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Greetings! Did you know that 2025 is the 175th year of California as the 31st state of the United States of America? (Admission date was September 9th 1850) I wanted to share a history nugget today - something that can even give you the name of the bear on our California flag!
So wait, is Monterey connected to the California grizzly bear flag...and why am I interested in this? Partially it's a visit to San Francisco, and the other part is a fascination with our collections.
First off, when you visit Colton Hall you will notice the flag flying above is an early California flag modeling the early "Bear Flag Rebellion" with a bear that we like to call our bear-pig. In the August 3rd 1953 Los Angeles Times Assemblyman Charles Chapel from Inglewood states "many of us in the California Legislature have complained that the bear on the State Flag sometimes resembles a hog, at other times appears to be a large dog, and often in combination of a hog and a dog, but seldom a genuine California grizzly bear, which it should be."
Researchers including Caroline Wenzel from the California State Library and Zoology Professor Tracy Storer from UC Davis chose a watercolor from Charles Nahl as the model for the flag. Senate Bill 1014 in June 1953 approved the design of the official California flag based on the Nahl bear. Where was the watercolor drawing located? Colton Hall, here in Monterey.
So why did I even think about this? As a librarian and history lover...I kind of go down a rabbit hole when researching something. At the San Francisco Zoo I had seen a sign proclaiming that Monarch the grizzly bear (captured 1889- passed in 1911) was the model for the California State flag. Monarch currently resides at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco as part of their current California: State of Nature exhibit. From 1850 - 1911 there was no standard flag. But in 1911, a general design was approved by the state and through June 1953, there was no official grizzly bear. However, per the California Historical Society, the commercial flags during this period also used the design from Nahl. Perhaps Monarch made it on a locally made flag...or maybe his death in 1911 sparked interest in a formal design. Many articles today still state that Monarch is the bear on the state flag.
If you'd like to read more about the state flag, along with the California State Seal (designed in Monterey!) you can read this 1953 article from the California Historical Society digital library. The original Charles Nahl drawing is in our vault, and was gifted to the city by the Nahl family. (a copy is displayed inside Colton Hall) Perham Nahl, artist and art professor at UC Berkeley wrote: "This drawing is by Charles C. Nahl of San Francisco, in the period between 1850-1856. The original from which the grizzly bear of the California state flag and nearly every representation of the grizzly were copied. From my own personal knowledge this drawing has remained in the Nahl family ever since to the present date June 21, 1931."
So who was the bear on the flag, if not Monarch? The bear's name is Samson. Nahl painted Samson in 1855 as part of a collection of images for the trapper, exhibitor and owner Grizzly Adams.
Charles Nahl passed away in 1878, or 11 years before Monarch was found and placed in captivity. Sorry San Francisco, but the California state flag design lives here in Monterey~
Warmly~
Brian
| | Join Tim Thomas, local historian and captivating tour guide, as he explores the multicultural fishing industries and fascinating stories of the Old Fisherman’s Wharf and Monterey’s waterfront. Learn firsthand how Monterey’s early maritime history shaped the City of Monterey to be a prime tourist destination. | | |
Tim's expansive career spans from a historian and curator, to
author and collaborator. He’s partnered with several organizations
such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks,
and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
He is the author of several books, including The Abalone King of Monterey: 'Pop' Ernest Doelter and The Japanese on the Monterey Peninsula,
and is the co-author of Monterey's Waterfront.
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SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT
MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU
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World Laughter Day 2025 is on May 4th. This year, World Laughter Day coincides with the Star Wars celebration, "May the 4th be with you."
It's a day to celebrate laughter and its positive impact, encouraging people to laugh more, stress less, and spread joy around the world.
Curious? Join together with local teacher Christina Farnsworth to experience the benefits. Leave feeling better than when you arrived!
If you can't join us in person, you can still intentionally laugh at home or with a friend (even challenge each other to laugh for a minute), watch or listen to a comedy, share a joke, learn about health benefits, send uplifting messages, and spread joy.
World Laughter Day
Sunday, May 4th
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Monterey Public Library
BACK PATIO
The Library will be closed. Find us at the back entrance.
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Feeling the weight of life heavier than usual? Does mindfulness seem like something you can't do? Through practice, awareness is developed and love expands, leading to a more joyful life.
Local teachers rotate throughout the month, leading different guided practices. Join in person at the Library or on Zoom for the May 6th session led by Yossi Beeri.
Arrive when you can, stay for as little or as long as you'd like!
Take a Deep Breath: Drop-in Mindfulness
Tuesday, May 6th
12:30 - 1:00 PM
Monterey Public Library Community Room
or on Zoom every Tuesday
| | HOW DOES ELECTRICITY FLOW? | | |
STEAM in the Park presents "Simple Circuits,"
a fun and educational program focused
on the ins and outs of electricity!
What is an electrical current?
How is voltage measured?
What are the different types of circuits?
For more information and a
“power source” of knowledge, stop by
and create your own circuit artwork.
STEAM in the Park: Simple Circuits
Saturday, May 10th
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Montecito Park Bookmobile Stop, 220 Montecito Ave.
| | BOOK FLIGHT BOOK CLUB REMINDER | | |
An inspirational historical novel is this months Book Flight Book Club choice.
The Women, by author Kristin Hannah, shares Frances’ “Frankie” journey towards finding her own version of heroism.
Following her brothers footsteps of
serving our country, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and lives through some
very troubling effects from wartime.
Frankie returns home to a divided America full of angst and conflict.
Her narrative is one of many women whose stories of sacrifice,
friendship, and sisterhood marked an era of service.
Book Flight Book Club,The Women
Tuesday, May 13th
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
MPL Community Room
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
| | FAIRIES, FOLKLORE, TALES, AND TUNES | | | | |
It’s a book lover’s dream come true!
Every Californian with an email address can now access more than 300,000 ebooks and eAudiobooks
via California’s Bookshelf.
With various genres in 20 languages, the Palace Project app has an amazing library for you to explore.
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For more information, follow these quick and easy instructions
on downloading the Palace Project App. READ ON!
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and we are looking for teen (ages 13+)
and adult volunteers to assist with
MPL’s Summer Reading Program.
Interested volunteers should come by one of the following
orientation dates for further information.
Monday, May 19th at 3:00 PM
Tuesday, May 20th at 12:00 PM
Wednesday, May 21st at 5:00 PM
Monday, May 26th at 3:00 PM
Tuesday, May 27th at 12:00 PM
Monday, June 2nd at 3:00 PM
All orientation sessions will be held in MPL's Solarium Room.
Help us sign up patrons, organize reading challenges
and assist with summer reading programs.
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SAVE THE DATE
MPLF&F AUTHOR TALKS
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MPL Hours of Service:
Monday: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Bookmobile Information:
Call (831) 646-3710 or click Bookmobile for detailed hours and locations.
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