Administrator’s Notes
by Ralph Gibson, Museums Administrator
Fall and Winter were quiet times for us back then. Not so today! Yes, we had a terrific turnout at the Old Auburn Cemetery Tour and a big thank you goes out to Carol Cramer for her organization and enthusiasm for this event! Also, a big thank you to all the re-enactors and ghost hosts as well as our museum staff!
While my role transitions from Museums Administrator to patron on Halloween, I encourage all of you to visit the museums during the holiday season – especially the Bernhard Museum for S’mores & Stories on December 12th (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm) and the Historic Courthouse for Country Christmas on December 13th and 20th (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm).
In the Placer article noted above, this was how I was introduced:
We are pleased to introduce Ralph Gibson, our newly hired Education Curator, who began work on October 16th. Ralph has a Master’s degree in Anthropology/Archaeology and has held a variety of museum positions, most recently as curator of a Victorian house museum in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Ralph Gibson getting into the Halloween spirit with pumpkins, ghosts, and one of his favorite objects in our collection: a sinister –looking clown figurine.
New Donation Highlight
By Kasia Woroniecka , Curator of Collections
Old Auburn Cemetery Tour
Volunteer Appreciation Movie Event
Many thanks to all our incredible museum volunteers who joined us for the Volunteer Appreciation Movie Event on October 20th! We were thrilled to host this special gathering as a small token of our appreciation for your time, energy, and dedication. We hope you enjoyed “Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein” and the chance to unwind with fellow volunteers.
Volunteer Spotlight
By Katy Bartosh, Curator of Education
Rocklin Historical Society
It's football season, and what better time to celebrate the Magical 17 – those unforgettable summers the San Francisco 49ers trained at Sierra College? Our exhibit, Rocklin at Play, Sports and Recreation Through the Years includes a look at the 49ers during their time here and our local linebacker Dan Bunz’s crucial role in the team's victory in Super Bowl XVI, where he made a famous goal-line tackle known as "The Stop" against the Cincinnati Bengals.
From 1981 to 1997, Rocklin served as the team’s seasonal home base—a period that coincided with the 49ers’ golden era, during which they clinched all four of their Super Bowl victories (XVI, XIX, XXIII, and XXIV). Locals recall glimpses of legends like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice honing their skills on Rocklin turf, while the community rallied around the excitement of championship-caliber football in its own backyard. This exhibit honors not only the 49ers’ historic run but also Rocklin’s enduring spirit of recreation, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the years.
The Rocklin History Museum, located at 3895 Rocklin Road, is open weekends from 1-4pm. Admission is free.
Ralph Gibson's Retirement Party
Placer County Historical Society
On October 1st, the Society signed a contract to rent the Old Town Post Office building!
We will be opening this historically significant building very soon. We will be using it, keeping the interior intact, for a welcome /history center. Lots of plans being made.
We are going to need help to keep the doors open. Please consider volunteering for a 4- hour shift once a month. Contact me at April.pchs@gmail.com if you can volunteer just a small amount of your time.
Ralph Gibson, the Museum Director, received the annual History Award at the PCHS dinner on October 2nd. The Award is given by the Society and the Placer County Historical Foundation.
The Award recognizes all the different ways that Ralph has supported and fostered the history of Placer County.
Old Town Auburn post office c. 1910. PCM. PCHS Collection
Placer County Historical Society Dinner Meeting
Please go to www.placercountyhistoricalsociety.org for more information
