Sept.-Oct., 2015

Get the ‘Inside Scoop’ at Our 2016 History Conference

Want the inside story on exciting past transgressions our local history? Then, plan now to attend the 2016 Congress of History Conference, to get the “inside scoop.”  Theme for the two-day conference, to be held Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, 2016, will be: Scandals & Scoundrels.

Interesting and hilarious presentations about local scandals & scoundrels,  from our early history up to 1964, have already been accepted by the Conference Planning Committee,  chaired by CoH President Dianne Cowen.

CoH organizational members will have exhibit tables and books, to augment the presentations. Congress of History members, and the public, are invited to attend this fun, fascinating event!  Watch this website, and blog, or our member newsletter, Adelante, for updated information as March draws closer.  Save the conference dates!  Don’t miss this one!

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Congratulations to Carol Crafts!

Super-volunteer Carol Crafts was honored this summer by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for her dedication to local history and county parks, when she was named the County Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Month for July 2015.  Carol’s active with the Santee Historical Society, the Poway Historical Society, the Friends of Goodan Ranch, and the San Diego County Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve. She is the librarian of the Poway Historical Society, archivist of the Santee Historical Society, and a member of the Congress of History.

She was one of the ones who helped in the resurrection of the Santee Historical Society (SHS-link) in 2008, after the 2007 death of SHS founder, Harriette Wade.

That Santee group now meets in the 1913 restored Dairy/Polo/Edgemoor Barn, located at 9200 Magnolia Ave., Santee.  Back on May 16, 1986 the Dairy/Polo Barn was added to the National Registry of Historic Places. That barn is the only remaining structure from the historic Edgemoor Farm/Hospital complex that was an important part of the Santee community, for so many years.

The barn is now a museum of Santee history, open to the public for free. For days and hours of operation, call the museum at: (619) 449-2024. (They can accommodate groups, with prior notice.)   . . .

Celebrate October as California Archaeology Month

at the Annual Arch in the Park

October is California Archaeology Month, and the annual Arch in the Park event will be offered on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Los Peñasquitos Adobe Ranch House County Park.

Congratulations to the main sponsor of this event, the San Diego County Archaeological Society (SDCAS-link), for doing such a super job, for so many years, organizing this annual outreach to the public.

SDCAS President Natalie Brodie reports in their member newsletter that “… we are prepared to educate and entertain our community. We’re aiming to increase the reach for Arch in the Park and will likely have a more diverse base of participants. The winners from the ‘Celebrating the Art in Archaeology’ Art Show will be awarded at Arch in the Park, so don’t miss it!  See you all at Arch in the Park in October!”  Mark your calendars NOW!   . . .

Encinitas Historical Society asks: 

‘Are You New School or Old School?’ 

The Encinitas Historical Society (EHS-link) has an interesting article in their most-recent newsletter, The Little Oaks. Titled“Are You New School or Old School?” the article explains that the society now offers two different ways to learn about their restored, 1883 schoolhouse, and other historic homes and buildings in their coastal community.

The “New School” method is by the use of your smart phone. Download the free app “Otocast” on the phone. Go to the location that interest you (for example, the schoolhouse, located at 390 West  F  St., corner of 4th St., Encinitas 92024), then allow your smart phone to access your location. From there you can take a self-guided audio tour that includes maps, historical descriptions, and photos, all on your phone!

The “Old School” method is to take a docent-led tour at the schoolhouse. Docent-led walking tours will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and again on Saturday Nov. 21.

Whichever method you choose, New School or Old School, you’re sure to enjoy hearing about, and seeing, the history of this North County community. Kudos to EHS for developing the smart-phone tour. It’s a good idea for any society or museum to offer options when reaching-out to engage the interest of the public.

Encinitas reports Longer Museum Hours, 

Due to an Increase in Volunteers

“I’m happy to report,” says Encinitas Historical Society President Carol Cope, “that we have more volunteer docents than we have ever had, so we’ve been able to expand our operating hours.” The restored, historic schoolhouse is now open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 and on Saturday, November 21, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month.    . . .

Before I finish writing this column, I want to be sure to say “Happy Belated 90th Birthday” to Lloyd O’Connell, mainstay of the EHS and a long-time Congress of History member. The society celebrated his birthday at a party back in March (sorry I missed it, Lloyd!).  He’s the Docent Emeritus of the society, a title that’s well-earned!

Well, it’s time to say goodbye for this edition.  Until the next Adelante, our Holiday Edition in November, have fun out there, and take care. . . . Helen Halmay, Editor