OSLHP Newsletter - November 2003

President’s Message

Finally a break! Ghost tours went really well, we raised over $4,000. The last two weekends were completely booked well in advance and it went off without too much problem. Two more things for the year include the Santa Parade and Christmas Caroling. Next to spring. Yes, we are already planning spring activities. Liz is hard at work with the spring play and Vivien has agreed to co-chair Women’s History Day. Looking at the calendar I realize I now have been a member for 6 years. When I first joined I never would of thought I would eventually become the director. For anyone who knows me, they would never have believed I would still be a member. I am usually a very quiet person not known for joining groups. This may not have been an exact fit when I joined, but I have grown to love the group, its mission and made the program fit my needs. 

Volunteer Recognition

Thanks to the entire crew of Ghost Tours, especially Jan Bullard who wrote a historical and entertaining script in a very short time. This has been a fun first year and a profitable venue for OSLHP. Next year will be even better

Standing Committee GRD

Penny Adams and Mel Picanco have volunteered to be the co-chairs of this committee. If you would like to help please contact Penny or Mel .

Did You Know?

Junk is something you keep for years and then throw away three weeks before you need it.

Past Events

Ghost Tours

By Terry Nelson

Ghost Tours have been successful beyond our wildest dreams. People responded to our flyers from Gold Rush and the spots on Good Morning and Good Evening Sacramento. Word of Mouth was involved too. I had 4 friends who tried to get tickets and couldn’t because we were sold out. In spite of this being put together very quickly, we outdid ourselves. Plans are already in the making to have improvements and additions for next year. 

Coloma 49’er Days

Coloma was quite profitable for Mademoiselle Roulette and “G” and their gambling! At times there was standing room only and even a line to get to their table! What were inspiring were the sermons on Sunday. Yes, there were two sermons ~ one by the good Reverend Hawkins at the Church telling the townspeople to set Sunday aside for relaxation which M’selle Roulette took to mean leave the mining and gold panning and gamble for a chance at a fortune instead (half of the house winnings at Mademoiselle Roulette’s table on Sunday went to the church as a result) ~ the other was a sermon brought to the people by Reverend Cool (Rex Ruth) right at camp denouncing slavery from those who have come from the south and brought their slaves with them. He was even acclaimed by the local mule during the heat of his sermon! All in all, the Coloma 49’er Family Festival was very well attended by many who had attended our very own Gold Rush Days and remembered Mademoiselle Roulette and Signor Renato “G” Ghirardelli and all the events experienced during that time.

By M’selle Roulette

The Family 49’er Festival was bigger and better than ever this year. I estimate the number of Living History participants to be about 40, with another 20 who were day-trippers. This event has always attracted few visitors, and the number of Living History folks keeps growing, so it seems like the event is intended to be more for the re-enactors. I enjoyed visiting with Jim Miller and Larry Baumgartner from Columbia SHP, Clarence Sutton and Bill Brown from Sutter's Fort, and others like Rex Ruth, currently a docent at Coloma, Chris Bayer from Carson City, and Ed Sims of Sacramento. Chris and Ed played some tunes on the banjo and bone castanets. I attempted to play the jawbone, but unfortunately it broke, much to my dismay. Jim and Larry brought a new contraption they had made to pump water from the river to their flume; from there it flowed into their long-tom. These guys are serious gold miners! Too bad the claim had been played out for a hundred some-odd years!! I set up the Phrenology shop inside the Hanson's Leather Mercantile Sutlery tent, enjoying the company of Rick Neilsen when I wasn't busy reading peoples' heads. Mademoiselle Roulette & Signor Ghirardelli were there with Clancy (Clarence Sutton), to teach children how to play Faro. Clancy tells the children that gambling is not a game of chance, at least not the way he plays it! Ray Closs and Elyse Bagley were there with Bob Russo of the Railroad Museum and their Colt's Firearm Demonstration. Next year it would be really great if Old Sacramento Living History set up a small encampment of our own at the Coloma 49’er Family Festival.

Your ob't serv't,

Professor Flatbroke B. Dodge

Sacramento’s Buried Past

By Mary Carlson

Mother Baldwin and Mrs. Gail Cole attended the opening of Sacramento’s Buried Past at the Discovery Museum. A wonderful glass floor displayed artifacts of the past including remnants of an actual Chinese laundry. Broken and whole pottery, tools, buttons and coins are among the items shown in the well-lit newest wonder of Old Sacramento. Those attending stepped cautiously onto the glass floor, which we were told could hold heavy-duty construction equipment. Mayor Heather Fargo and local politicians spoke words of high praise for this special exhibit and indicated a desire, funds permitting, to explore additional locations of this nature in the future. The hope is to have places throughout original Sacramento where tourists could walk on glass sidewalks and view the history below.

Important Facts

Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
Remember, once you get over the hill, you start to pick up speed.

Coming Events

Santa Parade

Will be November 29th this year. Decorating of the float will be on Friday November 28th. Time and location will be announced at the next General Meeting on Nov 8. If you are helping with the float and can’t make the meeting, call Penny Adams at for time and location.

Best of Sacramento

Old Sacramento won "Best Tourist Attraction Locals Can Enjoy" in Sacramento Magazine's 2003 Best of Sacramento Readers' Poll!
Sacramento Magazine's Best of Sacramento Party will be held on Thursday, November 20, from 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at the Sacramento Convention Center. Two members are invited to come in costume to eat, meet and pass out gold nuggets at the event. The event is Thursday November 20th and you would need to be there 6 to 9pm. Parking and Dinner are paid for. To volunteer call Amy as soon as possible at 264-8142 or email oslhp@oslhp.net.

A Taste of History

The Sacramento County Historical Society is having its annual holiday party at the Golden State Museum. We are having a table to offer tastes from a Victorian Kitchen and to provide entertainment in the form of caroling. If you would like to volunteer to come in costume to either help at the table or carol please contact Amy. For those who want to attend but not come in costume the cost is $15 and RSVP to Mary Helmich (evenings).

OSLHP Holiday Party

This year’s party will be held December 13 11am to 2pm at the clubhouse where Terry Nelson lives. More information and directions to follow.

Sacramento Convention Bureau Holiday Party

The OSLHP has been invited again to do meet and greet and strolling Christmas caroling at this great event. The event takes place December 3, 4 to 7:30 pm. This is a paid OSLHP event and your parking will be reimbursed. If you want to volunteer call Amy 264-8142.

Love and Passion in the Gold Fields

Writing of this play is well under way. The casting call will be December 6 10 am to Noon at the Living History Center. If you would like to be an actor or work behind the scenes and have not signed up, please contact Liz. Performance dates are going to be Saturday February 28 and Sunday February 29 at the Old Eagle Theatre.

Christmas Caroling

There will be one rehearsal for the caroling, during the first week of December. Date, time and place will be announced at the November 8 General Meeting. We will participate in the opening of the Holiday Season on Tuesday, December 9 and plan to carol on Dec 12-13 and 19-20. This is Friday evenings and Sat afternoons. Please contact Susan Goodrich or Terry Nelson to sign up if you haven’t already.

After School Program Earl Warren Elementary

I am very pleased to announce that I have 16 to 18 children in the class who are anxious to learn and participate. It is a very culturally diverse group and to be teaching them about Sacramento history is really fun. November 2, 10:30 to Noon, the after school program will be coming to Old Sacramento to have a guided tour and meet our group, please sign up. November 25th I would like people to come and talk specifically about the Gold Rush and help with demonstrations. Amy 264-8142.

Women’s History Day

Vivien Crampton has volunteered to co-chair this event. Requests for specific assistance in doing parts will be forthcoming.

New Member Training

Ken Knott has volunteered to head the Training Class Committee to plan and implement a training program for early next year. If you want to volunteer to help plan or present a class contact Ken Knott.

Point to Ponder

Old age is when former classmates are so gray and
wrinkled and bald, they don't recognize you.