A New Newsletter Logo by Barry Stallard (editor) - Healdsburg ...

Volume 20, Issue 4 APRIL, 2008
Langhart Award Dinner by Joe Norton
Save the date…
Each year we honor Museum volunteers, and remember
our founder, Edwin Langhart, with an award for
outstanding service. This year’s honoree will be
Kent Mitchell at a dinner on
May 14, at the Vintner’s Inn.
Kent has a long history in
Healdsburg, beginning with
summer vacations on the
Russian River when the family
would travel from San
Francisco each year for
vacation. He moved here fulltime
in the 1970s
Kent served on the
Healdsburg City Council for 12
years and was Mayor of
Healdsburg in 1996. He joined the Museum and Historical
Society in the early 1990s and was a member of the Board
of Directors from 1999 to the present. During that time he
was a reliable, enthusiastic volunteer, contributing to the
success of many Museum events.
Kent is a local real estate specialist with Frank Howard
Allen and partner in Blue Nose Wines. He has served as an
informal liason between HM&HS and the City
Government; developing and maintaining a smooth
working relationship. The culmination of his efforts was the
memorable celebration of Healdsburg’s 150 th Anniversary,
when Kent served as the Committee Chair.
Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the
celebration of Kent’s contribution to our success.
A New Newsletter Logo by Barry Stallard (editor)
Readers will note a new logo in the newsletter header.
The image from A.D Richardson's 1867 book, Beyond the
Mississippi, is an illustration by a man named Hogan titled,
Madrona Tree, Healdsburg,California.
Richardson described Healdsburg as "an agreeable
village" and that the madrona "in the principal street of the
town, towering and spreading above the highest buildings,
is singularly picturesque and venerable." The tree stood for
many years on West Street and was felled in the 1880's
after great citizen debate. We've also noted in the title, the
founding year of Healdsburg's first newspaper, The Review.
“Our Neighbor to the North”
Exhibit Opening Reception
Edson and Ann Howard, Karen and Harry Bosworth
APRIL, 2008
7 HMVA Meeting, 9:30 am
16 Board Meeting, 9:30 am
18 Community Recognition Dinner
for Neil Iversen (city sponsored),
Villa Chanticleer
Calendar
MAY, 2008
5 HMVA Meeting, 9:30 am
14 Langhart Dinner, Vintners Inn
21 Board Meeting, 9:30 am
25 Antique Fair, Plaza
Healdsburg Museum
221 Matheson Street
Healdsburg, CA 95448
Telephone 707 431 3325 - Fax 707 473 4471
www.healdsburgmuseum.org
HealdsburgMuseum@sbcglobal.net
Museum Hours: 11:00 - 4:00 pm
Thursday – Sunday, CLOSED MONDAY and
TUESDAY
Research Archives open by appointment:
Thursday – Saturday
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Curator’s Comments
by Curator Daniel F. Murley
Greetings from the ground floor!
When one thinks of photography quite often the
mind focuses on the familiar. The family snapshots in a
treasured album or that pile of undated unidentified
pictures stuffed in the top drawer of grandpa's old desk.
Most are black and white or color positive images on a
paper medium. The essentials of the photographic
process may be simply explained by the aperture of the
lens and time of exposure. As curator and photographer
my lens is wide-angle and the exposure is a long one. A
goal in macro lens presently is to expose all of us to the
wide variety of photographic artifacts which make up the
Museum's collection.
One of the earliest forms of photographic image was
the Daguerreotype named for its co-inventor a French
artist and chemist, Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
(1787-1851.) This was a great combination of interests
for photographers during the early years of this medium.
A negative image was produced on a polished metal
plate which had been coated with a light sensitive silver
salt preparation producing a single image which was not
reproducible. Most of these "photographs" required an
exposure time of 15 to twenty minutes which explains
the facial expressions of many of the subjects who sat
patiently for their portraits. Still these items which
transcended
the canvas,
became the
rage of Europe
when
popularized in
the 1840s. In
the 1850s the
ambrotype
which was an
image
produced on a
plate of glass,
backed in
black took the
Daguerreotype of its inventor - 1844 place of the
Daguerreotype. The ambrotype was less expensive and
did not have the shiny metal surface which many found
difficult to view. Shortly after this innovation, ingenious
practitioners perfected new photographic methods and
soon mastered the reproduction of multiple images from
one latent, negative image on glass and then celluloid
and modern photography followed.
Daguerreotype in case - Colonel Roderick Matheson probably taken in Boston, Massachusetts in the early 1860s
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Ambrotype - circa 1865
Mr. and Mrs. Tahoe McClasham
Healdsburg Mueum # 369-208
The visions of the men and women behind the lenses are
translated and conveyed by many various methods of the
processing of light. We will look at the products of these
processes in issues of this publication and future
Museum exhibitions as we explore this exciting portion
of the Museum’s collection.
Research Report by Holly Hoods
I will be giving a presentation to the
Cloverdale Historical Society April 15 th at 7:00 p.m.
The title of my talk is “Madam Preston and the Preston
Colony: New Discoveries and Old Myths.” Some of you
may recall that
Emily Preston and
her 19 th Century
health-oriented
spiritual community
was the focus of my
2000 MA thesis.
The historical
subject continues to
fascinate me and I
have made several
new research finds
as well as
discovering new
photos and artifacts
Madame Preston in recent years.
This talk will be my first opportunity to present
several new stories and images of old Preston. If all
goes as hoped (!), it will also be my first PowerPoint
presentation. The meeting will be held at the Clover
Springs Lodge, 215 Red Mountain Dr., 894-8770.
Directions: From Healdsburg, take 101 North to the first
Cloverdale exit (Cloverdale Blvd South), turn left at the
top of the overpass, then right onto Cloverdale Blvd.
Traveling north you will see the Clover Springs entrance
on your left (across from Briarwood Mobile Park). Turn
3
there and stay on that road. At the stop sign you will see
the lodge ahead of you.
Thanks to Jack Zanzi for answering, among other
things, my last month’s query regarding a photo I found
at the Museum: “Does anyone know what the 1930s-era
‘Herman and Shorty Pals Club’ was” It turns out that
Herman Wolfe, who owned a cigar store on West Street
(Healdsburg Avenue), and Ernest “Shorty” Cornell,
proprietor of the Plaza Barber Shop, loved to cook and
decided to host a large group of their buddies at a big
dinner. The 1939 photo of a Herman and Shorty Pals
Club gathering (that sparked my question) shows that
Herman and Shorty invited at least 40 men to their feast
at the Buffi Hotel (aka Buffi’s Inn, House of Sonoma,
Tony’s Sports Bar, now distressingly vacant). The first
dinner was such a hit, they decided to meet regularly to
eat, drink and smoke in a big sociable group of guys.
Such informal, male-only get-togethers were popular in
the 1920s-1950s, and were actually called “smokers.”
Times sure have changed, haven’t they
Meet Your Members by Bob Rawlins
This month, we resume the series on members who
contribute to the Museum in many ways behind the
scenes. Meet Ted Robinson, receptionist and keeper of
the log of volunteer hours.
Ted was born in Glendale, California and grew up
living in a number of southern California cities. He
attended Loyola High in Los Angeles and then Beverly
Hills High before joining the Army. After basic and
jump training at Fort
Benning, Georgia,
he rose to the rank
of Sergeant in an
airborne division.
After his tour in the
Army, he attended
Santa Monica City
College and
obtained a degree in
physical science and
education and
received teaching
credentials from
Long Beach State College.
Ted’s first teaching job, in 1962, was at Healdsburg
Junior High for two years, then six years at Healdsburg
High. In 1970, he moved to Monterey and taught at both
Seaside and Monterey High Schools. It was in Monterey
that he met Kay Schmidt (now Robinson) on the local
racquetball court where Ted recognized her from his
time in Healdsburg. The two married in 1986 and made
their home in Prunedale in North Monterey County. Ted
retired in 1992 and the couple moved to Gilroy where
Ted taught and coached football at Gavilan Junior
College.

In 2002, Ted and Kay moved back to Healdsburg to
live in the house where she had grown up. They quickly
joined HM&HS and also took a class from Gaye Le
Baron for general interest on local history. The
Robinsons are just two of a small number of volunteers
who volunteer regularly to take the reception duty on
Sundays. After Kay took over the photo preservation
scanning project, Ted often does double duty at the
reception desk while his wife works quietly in the office
below. The two also collaborate in maintaining a
computer record of volunteer hours. Now that’s
companionship.
Both Kay and Ted are avid golfers; Ted has a 13
handicap which is not quite as good as Kay’s 10. When
not on one of the local courses or at the Museum, Ted
can be found working on their ranch.We are pleased to
have Ted on our roster of volunteers and thank him for
his most welcome efforts on behalf of HM&HS.
HMVA News by Charlotte Anderson
The Museum is celebrating the coming of spring in
several ways. First, beginning in April, April 2 to be
exact, the upstairs gallery will again be open on
Wednesdays from 11 to 4! Thanks to you faithful
volunteers who were on “stand by” for the last few
months and are agreeing to return, Lea Gilg, Frank Zak,
Cilla Marshall, Donna Garvey, Martha Brooks, and Janet
Pisenti to name a few!
Once again we are appealing for help! Our long time
friend, Endowment Secretary Fern Naber, has tendered
her resignation after 14 years of thanking people for their
contributions! How do we thank her for her dedicated
services One way would be to find a replacement who
would be as caring as she was. There are no set days or
times to do the work so a volunteer would be free to
work on his or her own time and at his or her place of
choice!
Ed Seghesio, Arnold Santucci and Rachele Ann
Seghesio at the Pioneer Award Dinner
History Lives Epilogue
By The History Lives Committee
Wasn’t that a fine and fun evening And one
infinitely enhanced by Ed’s granddaughter, Katharine
Fay Gunnink, sharing her beautiful voice with us Once
again, the very affable attorney/M.C. Mark Gladden
carried the evening for us, as well as chef/caterer Ken
Rochioli and his crew setting a wonderful meal before
us. Our wines, the best, were graciously provided by our
generous sponsors and donors. The friendship and
camaraderie of the evening was everywhere evident and
inspired by the honorees Rachele Ann Passalacqua
Seghesio and Ed Seghesio and their loving families.
Members and visitors gathered at the exhibit
opening reception
Second, on Tuesday, March 25 at the Museum there
was a reception for the new temporary exhibit, Ann
Howard’s “Geyserville, Our Neighbor to the North.”
Visitors enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and libations donated
and served by Cilla Marshall, Carla Howell, Catherine
Curtis, Sue Phillips, Eleanor Zak, Charlotte Anderson,
Ann Mahoney, Kay Robinson, Janet Pisenti, Ed
Summerville and Kent Mitchell. If you missed this date,
you can come into the Museum to view the exhibit until
mid June. Also on Tuesday, Ann Howard gave a talk and
slide show at the Senior Center on “Hidden Clues to
Date Old Geyserville Photographs.” Attendees enjoyed a
fascinating presentation as well as coffee and cookies
provided by Pam Vana-Paxhia.
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Katharine Fay Gunnink, vocalist at the Dinner.
Ed Seghesio’s granddaughter
We, the History Lives Committee, certainly enjoyed the
event from start to finish, and we sincerely thank
everyone—sponsors, donors and attendees—for their
support of the community’s gem, the Healdsburg
Museum.

Endowment Fund Contributions:
Generous contributions from:
Otto Hoefler, Persis McCarley, Jean Taeuffer
In Remembrance of:
Barney Barnard - Leroy & Candy Danhausen, A.R. &
Betty Jean Kamrath, Ernest Frandsen, Gaye & John Le
Baron, Brandt Insurance, Walter & Cal Kimes and
Lorraine Kimes Owen, Raymond & Ruth Gardner, Joe &
Vivienne Rochioli, Rose Benson, Norm & Peachie
Dunlavy, George Greeott, June Fiege, Temple & June
Smith, Dane & Margaret Petersen, Don Darby, Charlotte
Anderson, Gino Bellagio
Patricia Ratchford Hoffman - Leroy and Candy
Danhausen
Roger Dailey - Wendy & Herb Steiner
Fran Coppel - Wendy & Herb Steiner
Steve Cox - Wendy & Herb Steiner
Virginia Sbrana – Jim & Gloria Cameron
Genevieve Peters – Gloria Christensen
Beverly Wilson – Shirley Buchignani
Manuel Velasquez – Shirley Buchignani
Betty Fraser – Gloria Christensen, June Fiege
Geoffrey L. Rawlins – Peggy Rawlins
Mary Simmons – Gino Bellagio
Raymond (Bing) Bettiga – Gino Bellagio
Welcome New Members:
Greg & Lorri Herrick
Max & Carolyn Dunn
Laura Sooy
Wanted: Do you have, think you have, or know
anyone who has a 1908-1940 Sears “Kit” House or
“Mail Order” House The do-it-yourself houses were
sent by rail to the station nearest you and the rest was up
to the buyer! Let us know if you have any information
by calling the Museum at 431-3325 or Charlotte
Anderson at 431-7910.
Artifacts etc…
By Daniel F. Murley
Not one faithful informed reader was able to come
up with a definitive identification for last month's
artifact. I therefore sought the opinion of the Sage of
Chalk Hill, George Greott. After an animated session of
postulation we guessed that the wooden bin-type item
was possibly used in vineyards or orchards to gather
fruit. The container would have been strapped with
another similar container to a wooden saddle attachment
and hung from each side of a beast of burden, a mule or
burro. Neither George nor I were positive but George
draws from eighty years of experience in local fruit
ranching (he was born in 1910).
Before the advent of the ubiquitous home radio
many homes had a device know simply as a Crystal Set.
Do you remember the "Crystal Set"
The little radio wave receiver could be easily assembled
and I remember helping my older brothers Jeff and Joe
build one from scratch. Museum members Brent and Jan
Stanley recently donated to the Museum a fine example
of this early form of communication technology. A
handsome Victrola built in about 1912 was also donated
by the Stanleys and is now on display.
Board of Directors: Ann Mahoney (President), Jim Brush (Vice President), Al Loebel (Past President), Kay Robinson (Recording
Secretary), Chris Baldenhofer (Treasurer), Stan Becker (Assist. Treas.), Mel Amato, Charlotte Anderson, John Cross, Anna Darden,
Vince Dougherty, Mark Gleason, Carla Howell, Dan Maraviglia, Joe Norton, Jan Pisenti, Bob Rawlins, Pam Vana-Paxhia, Frank
Zak.
The mission of the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is to record the history of the Healdsburg area through the
collection and preservation of historical materials; to actively foster the appreciation of local history of the Healdsburg
area through educational programs, activities and historical research; and to provide finances for, and to support,
operate and manage the Healdsburg Museum, Edwin Langhart, Founder.
Membership Dues:
Harmon Heald: $1000 Josefa Carrillo: $500 Edwin Langhart: $250 Gold: $100 Family (2 or more): $40
Business: $75 Individual: $25
Newsletter Editor: Barry Stallard, Printing by Amoruso
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