Photo Courtesy of Northern Mariposa County History Center
Honoring Two Valued Members
This past year has seen the loss of two of the museum’s most energetic and supportive members, Bill Lane and Lennart Ahlqvist. Both of these men had a hand in the early development of the museum. The museum’s courtyard sports a new, attractive marble bench that honors Bill Lane who passed away nearly a year ago while serving as the NMCHC board president, a position he had cycled through a number of times over the years. Sandy Richesin and other members of the Groveland Sierra Club, knowing just how important the museum was to Bill and how important Bill was to us, donated this attractive and sturdy bench, complete with a very fitting inscription that captures Bill’s spirit.
Sometimes we lose touch with someone who significantly contributed to the museum in its early, fragile days. Lennart Ahlqvist was just such a person. Lennart and his wife of 71 years, Vivian, resided in Coulterville for 15 years after retiring from his printing career in Mountain View in the mid-1980’s. He devoted much of his time, skills and energy to the early development of the museum. Then, health issues required they move closer to medical care and they relocated to Sonora. Lennart passed away on May 24 at the age of 92. Donations to the NMCHC in Lennart’s honor are welcome and cards will be sent to his widow recognizing them.
Coulterville Chronicle Reprints Soon to Be Available!
Purchase your Copy at the NMCHC Booth at the CoyoteFest
As time passes and we lose active, involved members such as the two gentlemen mentioned above, the history of the early days of Coulterville grows dimmer and further removed. The NMCHC has successfully completed a fund raising project with reprints of a popular but long out of print book, Coulterville Chronicle, The Annals Of A Mother Lode Mining Town soon available! In fact, you can obtain a copy at the History Center booth at the CoyoteFest, taking place Saturday, September 24th. Originally printed in 1924, it is chock full of information the author, Catherine Coffin Phillips, garnered from the old timers still around in the early 1900’s as well as their children. Copies are $25.95. They are a perfect gift for your children, grandchildren or friends and will bring to life many of the stories that the historic buildings in town… or a walk through the local cemetery… only hint about.
For You History Buffs!
For those of you who would like to learn more about the history of Coulterville than can be found in this book, you might be interested in joining the reconstituted Research Committee. This committee has been dormant for a few years and Helen Bauman is hoping to reinvigorate it. Please join her for a reorganizing meeting on Tuesday, September 20th at 9:30 a.m. at the museum office. If you’ve always wanted to get involved but prefer working at home at your own pace, or simply live too far away to commit to such an on-site task, this might just be for you! To learn more about this committee, please call Helen Bauman at: 209-878-3483.
*Monthly breakfast to be held on Sunday, September 11th. Read more in the link below.
Northern Mariposa County History Center Hosts Community Breakfast on Sunday, September 11, 2016
