Museum Board Seeks to Amend Charter

Alameda Museum News, News
This week, Museum members received a mailing asking for their decision about the Board's wishes to amend the Charter. Members have until August 10, 2018 to return their response. If approved, these changes will go into effect on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The Board would like to ask Museum members’ approval in making four changes to the Charter. These changes will streamline the Charter and affect the number of Board members required and the way the Board conducts its meetings. The Board wishes to change Article 3 a) Description concerning the Board of Directors Current: The Corporation shall have eleven Directors, known collectively as the Board. The number of Directors may be changed by amendment of this section, or by repeal of this section and adoption of a new one,…
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Alameda Legacy Home Tour 2017

Alameda Legacy Home Tour 2017

Alameda Museum News, News
The 2017 Alameda Legacy Home Tour will be held on Sunday September 24, from 11am until 5pm. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the exterior charms, beautiful interiors and lush garden settings of seven spectacular historic homes. The ticket price includes a keepsake “Legacy Guidebook” and visitors may begin their tour at any home between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on tour day. For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit alameda-legacy-home-tour.org Our annual tour raises funds to help support the Alameda Museum and the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society. Interested in Volunteering? Volunteer opportunities include welcoming guests and acting as a tour docent, and assisting with before/after tour activities. For more information on volunteering, please email: [email protected].
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We Had a Great 2016 Docent Mixer!

We Had a Great 2016 Docent Mixer!

Alameda Museum News, News
On Sunday January 31st, the docents of the Alameda Museum met for a training and luncheon at the museum with the Board of Directors. The luncheon, catered by Juanita’s on Park Street, was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get to know each other better and connect. Twenty-eight volunteers were present, some of whom who have been volunteering at the museum for over 20 years, and some of whom are new to our community! The President of the Board of Directors, Dennis Evanosky, and Vice President, Adam Gillitt, led the meeting. Adam walked the docents through the nuts and bolts of opening and closing the museum and took questions on protocols and procedures. During lunch, Dennis discussed a number of topics, including how to get the Alameda community more involved…
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William Worthington Chipman – Alameda’s co-founder

William Worthington Chipman – Alameda’s co-founder

Alameda Museum News, News
William Worthington Chipman was born in 1820 in Vermont and grew up in Ohio, where he served as a school principal and studied law. In 1850, he came to San Francisco (via Panama) and set up a “Reading Room and Intelligence Office,” with newspapers from many cities as well as a register of “miners and strangers.” In 1851, Chipman and his business partner Gideon Aughinbaugh purchased the Encinal de San Antonio, an oak-covered peninsula which was part of the rancho of Antonio Maria Peralta, for $14,000. Chipman was hoping to establish a thriving town, while Auginbaugh’s dream was to plan commercial orchards for the lucrative San Francisco market. They imported fruit trees from the East, and auctioned off lots. [caption id="attachment_1929" align="alignleft" width="300"] c. 1850 Ambrotype of Alameda co-founder W.…
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Carriage House Progress

Carriage House Progress

Meyers House News, News
Museum Director Jim Smallman was kind enough to create this brief presentation about the renovation of the Carriage House at the Meyers House and Garden. With many photos, the presentation charts the progress from inception to completion. Please click below to open the PDF in your browser or download it to your computer. MHG Carriage House Construction presentation
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Meyers Carriage House Rededicated

Meyers Carriage House Rededicated

Alameda Museum News, Meyers House News, News
Nearly forty contributors and supporters gathered to celebrate the newly renovated Carriage House in the Gardens of the Meyers House this past Sunday afternoon. Led by Board President (and Alameda Sun co-Publisher) Dennis Evanosky, the event featured a Proclamation from Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer, remarks and thanks from Curator George Gunn, and delicious homemade refreshments. Among those also in attendance on the lovely autumn afternoon were docents and volunteers at the Meyers House and Garden, current and former Museum Board members, other MHG supporters and contributors, and Vice-Mayor Frank Matarrese. The Meyers House is a City of Alameda Landmark, designated Historical Monument Number 26. It was constructed in 1897 for noted Alameda architect, Henry Haight Meyers. He is best known locally for designing the First Presbyterian Church and the portal to…
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Alameda Legacy Home Tour 2015

Alameda Legacy Home Tour 2015

Alameda Museum News, News
The Alameda Legacy Home Tour is coming up, Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 11AM to 5PM. It's a self-guided tour featuring five period homes and a church. Participants will partake of exterior charms, lush garden settings, and beautiful interiors in this offering of spectacular dwellings. Come celebrate the history of our island city. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 day of. Tickets and more information at alameda-home-tour.org. Also, Preserving California's past: Alameda Legacy Home Tour and the Home Tour promo video.
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City Council Report 2015

City Council Report 2015

Alameda Museum News, Meyers House News, News
Board President Dennis Evanosky presented the Museum's Annual Report to the Alameda City Council on Thursday evening, July 16, 2015. In his 15 minute report, Dennis covered our progress over the past year, including major renovations at the Meyers House, a tour behind the scenes in the Museum archives, the Museum's ongoing needs for conservation supplies, and a preview of an exciting opportunity to land a matching funds grant from the State of California. The report was well received by the Council, with all Council members and the Mayor agreeing that the Museum was an important cultural institution in the City, deserving the support of the community and the City. Click the following link if you would like to view Dennis' presentation. Or click the following link for a page…
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Railroaders Once Called East End Home

Railroaders Once Called East End Home

Alameda Museum News, News
At least eighteen railroad men lived in the neighborhood that surrounded South Pacific Coast Railroad’s High Street Station. They included six brakemen. Charles Deal and his stepson Edward Hein both did this very dangerous job. They lived at 3227 Monroe St. (today’s Encinal Avenue). Brakeman Harry Pennock lived at 3214 Monroe St. just across the train yard from Deal and Hein. Pennock’s home just sold for more than $1 million (see Kane’s advertisement below.) Three locomotive engineers also lived near the South Pacific Coast’s train yard: John McCauley, William Thompson and Henry Jonas. Jonas lived on High Street between Briggs and Sterling avenues. He and his fireman, Edward Colson, were killed when his locomotive, No. 19, jumped the track on Jan. 31, 1899, at the Fifth Street Station on the…
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2015 Museum Luncheon

2015 Museum Luncheon

Alameda Museum News, Meyers House News, News
By all accounts, the 2015 Museum Luncheon was a huge success. More people attended this year than ever before, the newest board members were sworn in by Mayor Trish Spencer, and bidding on the silent auction items was fiercely competitive. More than 90 museum members, docents, and volunteers attended the delicious meal held on the fourth floor of the Masonic Hall. In addition, attendees were treated to a poem written and read by the City's Poet Laureate, Julia Park Tracey. Thanks to everyone who made this event happen, especially to former Board Presidents Diane Coler-Dark and Robbie Dileo, long-time volunteers Lisa Koltun and Debra Hilding, the helpful people of the Masonic Hall, Joanne McKay for her beautiful table decorations and centerpieces, the caterers, and all the other volunteers who gave their time to make the…
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