Amador County History - preservation & events 2008
History of Amador County California
This is the Amador County History preservation page, a place to describe the History of Amador County California and preservation efforts or events. Here are some more specific dates & details below:
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Dec. 6,7 13,14 20,21 Sat. & Sun.'s
Columbia - A Miner's Christmas
Costumed interpreters recreate the mining camp of the 1850s as homesick miners roast chestnuts and hot cider, and perform live music for park visitors.
19th century toys and games, Victorian Holiday craft making, and Christmas storytelling make this an enjoyable experience for the entire family, an antidote for the big store holiday shopping experience. Click Here for more. Free!
Dec. 12
Columbia - Merry Merchants
invite you and yours to enjoy an evening of old fashioned Christmas charm in Columbia!
Begin your evening by greeting Father Christmas and receive a gift from the Merry Merchants. Shop in the tradition of times gone by without the hustle and hassle of malls or traffic jams. Listen to the sounds of the season: Carolers and Christmas songs performed by local children & stories told by local storytellers. Click Here for more.. Free!
Dec. 5-6 Fri. & Sat.
Columbia - Lamplight Tour
This event is a walking play guided by lamplight thru the historic town. Tour groups are led from scene to scene by costumed docents through the play.
This years story is yet to be decided.
It is a wonderful way to begin your joyous holiday season and fun for the whole family.
Tours last a little more than an hour and will be handicap accessible. Be prepared for cold weather and sometimes rain. Refreshments are served at the end of the tour in a warm building. Click Here for more.
Oct. 11-12
Columbia - Harvest Festi-Fall
Traditional American wares, demonsrations of rope making, weaving & candle dipping. Gold Rush period music. Click Here for more. Free!
Sept. 13 / 3pm - 6pm
Preston Castle Wine Tasting and Tour
Preston Castle Wine Tasting and Tour. Come taste the fine wines of Amador County and tour historic Preston Castle. Experience the history of Preston and feel the sensation of the past. Attendees will sample fine wines from commemorative castle wine glasses and enjoy a variety of hor d'oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at www.prestoncastle.com. Cost is $30. 3:00 p.m. -- 6:00 p.m., Preston Castle, Ione, CA -- only 45 minutes from Sacramento, Preston Castle Foundation 209-274-4112
Aug. 25 / 5-8pm
Back to School 1861 - Columbia
Open house at the old schoolhouse on the hill. Including a rare opporutnity to climb the old staircase to the upper floor, ring the bell, experience an 1860s class in session, schoolyard games, music and more. Free!
July 9 - 11:00am
3rd Annual Preston Castle Golf Tournament
Golf to save the Preston Castle! One afternoon of golf can make a big difference at the 3rd annual Preston Castle Golf Classic. Contests will be held throughout the 18-hole scramble tournament with dinner, awards ceremony, and a raffle/auction event as the big finale. Each player will receive a bag of tee prizes at registration with refreshments offered at hospitality tents along the course. Tickets can be purchased at www.prestoncastle.com or by calling 209-274-4112. Cost is $125, 11:00am registration; 12:30pm shotgun start Castle Oaks golf course, Ione, CA -- only 45 minutes from Sacramento, Preston Castle Foundation, 209-274-4112
July 4th / 10am - 6pm
Columbia - 4th of July Celebration
Columbia 4th of July Celebration
Flag raising, firing of anvil, parade at noon, games from 1-3pm, tri-tip dinner from 4-6pm.
Free! Click Here for more.
June 14, 2008
42nd Annual - Father's Day Fly In
Columbia's 42nd Annual - Father's Day Fly In
Airplane rides, classic airplanes and other >events are conducted all day long at the airport.
The ColumbiaAirport is approximately a half-mile walk from the park. Click Here for more.
June 14, 2008 - 5:00pm
Preston Castle Jazz Jubilee and Dinner
Spend the evening
outdoors listening to local and Bay Area jazz and blues artists.
Seeing these artists among the splendor of the Preston Castle is the
perfect way to kick-off the summer. Event is to raise funds to save
the historic Preston Castle in Ione. Tickets can be purchased at
www.prestoncastle.com or by calling 209-274-4112. Cost is $35
Preston Castle, Ione, CA -- only 45 minutes from Sacramento, Preston
Castle Foundation, 209-274-4112
May 29, 30, 31 & June 1
Columbia Diggins 1852
Staff and volunteers of Columbia State Historic Park recreate the 1852 town of tents and shacks which sprung up in the wake of the discovery of gold. Hundreds of volunteers put a great deal of effort and research into this event, to depict as accurately as possible, the original town. Live music, gambling and games of the period, food, and mining activities provide a unique glimpse into life in 1852. 10-5 each day. $3 Adults, $1 Children. Click Here for more.
May 26 - 11:00 am
Memorial Day Service - The Columbia Foot Dragoons
Description: "Company F, of the Columbia Foot Dragoons is typical of the militias of the early 1800's. Every able bodied male from the age of 16 to 60 was subject to a call to duty by the local militia commander in the time of emergency. While these were local units and not State or Federal troops, they would have been called into Federal service in the event of war or other national emergency. These militia units served the country well in the American War for Independence, the War of 1812, the Mexican and Civil Wars and the Spanish American War." Click here for Details
May 14 - 18 2008
ANGELS CAMP - Jumping Frog Jubilee and Calaveras County Fair
A popular contest based on Samuel Clemens’ trips to the Gold Country region that inspired his published work, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, about Jim Smiley and his frog Dan’l Webster. Event includes a carnival, vendors, games, entertainment and the famous Jumping Frog contest. Cost: $9/adult; $5/child daily. Location: Fairgrounds along Highway 49 between Angels Camp and Sonora. www.frogtown.org
May 2, 3, 4
Columbia - Fireman's Muster
From Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Columbia is the home of volunteer fire crews from around the western United States. These men and women travel to the park to participate in a variety of eventsdesigned to test their skills in modern and historic fire fighting endeavors. Hose cart races, bucket brigade competition and hand pumper contests are just a few of the events scheduled. There is a parade on Saturday and a dance that night. Click Here for details. Free!
April 19, 11am - 4pm
AAUW 36th Annual Home Tour, Jackson, Calif.
Sat., April 19, 11am - 4pm AAUW 36th Annual Home Tour, Jackson,
California
Amador Branch of American Association of University, "Victorian
Spring in Historic Jackson" The docent guided tours will include
five Victorian style homes, the Amador County Museum and the
Catholic cemetery. Ticket holders ($20 each) will also enjoy tea and
homemade cookies, wine tasting and an art show. 209/245-6052
April 12 2008
Preston Castle Foundation will hold a fund-raiser
Ione - Seafood dinner
The Preston Castle Foundation will hold a fund-raiser Saturday, April 12 at Evalynn Bishop Hall at Howard Park. The event will feature a seafood dinner with musical entertainment and a silent auction. No-host bar starts at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 274-4112 or visit www.prestoncastle.com.
April 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heritage through music
You have a chance to be part of history. I don't just mean taking part in an event that will make history. I'm talking about actively being a part of saving history. If you long for yesteryear and make music that shows your appreciation for the decadent sounds of days gone by, then you are invited to perform at the 4th Annual Fiddletown Heritage Day celebration April 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You've heard of Live Aid and Farm Aid and tons of other music events where entertainers took time out of their busy tour schedules to give back to the community. Now, the Fiddletown Preservation Society is trying to raise money to restore two precious, fragile pieces of Americana, and we're looking for bluegrass, folk, country, blues, jazz and Americana musical artists to help us.
Fiddletown is a tiny hamlet in Amador County, California about 40 miles southeast of Sacramento. Its unusual name, scenic beauty and 18 historical landmarks make it one of California's most unique tourist destinations. Proceeds from Heritage Day go toward restoring the Chinese gambling hall and general store, which were both built in the 19th century by Chinese Americans.
The Heritage Day celebration draws approximately 400 people every year. If you choose to be part of the action, you would be performing for these people as they shop the vendor booths, enjoy a cowboy lunch, and participate in the people's choice wine competition (an activity in which you and your guests are welcome to participate, so long as you're over 21). We will have professional sound equipment and engineering so your music will be properly amplified.
Although we're a small group that is unable to pay our entertainers, musicians will be allowed to have a tip jar and sell their CDs (sorry, I know you're probably sick of hearing that offer, but we're a small non-profit group that has no money for entertainment). We will also be heavily promoting our musical acts in our press releases, website and program. We really would like to have you perform and we're hoping we can find a way to make it worth your while. Your willingness to donate your time means so much to us!
Your contribution to this event will help us raise the more than $100,000 needed to restore these buildings. It's important that we raise this money because the Chinese immigrants were instrumental in building California, yet so little remains of their first settlements in the Sierra foothills. Fiddletown is proud to have the largest and most intact group of Chinese buildings from a California Gold Rush mining town-the Chinese General Store, Gambling Hall, Chew Kee Herb Shop and Chinese Adobe. The Chew Kee was restored in the 1980s and currently serves as a museum. The Chinese Adobe is privately owned, but the County of Amador owns the other two, and they're falling apart. Without renovation work, these precious remnants of American history will imminently collapse and the legacy of the Chinese pioneers will be gone.
Heritage means something. Losing it would be a shame. You can help save it. If you're interested, give me an e-buzz at fiddletown_rocs@yahoo.com.
Looking forward to seeing you at the event, Gwen
For more Info: Click Here -OR- fiddletown preservation
The FPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID 51-0180800)
Gwen Johnson - Event Coordinator
March 29, / 6pm - 11pm
Columbia's Gold Rush Fandango and Birthday Ball - Casino Night
To celebrate Columbia's 157th Birthday (March 27th, 1850). Period Gaming at various locations. It is planned to cover town with this casino night.
Some businesses may be open as well as a demonstration dance at the Eagle Cottage (only available building). A special guest appearance of Lola Motez as she does her Spider Dance and other titillating performances. Possible Silent Auction and a "LIVE" Auction planned as well. Costumes encouraged (1799 to 1899). Live Musicians playing real music with real instruments. TICKETS on sale at the Museum. For details call 532 3184 or Click Here for details.
March 27
Columbia Day Celebration
The date in 1850 when gold was discovered in Columbia. Click Here for details. Free!
March 23
Easter Celebration in Columbia
Residents & visitors participate in this event. Many appear in historic dress. The docents have a number of individuals participating. The authentic constuming & characterizations of residents from the gold rush era add a splash of color to this lively event.. Click Here for more info. Free!
March 15, 2008
KIRKWOOD - Full Moon Snowshoe Tour
Guided snowshoe trek to a snowy meadow is an easy going 2 mile (approx) tour. Location: Kirkwood Cross Country Ski Area, Kirkwood, CA. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: $25, plus $6 for rental. Call: (209) 258-7248. kirkwood.com
March 15, 2008
Pioneer Demonstration Day - Sutter's Fort SHP
Relive the daily activities of early emigrants and pioneers in the 1840s when agriculture and frontier lifestyles defined what is today California. At Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park experience the lives of these hearty and adventurous people as docents demonstrate crafts and activities of the past. Visitors may experience militia drill, smell food cooking in the historic kitchen and bakery, see the blacksmith at his anvil, and the carpenter in his shop. This frontier outpost was the center of life in the Sacramento Valley before the Gold Rush. Our Pioneer Demonstration Day event will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
March 13 2008
ACAA offers tour of Crocker museum, old Stanford home
Amador County Artists Association will sponsor a combination bus trip to the Crocker Art Museum's special exhibit "Edwin Deakin: California Painter of the Picturesque," as well as the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park.
The tour of the Crocker Art Museum will have a docent guiding viewers through Deakin's paintings, which are regarded as major achievements in American art. Deakin's work has been popular for its beauty and the way it romantically depicts California's early architecture, particularly the European missions. Deakin has also immortalized the vanishing California wilderness.
The ACAA's trips to the Leland Stanford Mansion offers a glimpse of a marvel in Victorian-era architecture that, after a 14-year, $22 million restoration and rehabilitation, is now open to the public. Built between 1856 and 1872, the 19,000 square foot mansion has special historical and architectural significance. It served as the office of three governors during California's early years. It was also the site of California's first presidential visit by Rutherford B. Hayes and General Sherman in 1880.
The tour is Thursday, March 13 and will meet at the Bus parking lot (next to Mel's Diner) at 8:15 a.m. and arrive back in Jackson at approximately 4:30 p.m. You will be able to purchase lunch at a nearby restaurant or bring a sack lunch. The cost will be $45 for ACAA members and their spouses and $50 for nonmembers. Reservations may be sent to: ACAA Bus Trip, Dorothy Magoffin, P. O. Box 358, Jackson, CA 95642. Please send reservations as soon, as space is limited. For information, contact Dorothy Magoffin at 223-1026
Feb. 13 2008 - Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Amador County Genealogy group - Martell
The Amador County Genealogy group will meet Wednesday, Jan. 9 and Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at the General Services Administration building on Airport Road. At the January meeting, the group will review and check surnames. At the February meeting, Sheldon Johnson will talk about how to research old land records. Although Johnson is the county recorder, what he has to say will be for anyone searching old land records anywhere in the United States. For information or questions, call Marian Randolph at 245-6207.
Jan. 25 2008 - Friday at 7 p.m.
Amador County Historical Society - Sutter Creek
The next meeting will be held at the Sutter Creek Community Center on Church Street, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. At this meeting, the group will present the "Amador Cities" collection of Ed and Margaret Swift. This is a comprehensive collection of photos and other memorabilia from Ed's collection, seldom seen by the public. Refreshments will be provided by the ACHS prior to and after the meeting. The ACHS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the county's historic sites, buildings, as well as preserving the history of Amador County. General meetings are open to the public and there is no admission charge, but donations are always welcome. For more information,
visit amadorcountyhistoricalsociety.org or e-mail info@amadorcountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Ongoing Events & Unique Oportunities
JAN. 2008
Volunteers for Amador Whitney Museum needed - Amador City
Volunteers for Amador Whitney Museum needed! Keep Amador County history alive by volunteering at the Amador Whitney Museum. Volunteer just a few hours a month. For more information, call Janet at 296-7255.
April through October
Chew Kee Store
Chinese store in Fiddletown. Directions: Follow Highway 49 through Plymouth, turn right on Fiddletown Road. Open April through October on Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Tours are arranged by contacting Judi Kinser at 245-6489. The Fiddletown Preservation Society is working on preserving the schoolhouse and two Chinese affiliated buildings opposite the Chew Kee Store. Contributions and volunteers are welcome. Contact Jack Feichtner 245-3034, Carl McDanel 209-296-4290 or Larry Oliphant at 209-245-3364.
March through October
Kennedy Gold Mine
Highways 88 and 49 in Jackson, across from Argonaut Lane. Open for surface tours March through October, on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. only. Admission $9 for age 13 to adult; youngsters 6 to 12 is $5 and children under 6 are free. Visitors see the 125-foot high metal head frame and tour several mining buildings in a 1 1/2 hour surface guided tour lead by volunteers and learn the history of the Kennedy Mine. Gift Shop in the miner’s change house. Special tours and bus tours are arranged for weekdays and off-season. For more information, call 223-9542 or visit www.kennedygoldmine.com
end of March through the first three weeks of April
Daffodil Hill
Directions: Volcano up Ram’s Horn Grade to the sign. From the end of March through the first three weeks of April, Daffodil Hill explodes with more than 300,000 blooms attracting visitors from around the world. The hill is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking is free but they will take donations. For more information and to find out if the daffodils are blooming, call 209-223-0608, 209-296-7048 or 209-223-0350.
Open weekend hours vary
Monteverde General Store
3 Randolph St., Sutter Creek. Open weekend hours vary. This building was built in late May 1898 as a general provisions store and run by the Monteverde family until Rose Monteverde, the youngest of seven children, at the end of an ordinary business day, put a hand written sign in the window on Oct. 27, 1971, stating, “This store will be closed for a few days.” It never opened again and the time capsule grocery store was “sealed” filled with shelves of tinware and paper products, food and spice containers, other long-familiar products such as cleaning agents and cereals of brand names and designs not seen in more than 50 years. Rose Monteverde, bequeathed the building and its contents to the city of Sutter Creek on her death in 1978. For more information, call the Sutter Creek Visitor’s Center at 209-267-1344.
tours on weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Knight Foundry
Directions: 81 Eureka St., Sutter Creek. Open for tours on weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a California State Historical Landmark, Knight Foundry is the last known water-powered foundry in the United States. Much of the equipment and tools from the Gold Rush were created here. Samuel Knight bought the foundry in 1875 and invented and produced Knight Water Wheels. An open valve at the foundry allows gravity flow water from a reservoir above the town, to enter the building, rotating the water wheels and setting an elaborate and precisely balanced system of belts and pulleys into motion. This is still a working foundry producing job orders for customers. For more information, call 209-267-0201.
between Memorial Day and Labor Day
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park, also known as Chaw’Se
14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road. Open all day from sunrise to sunset. Guided walks and campfire programs are scheduled between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the park is $6 a car. The campground has 23 sites year-round with water and flush toilets at $20 a night up to eight people or two tents or a 27-foot camper or RV. For further information, call 296-7488. Or visit: www.parks.ca.gov
open to tours
Preston School of Industry
Directions: From Main Street in Ione, turn on Preston Avenue, turn on Waterman Road and follow the signs. Long called “The Castle,” this structure was completed in 1894 to house juvenile offenders. Several young men who later became Hollywood, sports and country music stars, spent part of their young lives housed in these walls, namely; actors, Rory Calhoun, Lee J. Cobb, Eddie Anderson who was “Rochester” on the Jack Benny Show; country music, Merle Haggard; boxing Don Jordan and Eddie Machen; and tennis, Pancho Gonzales. It is open to tours. For more information, call 209-296-4590 or 209-256-3623.
Every 2nd Sat. of the month. / 1-4pm
Gold Rush Days - Events in Columbia for 2008
Volunteers in period costumes staff a variety of venues, from the bowling alley (yes!), the Wells Fargo office, the old schoolhouse and replica dry goods stores. September's Gold Rush Days is also a celebration of California's Statehood in 1850, with a concert by the Great Motherlode Brass and Reed Band. Free!
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