational experience you’ll not soon forget.

This exciting event includes cultural studies and education about the lives and livelihoods of our county’s forefathers, including digital curriculum. Be prepared to meet the Buffalo Soldiers, M. Theo Kearney, Dr. Meux and Minna Eshleman, see a blacksmith in action, pan for gold, make a real quill pen, hear the oral histories of our Sikh and Hmong communities, cook biscuits over a campfire, listen to music performed on traditional instruments and hear the stories that quilts tell. See the following link for more info, and to register your class; https://www.valleyhistory.org/time-travelers-education-days.

Make a quill pen and learn how to write in cursive

Meet M. Theo Kearney in his ranch office

Hear the stories that quilts tell

Hear the oral histories of Sikh and Hmong elders

Musical performance by members of the Fresno Folklore Society

Washboard laundry

Cooking biscuits over a campfire

Learn about the Bear Flag Revolt and color a California bear flag

Play with early toys and games and sew Mama and Miner ragdolls

Visit the Buffalo Soldiers in their camp

Learn about the early logging industry

See a blacksmith in action

Pan for gold

Learn how to make rope

Visit Dr. Meux and Minna Eshleman

Visit the Armenian exhibit

and more!

Click Here and Register Today!

MYSTERY AT KEARNEY MANSION

October 26 through 29, 2023

Back for the third year, Kearney Mansion will once again be host to a Murder Mystery this October.

In partnership with the UR Here Theater Company, this unique experience includes a delectable five course grazing menu served throughout the Kearney Mansion and filled with savory and sweet delights. You will also be treated to a special welcoming cocktail to sharpen all your senses which you will need as you interview suspects, find clues and work to solve a murder. Additional libations are available for purchase on-site. Ticket also includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.

Doors open at 6:00 PM sharp for all evening performances and 11:00 AM for the Saturday Matinee. Please arrive promptly to avoid missing an important clue - or becoming a victim yourself. As you know…. murder waits for no one!

The themes of this event are not considered appropriate for children under ten.  

Tickets are on sale now, and a sell out is expected.

Click here to secure your tickets today!

PICTURE OF THE DAY – May 1, 1920

In preparation for National Ship-By-Truck Week, to be held later in the month, Pop Laval captured this 50,000-pound load of Firestone Tires planning a trek from Fresno to San Francisco in the “Trailmobile” Kleiber Truck.

Virtually every rural section of the country from coast to coast would be traversed by caravans of motor trucks during Ship-By-Truck – Good Roads Week, giving practical demonstrations of the utility of truck transportation and preaching the doctrines of better highways.

Other plans included essays by school children, sermons and the distribution of literature, all designed to arouse interest in a national program of highway construction. Endorsements from Government officials, Senators, Congressmen and educators had already been received. 

There would be promotional tours designed to visualize to the farmers, merchants and manufacturers just what the motor truck could do through means of a big caravan of trucks.

The Ship-By-Truck Bureau worked hard with the truck and kindred industries to see that National Ship-By-Truck – Good Roads Week received as much public attention as possible in California and remained for every individual or industry benefitting in any way by these two movements to lend their hearty assistance. 

ROOTS OF THE VALLEY: SETTLING FRESNO COUNTY

During this month designated to highlight Historic Preservation, as well as our inaugural Time Travelers’ Living History event, we would like to take a look back at the Native Peoples, Immigrants and settlers who are bound together in the variegated tapestry we call Fresno County.

In order to present a full timeline of our communities and provide a synopsis for each of them, we have created a webpage complete with navigation to allow you to learn about how and when the following communities came to call Fresno County home: the Yokuts, the Mono, the African American Community, the Latino Community, the Basque, the Chinese, the Scandinavians, the Armenians, the Italians, the Japanese, the Volga Germans, the Greeks, the Portuguese, the Sikh Community and the Hmong Community.

Please follow this link to learn about each of these foundational groups and how Fresno County formed to be the place that we know today.

ARCHIVES SPOTLIGHT

By: Cami Cipolla

Hello Friends of the Archives!

With May being Historic Preservation month, I thought I would highlight what we at the Fresno County Historical Society preserve! We house collections of manuscripts, photo collections, donated items, records, documents and more! The Archives is home to the stories and memories of people from Fresno County through the ages. Many of us have a box or two of old photos and letters in the back of the closet or under the bed that have been forgotten. All of us have stories about our lives, our experiences, our memories that deserve to be shared and remembered. Preserving these stories shapes our perceptions of history and enables us to get a better understanding of events and people. We house the documents, images and materials from our first Fresno County Courthouse, including Lady Justice who was removed when the Courthouse was demolished in 1966.

We care for the letters and scrapbooks of soldiers like Leland and Richard Forsblad who were both decorated WWII pilots from Kingsburg. Their family collected the newspaper clippings pertaining to the brother’s military exploits during the war. Along with family photos and scrapbooks, their collection was donated to the Archives. Because of people choosing to share their memories with us, allowing us to care for and preserve their items, we are able to share our rich heritage with our community through educational programs, activities and museum exhibits. 

So, as we go through Historic Preservation month, pull out those shoe boxes and photo albums filled with your memories. Take a moment to write down your stories. We make history every day friends, and your stories, your memories help us preserve Valley history. 

Cheers!

FIELDS OF FRESNO AG TOURS NOW OFFER PRIVATE GROUP BOOKINGS

Book a PRIVATE Fields of Fresno Ag Tour for your group or organization for an incredible experience in the 

#1 Agricultural region in the County. 

The Fresno County Historical Society is providing engaging, lively, educational and fun Ag Tours in and around Fresno for private groups. These experiences allow us to share the story of the agricultural roots of the Valley and foster greater understanding about the area farms and families that feed the world. 

For more information, including itinerary and pricing click here.

BOOK TODAY

Email [email protected]  to secure your private Ag Tour with the Fresno County Historical Society.

MAKING HISTORY EVERY DAY:

Resurgent Tulare Lake Covers Vast Swath of Farmland

More than a century ago, that basin was an enormous body of freshwater known as Tulare Lake, the largest west of the Mississippi River. It would grow in winter as snowmelt streamed down from the mountains. But over time, settlers dammed and diverted waterways to irrigate crops, and the lake went dry. Now, Tulare Lake reappears only during the rainiest years, like this one, covering what is now a vast swath of farmland with water.

Today, paved roads vanish beneath the lake’s lapping waves and utility poles and trees jut out above the water, vestiges of land-living put on hold. Fields that typically grow wheat, tomatoes, and other crops lie underneath.

Farmland in the Tulare Lake Basin is submerged in water in Corcoran, after more than a dozen atmospheric rivers dumped record-setting rain and snowfall. Residents in rural communities nearby are facing the prospect of being marooned by rising rivers or flooded out. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

David Merritt, general manager for the Kings River Conservation District, said the Pine Flat Reservoir about 50 miles upstream can hold up to 1-million-acre feet of water, but is expected to receive more than 3 million acre feet this spring from the melting snow. Officials have been forced to increase the flow of water out of the reservoir to make space for more, Merritt said.