Administrator’s Notes
by Bryanna Ryan, Museums Administrator
As we head into summer, our team is busy with an array of annual tasks and some new changes. The Golden Drift Museum and Forest Hill Divide Museum opened for the summer and just in time for the kickoff to the 17th annual Heritage Trail. With the nice weather, many partner museums are reporting their largest numbers yet for their official trail days.
The Bernhard Museum will host its special trail day on Saturday, July 11th and then be closed from July 21st through July 24th for annual cleaning. At the Placer County Museum, soon it will be out with the Victorian Capes exhibit and in with an exhibit about Medical Quackery featuring several pieces from the Gold Country Medical History Museum collection.
We are about to begin our summer training session for new volunteers and happy to have several already signed up to join us. Now is a great time to sign up or reach out if you would like to learn more at museums@placer.ca.gov.
We are happy to welcome Jessica Munster to our staff as our newest team member! Jessica will be assisting Kasia with the museum collections and working on Sundays to help open and close museums. Meanwhile, we are in the final stages of filling our Curator of Archives and Supervising Curator positions so hopefully by the next newsletter, we will have more staffing news to share.
This July 4th, we recognize and celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary and the historic legacy of the United States of America.
By Kasia Woroniecka , Curator of Collections
This tray came from a collection of artifacts belonging to Fred Adolph Edler, a gunsmith and locksmith shop owner from Folsom. Born in Germany, Edler was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in Sacramento in 1864. In 1872, he opened a second shop in Carson City. He later built a home on Sacramento Street in Auburn and served as Justice of the Peace for Placer County Township No. 3. Edler died in Sacramento in 1892.
The tray is an example of toleware, a decorative style of painted and lacquered tinware that originated in Europe during the 18th century and became popular in both Europe and America through the early 20th century. Toleware was often decorated with hand-painted floral motifs, landscapes, figures, and gilt decoration. The center illustration on this tray depicts three children playing in a garden, a scene characteristic of the sentimental and pastoral imagery commonly found on Victorian-era toleware.
Summer on the Heritage Trail
By Katy Bartosh, Curator of Education
Summer is well underway, and the Heritage Trail is once again inviting visitors to discover all the incredible stories, places, and people that make Placer County so amazing! This countywide event brings together nonprofit organizations, museums, historical societies, cultural sites, and the Placer County Museums Division to offer free museum weekends throughout the summer. From history and culture to science and natural resources, Heritage Trail truly showcases what our incredible county has to offer. And better yet, this year marks the 175th anniversary of our county’s incorporation.
Fruitvale School Museum
We're only a month into this year's trail, and hundreds of visitors have already enjoyed an impressive lineup of museums. Roseville opened the summer by showcasing community jewels like the Maidu Museum & Historic Site, the Carnegie Museum, the Telephone Museum, and the Sierra College Natural History Museum. Then the Fruitvale Schoolhouse Museum welcomed guests while partnering with the UC Master Gardeners to highlight the Native Plant Garden. Visitors also ventured west to explore the Lincoln Area Archives Museum and the Wheatland History Museum, discovering the rich agricultural history of western Placer and neighboring Yuba County. Even a power outage couldn't dampen the the Loomis Basin weekend with the Griffith Quarry, Loomis Basin Historical Society, and Rocklin History Museum. of western Placer and neighboring Yuba County. Even a power outage couldn't dampen the the Loomis Basin weekend with the Griffith Quarry, Loomis Basin Historical Society, and Rocklin History Museum.
By the time you read this, the trail will have continued through Auburn with the DeWitt History Museum, Auburn Journal Newspaper Museum, Placer Athletic Hall of Fame, and Western States Trail Museum welcoming visitors.
DeWitt History Museum
Heritage Trail is far from over! There are still many weekends ahead offering exciting new events to enjoy. Be sure to pick up a trail guide, collect your stamps, and experience what makes our county so special. I hope to see you on the trail!
Placer County Fair
By Katy Bartosh, Curator of Education
The Placer County Museums Division was excited to participate in this year's Placer County Fair, where the county served as the presenting sponsor. The fair is a great opportunity for county departments and divisions to connect directly with the public, share the services we provide, and celebrate the many ways we serve our community.
With this year's fair theme, "Past, Present & Future," it was the perfect fit for the Museums. Kaitlin and I staffed a booth on opening day, saw the ribbon-cutting ceremony and got a visit from county CEO Daniel Chatigny. I came back on Sunday and the fairgrounds were bustling with families. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce visitors to the Heritage Trail, answer questions about our museums, and encourage people to explore the county's rich history.
One of the highlights of this year's fair was the addition of historical markers placed throughout the fairgrounds, allowing visitors to learn about important moments from Placer County's history as they explored the grounds. It was a thoughtful way to connect this year's theme with the county’s ongoing celebration of Placer’s 175th Anniversary. It's always fun to get outside the museum and meet people where they are. Events like the fair remind us that sharing our county's history isn't limited to our museums, it's something we can bring into the community, sparking curiosity and inspiring future visits to the museums that preserve our county's remarkable story.
Volunteer Spotlight
By Katy Bartosh, Curator of Education
In this issue of the Placer I’d like to highlight Jim LoBue. Jim is relatively new the museums’ but it’s been great having him with us so far. Most recently, Jim volunteered at the Griffith Quarry Heritage Trail and reprised his role as Griffith Griffith. It was fun having a character from the past “come alive” to talk to visitors about the Quarry’s history. When he’s not at the quarry, you can also find Jim docenting at the Gold Rush Museum and the Placer County. Museum. We’re not the only ones lucky to have Jim volunteering with us! Jim also volunteers with the Auburn State Recreation Area Canyon Keepers.
Thanks for all you do, Jim!
Rocklin Historical Society
By Linda Wampler
Placer County Historical Society Dinner Meeting
Please go to www.placercountyhistoricalsociety.org for more information.
Al Keena in front of Auburn Courthouse in carriage decorated for a 4th of July holiday parade. c. 1909.
PCM, Placer County Historical Society Collection
Placer County Historical Organizations
Calendar:
Foresthill Divide Historical Society Meeting: Monday, July 20th at 6:00 p.m.
Golden Drift Historical Society Meeting: Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m.
Historical Advisory Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 19h at 5:30 p.m.
Loomis Basin Historical Society Meeting: Wednesday, July 15h at 6:00 p.m.
Placer County Historical Society Meeting: Thursday, July 2nd at 2:00 p.m.
Placer Sierra Railroad Heritage Society: Tuesday, July 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Rocklin Historical Society Meeting: Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Roseville Historical Society Meeting: Tuesday, July 14th at 4:00 p.m.
