Sacramento Archeological Society, Inc.
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www.sacarcheology.org. April/May 2006
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Chico Area Archeological and Cultural Tour
June 10 and 11, 2006
The society is sponsoring an archeological and cultural tour of the Chico, Paradise, and Oroville area for Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11. The excursion will feature
A 10:00 a.m. tour of the Archeological Lab on Saturday at California State University, Chico by Dr. Georgia Fox. The (Zoo) Archaeology Lab houses over 750 comparative specimens, featuring the prepared skeletons of mammals, birds, and fish typical of Northern California and the Western Great Basin, where most of Chico State’s archaeological research takes place.
Following the tour and a brown bag lunch in Bidwell Park we will visit Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park and Chico Museum in Chico. Each of these sites offers a glimpse of life in the 19th century.
We will overnight either in motel or campground in the area on Saturday night.
On Sunday after a "free time" morning we will focus on history of the area by visiting the Honey run Covered Bridge, one of the few covered bridges left in California and the only tri-span bridge in the United States.
Near the bridge we will visit Coleman Memorial Community Museum featuring local Native American, Chinese and local pioneer artifacts.
Then we will drive to Oroville and visit the Butte County Pioneer Museum focusing on pioneer artifacts and visit Oroville’s beautiful Chinese Temple and Gardens overlooking the Feather River.
Please indicate your interest in attending part or all of the activities by contacting Jan Johansen
at janjohansen@thegrid.net or 530-756-6970. Reservations are required.The itinerary is as follows:
Saturday, June 10, 2006,
10:00 a.m.: Archeological Lab in Chico Tour. This facility offers a location for the collection of remains from archaeological sites, ranging from nineteenth century city blocks or Gold Rush camps to prehistoric Native American villages or hunting sites. These remains have helped to reconstruct past human-environment relationships, such as the economics of animal exploitation, the nature of past environments or even of paleoecological connections. The current exhibition "Gifts from the Earth" explores concepts of Ethnobotany with a look at many different cultures around the world. It’s a lush environment with a tropical feel, brimming with information on this relatively new field in anthropology. We will meet at Chico State University, Langdon Hall at 10:00 a.m.
12:00:
Bring a picnic lunch to eat at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park that is located at 525 The Esplanade.1:00 p.m.:
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is located at 525 The Esplanade. The Bidwell Mansion, a three-story Italian villa, was completed in 1868. The mansion is furnished with authentic Victorian pieces. Tour prices: $3 adults, $1.50 children (under 6 free). Open: 10:00 to 4:00. Contact: (530) 895-6144.2:30 p.m. Chico Museum is located at 141 Salem Street. The museum located in the beautiful Carnegie Library building has two main galleries focusing on aspects of Chico's past and present. Two smaller galleries house a permanent Chico Timeline 1837-2000 filled with photos, portraits, and artifacts evoking Chico's diverse history and Chico's Chinese Taoist Temple that features altars and original artifacts from this temple in use from 1890-1939. There is no cost, but donations are appreciated. Open: 12:00 to 4:00. Contact: 530 891-4366.
Day participants can return home. Campers and Non-campers have many options the stay in the immediate area.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
12:00 p.m.: Honey Run Covered Bridge in beautiful Butte Creek Canyon is located just outside of Chico in Butte Creek Canyon. The Honey Run Covered Bridge built in 1894 by George Miller lays claim to being the only 3-level covered bridge in the United States. A few miles up the road from the covered bridge is the Coleman Memorial Community Museum.
1:00 pm: Coleman Memorial Community Museum is located at 13544 Centerville Road. This museum has local Native American, Chinese and local pioneer artifacts, early 1800 gold mining equipment, and relics of the Civil War era. Admission is free. Open: 1:00 to 4:00 weekends.
2:30 p.m.: Butte County Pioneer Museum, Oroville. Inspired by her father's passion for history, Florence Danforth Boyle developed a lifelong dream to create a museum dedicated to preserving
the memories of the Pioneers who first settled in California and, in particular, the Butte County area. Admission: $2.00, children under 12 free, group tour discounts (15 or more) - $1.50. Open: 12:00 to 4:00, Fridays and weekends. Contact: (530) 538-2497.
3:15 p.m.: Oroville Chinese Temple and Garden is located at 1500 Broderick Street, Oroville. Built in 1863 to serve a community of 10,000 Chinese residents, this temple includes three chapels with the main chapel facilitating a place of worship for Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The temple is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and also as a California Landmark. In 1968, the Tapestry Hall was added to display the extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, parade parasols and other objects of beauty. A priceless collection of Chinese and American costumes, arranged to contrast the two cultures from 1850-1930, is always a popular attraction to see. Along with the temple is a magnificent garden, which is designed as a place for meditation, with plantings that originated in China. For admission prices contact: (530) 538-2496. Open: Thurs - Mon- 12-4:00 and Tues-Wed 1-4.
4:00 p.m.: Return home
If you are interested in more information on the elements of the tour, visit the following web sites:
http://www.csuchico.edu/community/map/ - California State University, Chico map
http://www.chicochamber.com/ Chico – Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park, Coleman Historical Museum
http://www.paradisedirect.com/paradise/h-visit2.shtml Paradise – Coleman Memorial Community Museum and Honey Run Covered Bridge
http://www.cityoforoville.org/pioneermuseum.html Oroville - Butte County Pioneer Museum
http://www.shastacascade.org/butte/chintmpl.htm Oroville - Chinese Temple
http://www.paradisedirect.com/paradise/h-camps.shtml Camping
Sacramento Archeological Society Book Club
The next meeting of the society’s book club will be a potluck. The grill will be on. It will be held on Thursday, May 11 at Jan Johansen’s home at 505 Cleveland Court, Davis CA at 6:30 p.m. We will be discussing Gun, Germs and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies. All members are welcome even if you haven’t finished reading the book.
The first two books that have been selected for the quarterly book club are:
Gun, Germs and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies, Jared Diamond, W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 1999 and
1491, New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, Charles C. Mann, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2005
Gold-Rush Ships of the Sacramento River
John Foster, DPR
Sponsored by West Sacramento Historical Society
May 23, 2006 at 6:30 p.m.
Following West Sacramento Historical Society’s general meeting John Foster, Senior State Archaeologist for the State of California, will give a talk on "Gold-Rush Ships of the Sacramento River". Mr. Foster works for the California State Parks Cultural Resources Division where he began his career with the state in 1975 working with Francis A. "Fritz" Riddell, the first California State Archaeologist. He has recorded, investigated and preserved historic sites and archaeological features throughout California. Additionally, he has a special interest in prehistoric rock art and is also California's Underwater Archaeologist who has been responsible for documenting shipwrecks (SS Pomona site at Fort Ross) and other submerged sites throughout our underwater parks and in some foreign locals: Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
The meeting will be held at the West Sacramento Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center, 324 Third Street in the Broderick district of West Sacramento beginning at 6:30 p.m. The program is
free and refreshments will be served. Seating is limited so contact Louisa R. Vessell at 916-451-2113 for reservations.
Thank you to Ryan T. Brady
Masters Degree candidate, Anthropology CSU, Sacramento
On Saturday, March 18 Ryan T. Brady presented his research on prehistoric wetland settlement and mobility patterns in the Mono Basin, eastern California. He discussed the sourcing of the obsidian artifacts collected at Mono Lake and the possible patterns of prehistoric settlements in three habitat types. The presentation was very interesting. Thank you, Ryan.
2006 Scholarships
The scholarship forms have been distributed to area colleges and universities. If you need additional information or the Scholarship information sheet and application form, contact Jan Johansen. Please give it to any one who might be interested. Scholarship applications are due on May 15, 2006.
Garage Sale Fundraiser
Keep saving those items from your spring purge for the Society’s Garage Sale Fundraiser. In order to continue to offer Scholarships to worthy Archaeology/Anthropology Students the society is planning a garage sale to raise funds. For more information contact Diane Rosales.
Memberships
Sacramento Archeological Society currently has 36 members for 2006. We are always looking for members. If you have a friend who is interested in archeology, encourage him or her to join our society.
If you need brochures to promote our organization, please contact Jan Johansen at 530-756-6970. We want your support and participation.
The annual dues are:
Student/Limited Member $15
Individual Membership $25
Family Membership $35
Sponsor $100 - 499 (individual)
$500 - 999 (business)
Patron $1000
Please remit your payment. Please make out your check to "Sacramento Archeological Society, Inc." and mail it to
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Sacramento Archeological Society, Inc. |
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P.O. Box 163287 |
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Sacramento, CA 95816-9287 |
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Mark Your Calendars
May 11, 2006, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Potluck and Society Book Club, Jan & Tom Johansen’s home 505 Cleveland Court, Davis
May 23, 2006, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., West Sacramento Historical Society sponsored "Gold-Rush Ships of the Sacramento River" presentation by John Foster, West Sacramento Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center
June 8, 2006, Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, location to be announced.
June 10 - 11, 2006, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m., Chico Area Archeological and Cultural Tour, details attached
July 13, 2006, Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Board Meeting, location to be announced
July 15, 2006, Saturday, 10:00 a.m., "Ishi" presentation by Richard Burrill, Sacramento location, details in next newsletter
A Non-Profit Corporation
P.O. Box 163287
Sacramento, CA 95816-9287