Fresno Historical Society Grapevine Newsletter

Monthly news & updates

November 1, 2019

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

While there are many creative theories about the actual evolution of Thanksgiving, one fact not disputed is that the day has always featured the fruit and bounty of the arduous harvest season. Here in the fertile and bountiful San Joaquin Valley, our autumn is marked by the multi-sensory experience of more than 100 crops being carefully and diligently sown from the land and moved to markets around the world. Truly, a reason to give thanks.

Grapes and nuts, poultry and squash – all blended together through cherished recipes passed along the generations – bring our families and friends together in celebration despite all that is occurring outside our four walls. What would the early settlers have thought of our new traditions like football from dawn to dusk, a parade of gargantuan proportions or the creeping of shopping frenzy closer and closer to a meal so painstakingly prepared? Most certainly, Thanksgiving in 2019 will be a bustling holiday for most.

No matter the changes, giving thanks has never mattered more.

As the Fresno Historical Society enters our second century, our organization needs you to give thanks by showing your support for our work in preserving and sharing the variegated tapestry that is our collective past.

Whether on Giving Tuesday, through joining or renewing as a member or just contributing a year-end gift, your generosity will allow the FHS to bring to life the many exciting changes on our own horizon.

Please click the link below to learn more about donating now.

From our family to yours, a very Happy Thanksgiving,

With warmest regards,

Elizabeth Laval

President

GIVE A GIFT TODAY

Thanksgiving Postcard from the Bolitho Family Papers, circa 1920

THE HISTORY & IMPORTANCE OF POSTCARDS

Postcards…so many memories of where we have been, where we “ wish you were here” and, before digital cameras, the easiest way to capture the most gorgeous vacation photos without waiting for the tide to roll in or the sun to just barely creep up from the horizon at the crack of dawn.

But in earlier times, postcards were popular as a quick and easy way for loved ones and friends to communicate with each other. At first, postcards were restricted by size, color and a plethora of other complicated regulations. On February 27, 1861, the U.S. Congress passed an act that allowed privately printed cards, weighing one ounce or under, to be sent in the mail. That same year, John P. Charlton , or Carlton, (another mystery of history), copyrighted the first postcard in America.

By the late 1800s, postcard production blossomed. Throughout early postcard history, German printers dominated the market. However, with the beginning of World War I, the majority of postcard printing for American use, naturally, moved to the United States. There was even a Golden Age of Postcards from 1898-1919 and the features of a particular postcard - undivided back, type of material and more, can help identify the era the postcard was created.

Did you know the word for collecting postcards, is deltiology , coined in 1945 by a professor in Ohio? Worldwide, deltiology is the third largest collecting hobby after stamp collecting and coin/banknote collecting. We will be sharing some of the Fresno Historical Society’s extensive postcard collection throughout the holiday season.

Sent to: Mr. Rob. Baarth 1492 Green Bay Ave City

Postmarked: Milwaukee, Wis Nov 25, 1:30 AM 1909

Here is your dinner all pre-pared for you. Hoping it will taste good.

I am as ever E. B .

PARCEL PHOTOGRAPH PROJECT

The Fresno Historical Society, in a joint project with the Fresno County Public Library, is seeking volunteers to help rename and incorporate into a database digital copies of property parcel photographs donated by the Fresno County Assessor’s Office. The photographs were taken of residential and commercial properties between roughly 1955 and 1975. Volunteers will be working from home and should be able to donate a minimum of four (4) hours per week to the project. The Society will provide training but volunteer must have a Windows-based computer.

Please contact Fresno Historical Society Archivist Katy Hogue at archives@valleyhistory.org for more information or to sign up!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

December 1, 2019 from 10am to 3pm

Christmas through the Decades Holiday

Installation Grand Opening. Take a self-guided tour of

beautifully decorated trees and historical holiday photographs throughout Kearney Mansion.

December 7, 2019 from 10am to 3pm

Meet Santa at the Kearney Mansion Museum.

Create a unique family memory in a gorgeous setting this year. Bring your family to take pictures with Santa and enjoy a self-guided tour of this historic home decorated with 10, themed Christmas trees and antique toys that just might not be on your children's wish list!

December 14, 2019 from 3pm to 5pm

Holiday Tea Party. Enjoy the elegance of Holiday Tea served in the glorious Kearney Mansion Museum this December. This event will fill quickly and space is limited.

Full hours of operation in December will be posted on the Fresno Historical Society website soon. Check valleyhistory.org for more information .

Get Tickets

GROUP TOURS FOR

CHRISTMAS AT KEARNEY

NOW AVAILABLE

Start your own holiday tradition and e njoy the magic of Christmas at Kearney with a group tour this December.

Gather your office, organization or favorite group of friends to share in this cherished seasonal event. Admission prices are $10 per adult, $8 per senior (62 and up) or student (ages 13-17), and $6 for children (12 and under). A minimum of ten guests is required to reserve a tour date.

As always, spaces fill up quickly, and available dates are subject to change.Proceeds benefit your own Fresno Historical Society.

Please contact Group Tour Coordinator Erric Douglas at edouglas@valleyhistory.org to schedule a tour today.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP TODAY

The Fresno Historical Society is a member supported, non-profit organization that is responsible for the collection and preservation of our history.

We rely on the ongoing generosity of our community through financial investment to meet our mission each year.

Help us keep our history alive with a membership gift now.

JOIN TODAY

Thank You

Hundreds of dedicated reenactors, living history characters and period artisans donated their time and talents to make the 30th Year of Civil War Revisited possible this past October.

The Fresno Historical Society gratefully acknowledges the commitment of the members of the Civil War reenactment community and all the event volunteers who allowed American history to come alive during this annual educational event.

Because of the generous support of our community, sponsors, donors. guests and friends, our 30th Anniversary edition was very special. Thank you to everyone who attended, helped, volunteered and participated in our 2019 event.

THE FRESNO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

valleyhistory.org