OSLHP Newsletter - July 2003

President’s Message

I am holding the newsletter a few days to make sure I include the most up to date information as possible. First, I want to thank Ray Closs for all of his hard work. Ray has resigned is position as Treasurer. He has served this organization very well and I am sure the next treasurer will work as hard to keep the program running smoothly.

The next two years are going to be filled with tremendous changes for the Program. By next summer the Program is to be moved from the control of Old Sacramento Management to a non-profit foundation called Historic Old Sacramento Foundation. This will allow the program to grow with better leadership from above. I anticipate keeping my director’s position and becoming full time. As always it will be up to the members to make sure the changes are for the good of the organization and to give time for this adjustments. For now onward and upward and we will continue to operate

To clear up a big point of confusion: No money that the Program has earned has been taken away to pay for non-living history items. We did have a small budget given to the program by Old Sacramento Management which was taken way when it was needed elsewhere. The group does not pay for the facility, utilities, paper for copies, or the director.

The next matter of great concern “What is happening to the money that everyone works so hard for?” The money raised by members of the Program will now be held in a separate checking account from other Management funds. All cash except for an amount allowed by the City will be transferred to this new account. I will be one of the signatures on the account as well as Ed Astone and one other person from Old Sac Management. This is a concession to the Program. As an organization we do have not the papers necessary to open our own checking account. We do keep records of what is earned and how it is spent. Everyone is welcome to approach the treasurer or me to have these records reviewed with you. At the monthly general meetings a total of money in the treasury will be given.

“Why do we continue to raise money?” The Program raises money to support its growth into new areas such as the after school program, to pay for items which make the program more authentic such as tents, to promote outreach in the community and to be better re-enactors. I know we all pay for much of our own supplies and costumes but the benefits of raising money helps with the bigger costs. I don’t know how many people can donate a tent or even supplies for activities such as the Bonnet Promenade.

Executive Council Meetings

The next meeting of the Executive Council will be July 1, 7 to 9 pm at the Living History Center.

Bylaws

Due to lack of time and need for more discussion the new bylaws will not be voted on until the August general meeting. If you have any questions or comments please contact Amy.

General Meeting

The July meeting will be on Saturday the 12th from 10 am to 12 noon at the Living History Center, followed by a stroll from 1 pm to 3 pm. Park in the I Street lot. You will receive a parking coupon.

Membership Dues

These are payable now and are due July 1. If the dues are not paid by October first you will be dropped from membership. Membership dues are Individual $25, Family $35, Senior $12, and Senior Couple $16. If you want to be a member and need a fee waiver please see Amy Whitlatch. Amy will keep all information confidential. Only the number of paid memberships and not who paid will be given to the treasurer. Please make checks out to Old Sacramento Living History Program.

Treasurer Needed

Due to the resignation of Ray Closs if you feel you have the right stuff speak up. We will be taking nominations from the floor at the July 12 general meeting. You will need to attend Executive Board meetings every other month usually the first Tuesday of the month. As a bonus you will be given free parking in the Orleans Lot.

Volunteer Awards

Please turn in your time sheet to be considered for Volunteer of the Year. This award is solely based on hours on the time sheets. Other awards include Most Ambitious Volunteer, Most New Member Recruitments and Five Years as a Volunteer. Time sheets need to be turned into Mel Picanco or Amy Whitlatch.

Volunteer Appreciation Party

The volunteer appreciation party will be July 27, 1 pm to 3 pm at William Land Park. Please turn in your time sheets to be considered for Volunteer of the year. They need to be turned in no later than July 1, 2003.

If members want they can meet before the ice cream social to have a pot luck BBQ. We have the picnic space from 10 am to 4 pm. Also you can buy discount tickets to the Sacramento Zoo through Amy. They can only be used on the same day as the Volunteer Appreciation Party July 27th. The price for tickets is $5.50 for adults and $3.50 for children. Please make check s out to Old Sacramento Living History Program

If you are not an active member the price for ice cream will be $1.00 and for guests $2.00. This will include beverages, ice cream and sundae bar. Please sign up early to be sure enough ice cream is ordered. Contact Amy to sign up.

New Members!!!!

Please welcome our newest members Vivien Crampton and Michelle Kunert. Vivien can be reached at 916-663-1921 and Michelle can be reached at 916-487-8091. 

Library Coordinator Needed

We are still in need on someone to manage our library of reference books. This requires someone to continue to update the information Amy already started and consolidate the location of our books in the workroom. Please volunteer if you can. 

Run for the Arts

Applications and donation forms are now available at the Living History Center or at <www.raceforthearts.com> The race is August 8th at 7:30 pm. If you register you will receive a t-shirt, refreshments and free parking. The race is on the CSU Sacramento Campus. I would like to have a large group in costume to walk the first ½ mile of the race and then go for refreshments. If you don’t want to participate donate the $20 registration fee to the Program. All money raised by the group will go to the Program. Every year many merchants in Old Sacramento donate money to the group as well as several members. Please contact Amy for more information 264-8142.

Contra Dances

The Living History Program is co-sponsoring Contra Dances in Waterfront Park, Wednesday July 16th and August 13th with Bob O’Brien and the Coyote Contra Band. This is the same band and caller we hire for the Gold Rush Day Cotillion. The dances are 7 to 10:30 pm and you will be charged $4 to get in at the July dance. The August dance will be free to members of the Living History Program.

Jazz Concert and Living History Program Raffle

The Old Sacramento Living History Program is the beneficiary of the raffle sales of the Wednesday night Jazz Concerts in Old Sacramento. Merchants will donate the raffle items and all we need to do is sell the tickets. I need two people to come Wednesdays from 5:45 to 8:50 pm to Waterfront Park starting September 10 until October 8th. Not only will you be helping the Living History Program but you get to here great Jazz music too. Please contact Amy for sign ups. You will be given a two hour parking validation and reimbursement.

PAST EVENTS

Old Sacramento Commercial

By Terry Nelson. 

A commercial touting the benefits of Old Sacramento was filmed June 4. OSLHP was invited to have costumed members provide atmosphere. We interacted with the actors playing a family visiting, and a pass by of the gentlemen (Mel Picanso, Ray Clauss and Jason Hollingsworth) standing at the B.F. Hastings building by the ladies, Mary Carlson and Terry Nelson, who were dubbed the synchronized curtsey team. We also did much of the film industries “waiting around”. All the crew was very nice to and most appreciative. Cold water and snacks were provided, the beef jerky making all of us wistful for Gold Rush Days. All in all, it was a most pleasant experience. Just hope we don’t all end up on the cutting room floor.

Did You Know

In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase “goodnight, sleep tight”.

Columbia Miners’ Diggins Re-enactment

Columbia Miners' Diggin's took place Thursday - Sunday, June 5, 6, 7 & 8. This is a Living History Event with it’s own history that goes back thirty-three years and this year's event was the best one yet. The Miners' Diggin's recreates the gold rush town of Columbia circa 1852 with a great number and variety of wood-framed, canvas-covered buildings, some having wooden false fronts. This year, the American Hotel had been newly reconstructed and was much improved over the structure that had served as the hotel for many years. Susie Webb was the hospitable proprietress of this fine establishment. Will Dunniway was there again this year with his Daguerrian Studio, doing ferro-type images of Living History participants. This year I set up a Phrenologist's shop which did a booming business reading the bumps and protrusions on peoples' heads. I made my debut as Professor Flatbroke B. Dodge and sold Professor Dodge's Celebrated Brain Tonic, Hair Invigorator and Cholera Preventer, Phrenology posters and Gold Mine Stock certificates, and people still managed to take me seriously. My business did very well; so well in fact, that I found it difficult to get away from my shop long enough to avail myself of enjoying the fine food and entertainment that was available. There was a trio from San Diego, Los Californianos performing the music and songs of Mexican California, a couple of their musicians also performed Minstrel melodies with Ed Sims, a terrifically talented performer from Sacramento. The Diggin's has it's own troupe of performers who sing songs from the gold rush such as "Hangtown Gals", "Wait for the Music (and we'll all have a dance)", & etc., to the almost overwhelming approbation of the audience. Some of the regular crew from Sutter's Fort was there playing music all day and into the evening. There was a brass band playing for Casino Night on Saturday evening, while Prof. Dodge proceeded to dispose of his script money as fast as possible playing Faro, Roulette, Passe Le Doux and Monte. Biscuits the Blacksmith thoroughly enjoyed himself at the gaming tables and assisted with the auction at the close of the evening. Altogether the event was a smashing success, a lot of fun for both visitors and participants, as well as your humble servant,
Professor Flatbroke B. Dodge
aka Ken Knott

Points to Ponder

Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

COMING EVENTS

Visitor’s Center Grand Re-Opening

This will take place sometime in July. If you would like to be notified of when it happens please let Amy know. It is located at 1004 Second Street next to the Wells Fargo Museum.

Gold Rush Days

Meetings have already begun for planning and scheduling Gold Rush Days activities. If you want to be involved please contact Amy and she will get you in touch with the person who best fits your interest.

Who Are We?

Doris Wolfinger-Zins

By Christina Carter

I came to this place called California in 1847. I was 20 years old, a widow, and destitute. My husband had perished on the trail at the hands of fellow travelers, and all our possessions were lost. The surviving travelers and I are more commonly known as the “Ill fated Donner Party Survivors.” I am Doris Wolfinger-Zins. I was born in 1827 in Germany. My parents were wealthy and I was pampered. My father arranged for me to marry a much older gentleman, Mr. Wolfinger, who was kind to me for the short time we were together. In 1845 we set sail for America and soon found ourselves on the road to California. In October of 1846, another traveler - Joseph Rinehart, murdered Mr. Wolfinger. After that, I stayed with the kindhearted George and Tamzen Donner. When we were trapped up there at Alder Creek, it was Tamzen’s strength that kept me going and inspired me to make something more of myself. We had talked about when we got off the awful mountain, how we would make changes in society and so on. I was rescued in February 1847, by the first relief party. Tamzen never made it off the mountain. I then settled in at Sutter’s Fort to try to piece together a new life for myself, for there was no going back for me. I soon met a Frenchman by the name of George Zins. He and several German boys had traveled only a few months ahead of me, and had gone up into Oregon first. We soon formed a strong friendship and on June 20, 1847, I married George Zins. George and I lived for a time in a canvas tent in Suttersville (Sacramento City). I assisted George in his brick-making business for Sutter’s Fort. We soon built a large brick house, which was the first brick structure in Sacramento City and I believe was the first brick structure in California. In the spring of 1849, we built another brick house on a riverfront lot that Sutter gave us at Front, Second, M and N Streets. Ox teams moved enough bricks from the Suttersville operation to build a 35 x 60-foot building. The two-story building was originally intended as a residence, but now houses two stores on the first floor and a hotel, “Anchor House” on the second floor. We are currently working on establishing a brewery on 29th Street, between J and K Streets. It will be the first operating Brewery in Sacramento, so come on down once we finish.