May-June 2025

Administrator’s Notes

 by Ralph Gibson, Museums Administrator

 

This issue serves as the kickoff for Heritage Trail 2025! Our summerlong event, which spans from Roseville to Tahoe, begins June 7th and runs through September 6th. This year, 28 museums will host history in fun, interesting ways through exhibits, hands-on activities, historic re-enactments and guided tours. For the full summer calendar, please go to our website at: www.theheritagetrail.blogspot.com

As I mentioned in my previous article, this will be my last year at the helm of the Placer County Museums and in each article, I’ll look back at what we were doing early in my tenure here.

From the minutes of the May 20, 2008 Historical Organizations Committee meeting: “Barton gave an update on this new event. The committee selected the name The Heritage Trail and the date is August 9th and 10th.” That’s when the Heritage Trail was born. It was Museum Administrator, Melanie Barton’s idea to have an event like Sacramento’s Museum Day. The first one happened that weekend of August 9th and yes, although it was really hot, it was a successful event.

I hope to see all of you on the Trail this summer!

New Donation Highlight

by Kasia Woroniecka, Curator of Collections

The Vapo-Cresolene vaporizer, also known as the Vapo-Cresolene lamp, was a popular but ultimately ineffective remedy for many ailments listed on the original packaging including “whooping cough, spasmodic croup, nasal catarrh, colds, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, pneumonia, the paroxysms of asthma and hay fever, the bronchial complications of scarlet fever and measles and as an aid in the treatment of diphtheria and certain inflammatory throat diseases.” Introduced in the 1880s, it worked by heating a coal-tar byproduct called Cresolene over a small kerosene lamp, releasing fumes claimed to have antiseptic properties. By the 1930s it was widely regarded as both ineffective and potentially harmful.

Uncovering Civil War Stories at the Placer County Archives

 By Kaitlyn Grebe, Museum Curator I

While pursuing a Master of Arts in Public History and working as the part-time Curator of Education for Placer County Museums, I have undertaken a thesis project focused on rehousing and creating a finding aid for a collection of Civil War–era documents.

The collection consists of military duty rosters, financial records, correspondence, bonds of organization, and miscellaneous documents.

Beginning in 1861, twelve companies of volunteer soldiers were organized in Placer County, seven of which are represented in the collection. All of them were considered part of the 1st Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade. In September 1863, all companies in the greater Sacramento area were invited to Camp Kibbe for training.

 
Among the documents are three letters that unveil a late-war controversy and reference events covered by local newspapers. All are from a Union Corps (Michigan Bluff) volunteer named James Blackburn.

                         James Blackburn’s July 9th, 1865 letter. PCM Collection

Dated July 9, 1865, Senior 2nd Lieutenant Blackburn’s first letter accuses his fellow soldier 1st Sergeant Joseph Dilts of embezzlement, describing the alleged action as “grand rascality” and claiming he has enough evidence to “send him to hell”. He believes that Dilts withdrew money from the Union Corps account and “never accounted for a single cent”.

Lt. Blackburn’s next letter is dated three days later. He recounts how his suspicions began after training at Camp Kibbe. The Union Corps received $50.00 from the county in February 1864. In March of that year, the two of them used that money to buy guns and store them in a local cellar. Blackburn claims “all the money [Dilts] got was after the guns was boxed up”.

Blackburn and Dilts felt uncomfortable about where the guns were kept, so they moved them against the permission of their captain to Shawl’s cellar. Blackburn notes that Shawl did not charge them for the use of his property. A fire spread through Michigan Bluff only a few days later on May 30th.

The Placer Herald reported on the fire:

“The fire broke out in a barber shop, (from some cause yet unexplained,) and spreading rapidly, soon laid the whole business part of the town in ashes, with the exception of the fire proof buildings of Leets and Shawl.”

Their captain moved the guns from Shawl’s in August and put them under a bed in the back of the saloon, where they stayed for about five months before being moved and stored after the company disbanded. Blackburn states, “I don’t think we was entitled to any money after the $50 sent us in Feb – about the first 1864 and all the rest of the Boys that I had any conversation with on the subject thought the same”.

According to Blackburn, Dilts withdrew $390 from the Union Corps account between May and November 1864 – almost $8000 in today’s money. The lieutenant did not know of any bills that needed to be paid and accused Dilts of the fraud.

The last letter, dated July 14, 1865, Blackburn reveals that he has finally talked to Dilts about the situation. Dilts was sorry. Blackburn asks, “please return [the previous letters] to me providing he settles with the County for what is right, which he agrees to do”. It turns out Dilts had covered some bills for the Union Corps and promised to pay back the money he took from the County.

Although the responses to these letters have been lost to history, their contents provide a rare and personal glimpse into the lives of Civil War soldiers. Together with the rest of the collection, they add a compelling human dimension to our understanding of this time period in Placer County history.

Hawver Cave exhibit changes

 By Jason Adair, Exhibit Technician

 

Good news history fans! There is a new exhibit in the Placer County Museum. The Hawver Cave exhibit has been rebuilt and includes a lot more photos about history of Dr. Hawver. The new display improves the display of the artifacts as well as puts a little more meat on the bone of the cave’s story.

Placer County Historical Society  

Dinner Meeting


When: Thursday, June 5, 2025


Meeting at 6:00, Dinner at 6:15, Speaker at 6:45

Dave Antonucci on the history Placer County and the 1960 Olympics.

Location: Veterans Memorial Hall Dinner cost: $30.00.

100 East Street, Auburn, CA Speaker presentation: Free


Please RSVP to rsvp.pchs@gmail.com

Please go to www.placercountyhistoricalsociety.org for more information



Rocklin Historical Society

Rocklin's sports and recreation scene, from its early days featuring race track events and a gymnastics group delighting audiences at picnics, parades and Finn Hall, to the high school athletes who have risen to professional levels - today and beyond, our new exhibit offers something of interest for everyone.

     Reminisce the days of dancing to Fred Morgan at Sunset Whitney Country Club, and skating at the Stardust. Enjoy remembering the "magical" 17 years watching the San Francisco 49ers at Summer training camp at Sierra College. This and so much more is in store at the Rocklin History Museum!

Placer County Historical Organizations

Colfax Area Historical Society

Jay McIntyre, President, (530) 346-8599

colfaxhistory.org


Donner Summit Historical Society

Bill Oudegeest, (209) 606-6859

donnersummithistoricalsociety.org



Foresthill Divide Historical Society

Annie DeMaria-Norris (916) 206-4479 foresthillhistory.org

Fruitvale School Hall

Community Association

Mark Fowler



Golden Drift Historical Society

Sarah Fugate, (530) 389-2121



Historical Advisory Board

Glenn Vineyard, (916) 747-1961



Joss House Museum and

Chinese History Center

Larry Finney, (530) 305-9380



Lincoln Area Archives Museum

Elizabeth Jansen, (916) 645-3800

laamca.org



Lincoln Highway Association

Trey Pitsenberger

vice.president@lincolnhighwayassoc.org




Loomis Basin Historical Society

Karen Clifford, (916) 663-3871

www.loomisbasinhistory.org



Maidu Museum & Historic Site

Kaitlin Kincade, (916) 774-5934

roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum



The Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics

David C. Antonucci, (775) 722-3502

tahoemuseum.org



Native Sons of the Golden West

Parlor #59

Dave Allen, (530) 878-2878 dsallen59@sbcglobal.net



Newcastle Portuguese Hall

Association

Mario Farinha, (530) 269-2412



North Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Phil Sexton, (530) 583-1762

northtahoemuseums.org



Placer County Genealogical Society

Diane Fishburn

http://www.placergenealogy.org



Placer County Historical Society

April McDonald-Loomis

(530) 823-2128

placercountyhistoricalsociety.org



Placer County Museums Docent Guild

Craig Norris



Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society

Chuck Spinks

Psrhs.org



Rocklin Historical Society

Gloria Beverage (916) 624-3464

rocklinhistorical@gmail.com



Roseville Historical Society

Denise Fiddyment, (916) 773-3003

rosevillehistorical.org

Calendar:

 

Foresthill Divide Historical Society Meeting:             Monday, May19th at 6:00 p.m.

Golden Drift Historical Society Meeting:                    Monday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

Historical Advisory Board Meeting:                           Wednesday, June 18th at 5:30 p.m.

Loomis Basin Historical Society Meeting:                 Wednesday, May 21st at 6:00 p.m.

Placer County Historical Society Meeting:                 Thursday, June 5th at 2:00 p.m.

Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society:                     Tuesday, May 27th at 7:00 p.m.

Rocklin Historical Society Meeting:                           Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Roseville Historical Society Meeting:                         Tuesday, May 13th at 4:00 p.m.

March-April 2025

Administrator’s Notes

by Ralph Gibson, Museums Administrator

It’s almost March and that means we’re just wrapping up the winter Gold Rush 4th Grade program at the Gold Rush Museum and Spring Living History is around the corner. It’s going to be a very busy spring with Living History at two sites, preparations for Heritage Trail 2025, and our Exhibit Team breaking ground on a new exhibit that may take more than a year to complete.

As I mentioned in the last issue, I plan to retire soon and my last day will likely be this fall. Until then, I thought I’d take a gander at what was happening in the Museums Division 20 years ago when I had just started.

In February of 2005, the Museums Department became a Division of the Facility Services Department; Parent Teacher training for Living History had four sessions in February and March of 2005 with 28 teachers and 142 parents attending (all our trainings are virtual now!); It’s in the Bag, the first exhibit that Exhibit Technician, Jason Adair and I worked on, opened on February 10, 2005; and on March 26, 2005, Dr. Bob LaPierre gave a presentation on Gold Rush Medicine in our Placer County Museum gallery.

That’s all for now. I’ll keep bringing up stories from the memory vault with each article until my last.

New Donation Highlight

by Kasia Woroniecka , Curator of Collections

This ribbon of the Order of the Knights of Pythias dates to around 1895, when the Colfax Lodge No. 200 was established.

The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization founded in 1864 by Justus H. Rathbone, who was inspired by the Greek legend of two friends, Damon and Pythias. When Pythias is sentenced to death by a tyrant ruler, he is allowed to leave temporarily to settle his affairs and Damon agrees to take his place as a hostage, knowing he will die if his friend does not return on time. When Pythias returns as promised, the tyrant , moved by their loyalty, releases both friends. The core principles of the Knights of Pythias are "Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence," and the organization’s rituals and teachings are based on the friendship between Damon and Pythias.

There are over 2000 Knights of Pythias lodges today that continue participating in community service projects, volunteering in local charities and hosting social events.

Golden Drift Historical Society and Museum

by Sarah Fugate, President

Members of the Golden Drift Historical Society (GDHS) fund efforts to preserve and promote the rich history of our area. For just $25 per year, you can be a part of our accomplishments.

In 2024, the Golden Drift Historical Society collaborated with the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project and Placer County to restore Dutch Flat’s Chinese Cemetery. They hosted a successful Dutch Flat History Day and funded the restoration of historical school banners at the Dutch Flat Community Center. GDHS also supported the digitization of the Isaac Coffin Diary, now displayed at the Golden Drift Museum. With grant funds, they built a traditional funerary burner in the Chinese Cemetery and ensured it is fire-safe. GDHS is a self-governing membership organization that uses dues and donations to fund educational initiatives and public events.

To continue to serve our mission, we need to increase membership. Please take a moment to renew your membership, and encourage others to join our society as well. Please visit our website, www.goldendrift.org. Your dues and donations to the society are tax deductible.

Thank you for your support. See you at the museum!

Rolling Through History:  The 1953 PG&E Bowling Tournament

by Kelsey Monahan, Curator of Archives

This photograph shows the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Drum Division team at the Pacific Services Association (PSEA) Bowling Tournament held in Oakland in April 1953. June Brackett of the Drum Division, which was headquartered in Auburn, had the highest scratch score of all 81 women bowlers. The photo comes form the scrapbook of Helen Gold, who was the Drum Division’s PSEA Women’s Affairs Chairman in 1953. Other photographs in the album show the varied activities of the group including Christmas parties, luncheons, and tours.

Helen, born Helen Brusso, was born in 1921 in Roseville where her father was an engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad. She graduated from Roseville High School and Placer Junior College before working at Mather Field and later with PG&E. She was married to Pershing Jay Gold from 1941 until his death in 1952, from complications around his rescue efforts for the passengers of the stranded City of San Francisco train near Colfax. She remarried to James A. Wheat in 1958 before his death the next year in 1959. In 1960, she married Ted L. Chamberlain. In addition to working for PG&E Helen was very active in the community, and was involved with Friends of the Placer County Library, Arts Council of Placer County, Placer County Parks Commission, and the Crocker Art Museum.

Thank you to docent and Archives volunteer Marti Fischer who has done such an amazing job cataloging and scanning the collection with Helen’s photographs (and so much more!).

SNOW Sports Museum

by Scott Keith, SNOW Sports Museum Advisor 

In the spring of 2024, the SNOW Sports Museum made a significant discovery—the original architect's model of Blyth Arena, hidden in storage at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Upon recognizing its historical value, museum advisor Scott Keith contacted OMCA to discuss restoring the model. With support from the Placer Country TOT-TBID Dollars at Work program, additional funding was secured for its restoration. On January 17, 2024, the model was transported to the SNOW Sports Museum Archive at the Auburn Ski Club Training Center. After a new table is constructed, it will be displayed at the interim SNOW Sports Museum at the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City in March. Designed by architect Russel Francis Stechschulte, the model symbolizes the modern design movement and innovative spirit of the 1960 Winter Olympics. Its return offers visitors a rare, tangible connection to California’s Olympic legacy and its groundbreaking architectural contributions.

Western States Trail Museum

by Christina Richter, Secretary, Western States Trail Museum Board of Directors

In 2018 the Western States Trail Museum Articles of Incorporation for a non-profit entity were filed, and in August of 2023 a lease was signed with the City of Auburn for the future museum space. Anticipation is high as the extensive infrastructure improvement and build out continues at 1103 High Street, space #300, in Auburn, CA.
To see the progress for our vision firsthand be sure to find us on the Heritage Trail this summer!

Volunteer Spotlight

by Katy Bartosh, Curator of Education

For this issue’s Volunteer Spotlight I spoke with Loretta Saenz, who volunteers at the Gold Rush Museum.

Loretta started volunteering with us because she was interested in the local history of the mountains where she hikes. Even though she doesn’t work with me in education programming, she enjoys seeing and interacting with the kids who come to the museum. “They’re super excited!”

Loretta also enjoys hearing all the stories that people bring with them to the museums. If you’re lucky enough to have worked with Loretta before, you probably know she was a librarian in her past life so I had to ask her for a book recommendation. “The End of Drum-Time, by Hanna Pylväinen”.

Thank you for being such a great volunteer, Loretta!

Maidu Museum and Historic Site

Maidu Museum & Historic Site (MMHS) is excited to announce the upcoming Yoomén - A Celebration of Spring event, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This annual FREE event marks the arrival of spring, a time to celebrate new growth, fresh foods, and warmer weather.
SummaYoomén is a celebration of Native American culture featuring performances by Indigenous dancers, cultural demonstrations like basket weaving and jewelry making, and artwork displays by local Native artists. The event includes activities for children, such as Native-inspired art and game stations, as well as guided tours of the museum and ancient petroglyphs. Elders from nearby communities will be honored for their contributions to cultural preservation. Thanks to the support of Sierra Native Alliance, the event is free to the public, making it a valuable opportunity for cultural exchange and community celebration.
We look forward to celebrating with our community at Yoomén: A Celebration of Spring!

Benton Welty Historical Classroom—Celebrate Our Story

Come to Auburn City Hall the second Saturday of the month from 1:00-4:00 pm and celebrate City Hall’s/Auburn Grammar School’s 110th Birthday!

The beautiful Auburn Grammar School was built in 1915 with all the modern amenities: indoor plumbing, electricity, central heat, a dining room, auditorium and eight spacious classrooms.
Every second Saturday afternoon of the month starting March 8th, there will be grand tours, children’s activities, opportunities for reminiscing, displays, a Benton Welty Historical Classroom visit, and an Auburn History Lecture Series.
The topic for the first lecture will be Early Auburn – Why did Auburn thrive while other Gold Rush towns did not?
This year long celebration will culminate on Saturday, January 10th, 2026. January 10th, 1916 was the day 110 years ago the doors opened for the students.

Placer County Historical Society  

Dinner Meeting

When: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Meeting at 6:00, Dinner at 6:15, Speaker at 6:45

Jim Wood on the history of the lime industry in Placer County

Location: Veterans Memorial Hall Dinner cost: $30.00.

100 East Street, Auburn, CA Speaker presentation: Free

Please RSVP to rsvp.pchs@gmail.com

Please go to www.placercountyhistoricalsociety.org for more information

Placer County Historical Organizations

Colfax Area Historical Society
Jay McIntyre, President, (530) 346-8599
colfaxhistory.org


Donner Summit Historical Society
Bill Oudegeest, (209) 606-6859
donnersummithistoricalsociety.org


Foresthill Divide Historical Society
Annie DeMaria-Norris (916) 206-4479 foresthillhistory.org
Fruitvale School Hall
Community Association
Mark Fowler


Golden Drift Historical Society
Sarah Fugate, (530) 389-2121


Historical Advisory Board
Glenn Vineyard, (916) 747-1961


Joss House Museum and
Chinese History Center
Larry Finney, (530) 305-9380


Lincoln Area Archives Museum
Elizabeth Jansen, (916) 645-3800
laamca.org


Lincoln Highway Association
Trey Pitsenberger
vice.president@lincolnhighwayassoc.org


Loomis Basin Historical Society
Karen Clifford, (916) 663-3871
www.loomisbasinhistory.org


Maidu Museum & Historic Site
Kaitlin Kincade, (916) 774-5934
roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum


The Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics
David C. Antonucci, (775) 722-3502
tahoemuseum.org


Native Sons of the Golden West
Parlor #59
Dave Allen, (530) 878-2878 dsallen59@sbcglobal.net


Newcastle Portuguese Hall
Association
Mario Farinha, (530) 269-2412


North Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Phil Sexton, (530) 583-1762
northtahoemuseums.org


Placer County Genealogical Society
Diane Fishburn
http://www.placergenealogy.org


Placer County Historical Society
April McDonald-Loomis
(530) 823-2128
placercountyhistoricalsociety.org


Placer County Museums Docent Guild
Craig Norris


Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society
Chuck Spinks
Psrhs.org


Rocklin Historical Society
Gloria Beverage (916) 624-3464
rocklinhistorical@gmail.com


Roseville Historical Society
Denise Fiddyment, (916) 773-3003
rosevillehistorical.org

Calendar:

Please confirm all meeting times and locations with each organization

Foresthill Divide Historical Society Meeting:            Monday, March 17th at 6:00 p.m.
Golden Drift Historical Society Meeting:                   Monday, April 7th at 7:00 p.m.
Historical Advisory Board Meeting:                           Wednesday, April 16th at 5:30 p.m.
Loomis Basin Historical Society Meeting:                Wednesday, March 19th at 6:00 p.m.
Placer County Historical Society Meeting:               Thursday, March 6th at 2:00 p.m.
Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society:                  Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m.
Rocklin Historical Society Meeting:                          Tuesday, March 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Roseville Historical Society Meeting:                        Tuesday, March 11th at 4:00 p.m.