Promoting interest in the history of Tulare County and preserving the heritage of our area for future generations ~

Highlights From 2009

By Delora Buckman, TCHS President

{Los Tulares, March 2010, #248}

It was a busy and fast-paced year! We started with our January Annual Membership meeting in Exeter. Then new officers and directors received an orientation presented by past President Terry Ommen. Regular board meetings were held in Springville, Tulare, Dinuba and Three Rivers. 

History Day 2009 carried the theme of “Documentaries.” Madeline Frantz, Brent Gill and Dick Piepenburg served as judges. Two contestants from Cherry Avenue School in Tulare gave their video presentations on Thomas Edison and John Muir at our March meeting in Tulare. 

We awarded grants to two recipients:  1) St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which is documenting their history in a 150^th Anniversary book; and 2) Jackie Weiner, who is reproducing glass slides by famed photographer C. C. Curtis, as well as a book about Curtis and his wife. 

We were shocked and disappointed to learn that the Election Tree Historical Marker had been stolen and sold as scrap metal. Past President Kevin Caskey reported the theft to authorities and the thieves were apprehended. TCHS Vice President Brent Gill and I appeared at the sentencing phase and spoke about the importance of this marker in Tulare County’s history. Our Society members are developing plans for a replacement marker.  

The second “Valley Oak Discovery Tour” was led by Alan George, Terry Ommen and Sandy Newman. Again, it was a huge hit, reservations for the bus trip filled quickly. 

The 13^th Annual BBQ/Auction Fundraiser was held on the museum grounds at Mooney Grove Park. It was well attended and helped raise money for museum improvements. 

We were honored to participate in the Annie R. Mitchell School Dedication. Miss Mitchell’s book, The Way is Was, was donated along with several Los Tulares newsletters. These items will help students learn more about historian Annie Mitchell. 

“Tales From the Tomb,” created by TCHS Director Dallas Pattee, was held at Smith Mountain Cemetery near Dinuba. Approximately 100 people attended; this event gets bigger and better each year. Dallas puts a tremendous amount of research, talent and work into this wonderful program. 

We took part in the unveiling of Visalia Community Bank’s 2010 Calendar which each year highlights twelve wonderful historic photographs from throughout Tulare County.

The BIG event of the year was the new Tulare County Museum of Farm Labor and Agriculture in November. More than 500 invited guests attended the dedication ceremony, which incidentally took place 60 years after dedication of the original Tulare County Museum. Southern California Edison generously donated $100,000 to the learning center at the museum. Take time to visit both museums—there is a wealth of exciting and valuable information.

It is important that the Tulare County Historical Society maintains consistent visibility, whether it be through our own events, partnerships or in the media. History reminds us who we are and why we are the way we are. I wish to extend a gracious thank you to the Board of Directors, which has been a tremendous help, and I look forward to another productive year.

THE SOCIETY

In 1922, a group of people interested in the historical preservation of the original Tulare County organized Tulare County Historical Society. Much of the credit for that project must be attributed to Miss Gretchen Flower, a long time Tulare County Librarian at that time, and to George W. Stewart, who was known as the "Father of Sequoia National Park." For a time the Society prospered, but interest and membership gradually declined.

The Society was revived in 1943 and the group then identified three general goals. 1) Preservation of the past of original Tulare County 2) Construction of a museum, and 3) Observation of the Centennials of both Tulare County and Visalia. Adolph Sweet was elected the first President of the Tulare County Historical Society in October 1944. Several hundred people from all parts of the county attended the meeting in the old Visalia City Auditorium.

Today, the Society has accomplished its original goals set forth in 1943. We continue promoting interest in the history of Tulare County and preserving the heritage of our area for future generations!

TULARE COUNTY

In California's San Joaquin Valley

Alpaugh - Badger - California Hot Springs - Camp Nelson - Corcoran - Cutler - Dinuba - Ducor - Earlimart - Exeter - Farmersville - Goshen - Ivanhoe - Kaweah - Lemon Cove - Lindsay - Miramonte - Orosi - Pixley - Porterville - Posey - Richgrove - Springville - Strathmore - Sultana - Terra Bella - Three Rivers - Tipton - Traver - Tulare - Visalia - Waukena - Woodlake - Yettem

Visit Other Tulare County Websites

Alta District Historical Society

California Historical Society

Eshom Valley

Exeter Historical Museum

Historic Happenings - A Visalia History Forum

Three Rivers Historical Society

Tulare Historical Museum