July 2021
Volume 1, Issue 1
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"sharing the histories and the diverse legacies of people, stories and places" |
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Welcome back to the world. It is good to see smiles again, and your Board has been doing its best to put smiles on its members' faces. Things, as you know, are in constant flux; here is what we have been doing and continue to do moving forward. We are hoping to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Bureau to get our buildings on the map. We are truly lucky to have Gary and Frances Spradlin and Susan and Dennis Mar keeping the Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library and Casa Serrano open and running. In the future, we are planning to open the Doud House to the public to show off a few more of the many treasures held by MHAA. Of course, the place getting the most attention from misinformation is our Stanton Center. After being closed for more than a year, the museum is open again, and there are now more special events happening. Along with the Dali art on exhibit, we are starting to hold magic shows. Please stop by and catch some great acts from around the state and world. It will be a truly nice complement to our wonderful Fisherman's Wharf and downtown districts. We are starting to come to some closure with our disagreement with the County Assessor's Office over the assessed property taxes owed at Stanton Center, which has handcuffed us for the last four years (more on that in a future newsletter). Last but not least, to help with our goal of having more communication with our membership, I have created an email address (see below) for members to contact me directly with questions or concerns. I will try to answer your questions if you leave your name and phone number (I prefer to answer with a phone call if possible).
Thank you all for your continued support; in friendship, loyalty and charity,
Carey Pearce
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Casa Serrano is an adobe structure originally started in 1840 by an Englishman named John Chamberlin. He soon sold the property to Thomas Larkin, the first and only American Consul in Monterey during the Mexican period. The adobe was purchased from Larkin in 1846 by Florencio Serrano as a home for himself and his bride, Rita de la Torre. Serrano is credited with the expansion of the adobe and the surrounding property to accommodate his growing family.
The adobe was the family home for several generations of the Serrano family, and it also served as the site for one of the earliest schools in Monterey. Florencio Serrano was the headmaster of the first American school in California and taught students in one of the adobe’s parlors for many years, later assisted by one of his daughters.
In the 1930s and ’40s, the adobe was rented out and used as an Italian diner, Cadematori’s. The Serrano family sold the adobe and property to the city of Monterey in 1959. Monterey History & Art Association purchased Casa Serrano from the City to save and restore the historic structure for future generations.
Several members of Monterey History & Art Association’s Los Amigos serve as docents and guide visitors on tours of the adobe every Saturday and Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. Casa Serrano’s garden is undergoing a renovation that includes repairing the picket fence, planting a herb garden, thinning and replacing plants, power washing the patios and installing a deer fence. Members of Los Amigos, led by Patty Barrett, have spent many hours volunteering to make this renovated garden possible. The fence repairs were made possible by a grant from the Questers Adobe Chapter.
Casa Serrano is once again booking events starting this fall. The guests for these events have included such notable visitors as former Governor Jerry Brown and the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff. They saw Casa Serrano as one of California’s treasures and were impressed by MHAA’s commitment to keeping these treasures.
Photo is of our newly acquired portrait of Mrs. Margarita Castro on display at Casa Serrano.
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Mayo Hayes O'Donnell Library |
The Mayo Hayes O’Donnell Library reopened at the beginning of May. With the addition of a pair of new volunteers, we are now open each afternoon from 1:30 to 3:45, except Monday and Tuesday. The Library collection includes books, photographs, files (biographies, building histories, etc.), artworks and memorabilia from many sources (primarily MHAA members) that are available to those interested in researching local and California history. As a non-circulating research library, we do not lend books or other items. We receive hundreds of visitors each year - many people walking the Path of History, curious neighbors and serious researchers. We also have an extensive website to support online researchers and receive many queries and requests via the internet.
For those not familiar with the Library's history, we are named after Mayo Hayes O’Donnell, who was instrumental in preserving the Library building. The building was the first protestant church in Monterey, built in 1876 and was originally on Pacific Street, just about where the Troia Market is today. It was moved to its current location next to the Doud House on Van Buren Street in 1969 to save it from the wrecking ball when Del Monte Ave. was extended from Pacific Street to Van Buren Street. Mayo was a columnist for the Herald from 1949 until 1970 and wrote thousands of articles seeded with local history. Mayo lived in Casa Soberanes and gave it to the State Parks.
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Gifts and Donations
It has been a long time since the Association reported on received gifts. We do still receive wonderful donations to add to our collection of art and artifacts relating to local and California history. Going back a couple of years, gifts received include:
From Wayne Gritton – Wayne’s father served with Colonel Fitch at Fort Ord during WW II and Wayne was Colonel Fitch’s godson. Wayne gave photos of his father and Colonel Fitch and a photo of Wayne (baby Wayne) with a large teddy bear given to him by Colonel Fitch in the 1940s. Wayne also gave us the teddy bear and a significant monetary donation.
From the Applegarth family – Books and papers belonging to Laura Bride Powers, fascinating is an unpublished manuscript that Laura and her daughter (Gwendolyn Powers Applegarth) were developing as a biography of Stevenson.
From the Hinckley family – Photo albums and family tree information of Evelyn Diaz. Evelyn was the Duena for the 1992 Merienda and has a family tree that includes Castro (General), Artellan, and Diaz families.
From Gary Mullins - Gary is the son of the chauffeur and friend of Alice Toulmin, he gave photos, letters and a hand-written book of verse by Alice Toulmin that was given to Gary’s mother. Alice was the granddaughter of Thomas Oliver Larkin, bought and lived in the Larkin House, and donated it to the State.
From the Castro family – An oil painting of Margarita Castro (Artellan), painted in 1936. Margarita was the aunt of Evelyn Diaz. Margarita was the Queen of Monterey’s 1914 Fourth of July Parade. This painting is now displayed in Casa Serrano.
From John Cruz - A collection of newspapers from Monterey High School spanning the years 1929 to 1970.
From Eileen Skinner- Six wooden ship models assembled by her father. The models include a Manila Galleon, a fishing boat and Santa Maria.
From Mark Posson -An Edison Amberola and a large number of recorded wax cylinders.
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The Mission of Monterey History & Art |
That purpose, as stated in the articles of incorporation, is to collect, preserve and own paintings, sketches, drawings, records, books, manuscripts, charts and other material pertaining to the history and art of Monterey and California, and to assist and further all such projects and activities; to have and to hold, to buy and sell such property, both real and personal, as may be necessary to carry out the objects of the creation of this organization; to do and to perform every act and thing necessary to carry out the above purposes. |
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P.O. Box 1082
Monterey California, 93942
montereyhistory.org
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