MUSEUM ARTIFACTS
THE PRESIDENTS PAGE
The many artifacts of the Sonoma County Historical
Society have been indexed, crated and placed
temporarily in storage. The Society was notified
some months back by Mr. Hugh Codding that our
quarters at the Codding Natural History Museum must
be vacated due to the planned expansion of the
Natural History Museum. Many of our members are not
aware that the Society has had the benefit of the
Museum space from the Codding Foundation at the
nominal rental of 81.00 per year for the many years
the Museum has been located at 557 Summerfield Dr.
The officers and directors of the Society, on
behalf of the members, wish to extend a very hearty
"Thank You" to Mr. Codding and family for the many
efforts extended to the Society. A great deal of
credit is due to Mr. Ben Cummings, director of the
Codding Museum, for his efforts in the packing and
transporting of the artifacts to their storage
quarters.
It is the wish and hope of all concerned that
a new Sonoma County Historical Museum will come
into existance from the efforts of the Bicentennial
Commission of Sonoma County and a new home for the
Society's collection.
NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO
A guide to Wineries, Restaurants and History of local
area by Robert W. Matson, Editor, Larry Gibson,
Consultant. A beautiful combination of writings by
local historians, art work and some photos from the
collection of the Occidental Centennial Committee,
and the Sonoma County Historical Society's collectioi
Numerous members of the Society contributed towards
the production of this 190 page book which is
available thru the Society by contacting H. A.
Lapham at 539-5603. Profit from the sale of these
books 83.95 plus tax will help the Society's
financial condition. An excellent gift to friends
of the Bicentennial year. ,
CENTENNIAL CALENDAR
The 1976 Occidental Centennial edition of Sonoma
County Historical calendar is the second production
by Phil Bray who produced a Sonoma County Historical
calendar for 1975. In cooperation with the
Occidental Volunteer lire Dept. Auxilary, the 1976
calendar is available in most Occidental business's
and at Rincon Liquors, 4910 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa,
539-3603. Again, profits will help the continuing
of the Society's efforts in copying old photographs
and recording the memories of Sonoma County old
timers. _ Price of this years calendar is 83.50.
THANKS
As this is the fir3t issue of the Society's bulletin
for what will be a very eventful year, I would like
to express my appreciation to the many persons who
made 1975 a successful year, in the Society's histor
The efforts put forth by the officers and members
of the Board of Directors and mumerous members of
the Society have contributed to strengthening the
base of the Society. Without this help my job as
President would have been impossible.
Since I became a member of the Board of
Directors a few years ago, we have lost a President,
Wanda Lippincot and a Director, George Nissen. They
were good friends and very able contributors to the
success of our Society.
It seems as if now would be an excellent time
to introduce your Officers and Directors so the many
new members may become familiar with them.
Director- Crawford Brooks, Past president of the
Society, Chairman of the Sonoma County Bicentennial
Commission and Curator of the Church of One Tree,
Robert Ripley Museum. Crawford and his wife, Doris,
reside in Santa Rosa.
Secretary- Mrs. rlnily Doll who came to us from
San Mateo County Historical Society. She and her
husband Bob, reside in Oakmont.
Treasurer- Mr. Edward Fratini. Ed has to wear
numerous hats in our organization. He is membership
Chairman, handles the finances and is editor of the
bulletin. Anyone of these jobs would be enough to
keep one busy. Ed is a retired banker and is a
native son of Petaluma where he resides with his
wife, Lillian. He is also a charter member of the
Society and Pa3t President.
Director- Mrs. Alice Austin Hall, a native
daughter of Rincon Valley where she resides with her
husband, Cecil. Alice is very active in Rincon
Valley. Her home is one of the pioneer ranches in
Rincon Valley and the scene of several Sonoma County
Historical Society's gatherings.
Curator- Mrs. Helen Lightfoot, a charter member
and Past president. Helen has contributed many years
to the work of the Society. She has written many
historical articles about Sonoma County and has been
the primary custodian of the Museum. She lives with
her daughter, Debbra, in Santa Rosa.
Director- Elwin Millerick, a native son of
Sonoma County from a Pioneer family, concerned and
very active in Society work. He is a wood carver by
avocation and has built a traveling historical wood
carving display which he exhibits at public functiona
Elwin and his wife, Peg, reside in Santa Rosa.
Director- Don Silverek - A professional
photographer, a member of the Sonoma County Bi-
Centennial Commission and very active in many areas
of community interest. Don and his wife, Susan,
(Susan is a school teacher) reside in the Twin Hills
district of Sebastopol.
Director- Ralph Sturgeon, a native son of
western Sonoma County from a pioneer family. Ralph
spent his life involved with the lumber business in
association with his father, Wade Sturgeon, in the
historic Sturgeons Saw Mill on Green Hill road near
Graton. Both, he and his wife, Norma, are avidly
interested in many community activities.
Director- Robert Whiting, a retired contractor
who spent his life working in the building industry
in Sonoma County. Bob is program chairman and also
has affiliations with numerous other organizations.
His knowledge of many of the public and private
bui^.d(jngs| .find ^residences in Sonoma County is vast.
President- Harold A. Lapham, retail liquor
dealer in Santa Rosa for 17 years. Chairman,
Occidental Centennial Committee, member of Sonoma
County Bicentennial commission. Has been President
since the death of Mrs. Wanda Lippincott, August of
1974. Harold( "Harry " ) and his wife, Lillian reside
in Santa Rosa.
"HELP WANTED"
Dan Peterson- Architect A. I. A. and member of the
Society is searching out information, pictures and
advertisement concerned with the Hop industry of
Sonoma County. Anyone having information concerned
with and facet of the hop business please contact
Dan Peterson or H. A. Lapham, P.O.Box 1373,
Santa Rosa, California.
William Cole - Public Works Dept. 2555 Mendocino Ave
Santu Rosa, Calif. 95401. Doing impact report on
new parking area at Community Hospital. Needs
information on the early history of the County
Hospital.
Dell Miller- Member of Sonoma County Bi-Centennial
Commission is doing research on the history of the
Hood Mansion at Los Guilicos in preparation for the
Designers Showcase to be held for three weeks
beginning February 22. Anyone who has any
information concerned with the Mansion, please
contact him at 308 Kentucky St. Petaluma, Calif.
94952. Phone 763-2150.
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
The 3>noma County Bicentennial Commission is
sponsoring a museum fund raising project, the
Designers Showcase" starting February 22, 1976 thru
March 14 to be held at the Hood Mansion at Los
Suilicos. Twenty two local decorators will each
decorate a separate room of the historic Hood
Mansion. Around 50 hostesses per day will be needed
as volunteers. One for each room, three hours per
day. If you are interested in participating, please
contact Mrs. H. A. Lapham, Santa Rosa, phone 539-
1786.
