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February 2014 Museum of the San Ramon Valley: Preserving and Promoting Our Heritage By Jody Morgan
In 1983, when the San Ramon Valley Historical Society created a committee to analyze the logistics of establishing a local museum, the problem being confronted was enormous. The entire San Ramon Valley (the Valley) had only 2,120 residents in 1940. By 1980, Danville alone had more than 12 times that number and the census indicated that 82 percent of those individuals had moved into town since 1970. How do you motivate people without multigenerational ties to the locale to preserve the area’s historic heritage and protect the cultural character of the community for future generations? Following the committee’s recommendation, a separate non-profit organization was formed. On February 27, 1985, the Museum of the San Ramon Valley (MusSRV) held its first meeting. Although the goal was to collect and preserve documents and artifacts, provide a research library, mount exhibits and develop educational programs, MusSRV initially had no building of its own to house the archives and displays. The first phase of the Board’s five-year plan called for visiting local history museums throughout the East Bay Curator Beverly Lane talks about the preservation of to learn from their strengths and the textile collection. weaknesses. The MusSRV Board of Trustees elected Beverly Lane as their first President. Lane, who served on Danville’s original town council in 1982, had just completed the first of her three terms as Mayor. Writing about her work in Vintage Danville, Lane recalls: “For me, promoting a sense of community and preserving Danville’s historic buildings was a major goal. The first town council shared this vision, which has become part of our legacy.” Today, as Curator of MusSRV, Lane emphasizes: “It is important to point out that the museum focuses on the entire San Ramon Valley – Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Diablo, Blackhawk, Dougherty Valley.” Walking tours through old town Danville had already been initiated by longterm residents Millie Freitas, Rose Ferreira, and Betty Dunlap. Museum volunteers followed along as they led scout and school groups through the town. The photographs and information gathered helped MusSRV design and launch its own tours. In addition to regularly scheduled tours through Danville, MusSRV offers special programs and visits to the Alamo Cemetery with costumed interpreters introducing the Valley pioneers interred there. School programs came next. Two teachers from the San Ramon Valley United School District (SRVUSD), Gail Faber and Michele Lasagna, had developed a curriculum certified by the state entitled “Whispers from the First Californians.” Lane provided additional research and Oakland Museum docents helped to shape the Indian Life Program for fourth graders. The program, initiated in 1991, now acquaints all fourth graders in the SRVUSD with the lifestyle of the Valley’s first families who arrived 5,000 years ago. Students hear creation stories of the Cali-
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Cadette Girl Scouts and Monte Vista High School freshmen (left to right)- Julia Leong, Katlyn Thomas, and Alexandra Nave earned their Silver Award by working to earn money to purchase and provide Danville police dog, Chef, a new protective vest. Pictured above, Chief Simpkins, and Officer Rossberg with Chef pose with the girls.
Become a CASA Volunteer! By Fran Miller
Every year in Contra Costa County, more than a thousand neglected or abused children find themselves unable to live safely at home. These children end up in the care of the court system where into their lives come dozens of strangers: police, foster parents, social workers, judges, lawyers, and likely a CASA volunteer. CASA stands for “court appointed special advocate.” These trained volunteers advocate for neglected children, making sure they do not get lost in the overburdened legal system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. CASA volunteers maintain ongoing communication with all parties involved in a court case to best serve the child’s interests and identify and address the child’s needs. For many of these children, their CASA volunteer may be the one constant caring adult presence, providing companionship and consistency. Charlie Mead has been executive director of CASA of Contra Costa County for the past five and a half years, and was previously director of the Marin County program for seven years. As director, he works with a volunteer board of directors, a paid office staff of seven, and with the program volunteers in achieving CASA’s mission of recruiting, training Volume V - Number 4 and supporting its volunteer advocates. He is the 3000F Danville Blvd. #117, public face of CASA, introducing the agency’s Alamo, CA 94507 work to the community through presentations to a (925) 405-6397 variety of civic, governmental, and private sector Fax (925) 406-0547 audiences. His passion for his work is palpable. “I have the great honor to be involved in Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher editor@ a community benefit organization that is yourmonthlypaper.com helping the most vulnerable children in our communities,” says Mead. “The most mean- The opinions expressed herein belong the writers, and do not necessarily ingful overarching aspect of my work is our toreflect that of Danville Today News. Danville Today News is not volunteers and how their commitment to the for the content of any of children for whom they advocate makes such a responsible the advertising herein, nor does
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publication imply endorsement.