Forestville Historical Society Minutes
August 1999
1. The Meeting was called to order at 3:15 P.M., and introductons made.
2. The minutes of the last meeting, July 7, 1999 were read
The treasurer’s report was read and shows a balance of $50.00 from dues paid to date.
3. There was an announcement of the up-coming History Tour to be put on by Jeff Tobes’ Forestville School students the weekend of October 2-3, 1999.
The tour will include signs made and placed by the children at historic sites around Forestville. They will tell visitors on the tour all about the various sites.
Invitation to the History Tour and Reunion Celebration of the 100th Anniversa ry of the Forestville School is open to all who have ever attended this school throughout the years. Of course anyone is welcome to the tour.
Fund raising at the tour for the Forestville Historical Society was discussed. No food is to be served, but there will be other items available.
4. An announcements were made concerning activities of other Historical Societies of the County of Sonoma. to which our Society members have been invited.
1. Monte Rio Area Historical Society will have a Pot Luck Picnic August 21st at Vince Pedroia’s ranch, 13799 Occidental Road. Everyone attending should bring a dish to share. The beverages will be furnished.
Call 632-5600 for more information.
2. The Sonoma County Historical Society will hold a picnic lunch at Bouverie Preserve, a State Historical Park near Glen Ellen Sunday , August 15th. Everyone should bring their own picnic lunch, and soft drinks, wine and beer will be provided. The address is 13935 Sonoma Hwy. Call Harry Lapham by Aug. 10 to RSVP.
5. A discussion of the Mission Statement of Forestville Historical Society ensued in which the following goals were declared:
1. To collect and preserve the history of Forestville .
2. To collect and preserve oral histories of as many old-timers and members of pioneer families as possible .
3. To put history books into the Forestville Library as archival material .
6. Open Discussion followed with suggestions to:
1. Make links from and to our Web Site of <www.sonic.net/forestville> with other Historical Societies to help surfers find us and know we exist.
(my thought as I write this is to see if we can be connected to other Sonoma County Web Sites. Specifically through the Press Democrat site, the Sonoma Co. Genealogical Society site, a banner ad at Sonic,net home site, other Historical Societies as previously mentioned, community-activities listings for the county , and in educational sites. It would not be a bad idea to be listed in the On -Q and/or entertainment pages of the Press Democrat if possible? VB)
2. We discussed more ways to publicize our meetings such as posters in all the libraries, including SRJC and Sonoma State and possibly other schools and colleges in the area to possibly get young people interested.
3. It was decided to make a list of the older families and persons we want to interview for our archival collection and to:
4. Interview the ones on the list.
5. A National Archives connection was considered.
6. It was decided one of our members would contact the Landmarks Commission . She would ask for the procedure to follow to get "Points of Interest" permanent markers, with a number and listing in the State Points of Interest List, for each one of Forestville’s historic places.
7. We discussed having a newsletter to help entice new members. A copy of the newsletter would be part of the application for membership along with the invitation to join and attend meetings.
8. The content of a newsletter was discussed, for example, columns on history of local towns and of Sonoma Co. over-all. It would list future meetings as well as speakers and their topics. Several members could be enlisted to write columns in the field of their knowledge and expertise. There could also be articles telling the stories of the landmarks, as well as stories the older residents might want to share. We could advertise other Historical Societies and exchange information with them about meetings and special events. Museums could be a featured column.
7. Ruth Marra , past president of the California Conference of Historical Societies and Regional Vice President for five surrounding countieswas our speaker of the day. She encouraged us to join the CCHS in the future for the benefits they can give.
Ruth’s topic was the June 11-14" Bear Flag Revolt" in Sonoma Plaza in 1846, when for a brief 26 days California was its own Republic, with the Bear Flag as it’s symbol.
The following books used for reference were recommended to us for further information and enjoyment:
People of the Pueblo The Men of the Bear Flag Revolt
@ 1937 and 1948 @ 1996
by Celeste Murphy by Barbara Warner
8. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 P.M.
The next meeting will be September 1st at 3:00 P.m.
Respectfully submitted, Verna Blanc, secretary