THE GOLDEN FLAKES

The Golden Flakes is the official publication of The Gold Discovery Park Association

February, March, April 2015

www.marshallgold.org

Volume 44, Issue 48,49,50

Springtime in the Park Springtime brings many new things in the park. With the

trees all in bloom and the green grass sprouting everywhere - what a beautiful place to visit. Have you ever wondered why people love parks? Perhaps it’s a chance to get outdoors and appreciate the wonder of nature or sit on a rock next to the river and take a moment to contemplate life, but whatever the reason after so many grey months it’s like a breath of fresh air to get outside and enjoy the spring colors!

Springtime also brings the bus loads of excited school

children. And though it’s a busy time for park staff and volunteers, we are delighted to see them come and share our rich history with them. Every year we ask visitors if they’ve ever been to Coloma before and for many comes the answer, “I came when I was in grade school on a field trip.”

A Springtime visit this year will mean seeing the new replica sawmill all up and running along with the many other wonderful improvements in our park! If you haven’t been to the park in awhile, it’s time for you to

Contact Info: 530-622-6198 Gold Discovery Museum & Mercantile Hours 10 am - 5:00 pm Daily

Board of Directors Jennifer Steward (President) Gale Nored - Tanquary (Treasurer) Dennis Amaral Bill Bennett

All proceeds benefit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

make a visit soon! Get your pioneer demo together, come out on a 2nd Saturday and jump in to Living History Day or find a spot to help out....we certainly need you and would love to see you! Jennifer Steward

GDPA President

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

Superintendent’s Message Changes, changes, changes! There have been many changes around here in the last year to improve the park infrastructure. Although it does seem a little different around here, it still feels like Coloma when you visit. Though the work has been going on for awhile, now returning visitors who weren’t aware of all the additions and improvements, find themselves shocked and surprised to see that the mill has moved, and are pleased to see the work put into the park. The major work on the project is near completion and the work on the signage will start to take place soon.

I know you will be delighted and impressed to see the work being done to complete the mining methods signs and as well as upgrade the weathered signs which are posted throughout the park. Part of this is possible due to grants obtained by the GDPA as well as contributions from the GDPA. I can’t tell you how glad I am to be finally working on this long awaited project! Spring is here and I am excited to add to our, already packed, schedule the “Springtime In Coloma 49er Extravaganza” living history event Mother’s Day weekend. Since this year marks the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of Marshall’s Monument , we will have a rededication ceremony on this special event May 9th at 11 am at the monument. Thank you, once again, for your support and dedication to help improve this great park.

Jeremy McReynolds

Superintendent Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

pAGE 2

Meet Our Staff

Sara Kendall

Surely you’ve met Sara Kendall, better known as Sara SK. Sara is a park aide who is the genious behind all the progress we are seeing in our Library! It’s amazing how much Sara and her crew of volunteers accomplish in the few days that Sara is in the park! When I asked her how she first came to the park she said, “ I was invited to help with the library by Jeremy after some community researchers who knew about my organization skills, had recommended me to him. This was quite an honor, I must say.” When Sara is not working at Marshall Gold, she runs her business, “Brainwork! Tutoring and Business Support.” Sara is a teacher who provides academic tutoring, learning skills & coaching to local students. She also provides community education in our county which includes Mental Health First Aid classes. Being a bit of a renaissance person, Sara also provides bookkeeping, organization, and social media support to local businesses, she volunteers at the Gold Trail Grange in Coloma (currently serving as Lecturer - previously serving as Treasurer). And that’s not all! Sara is also a volunteer performer at Marshall Grange in Garden Valley as the MC and performer in our monthly Bistro night. During the summer months she assists several non-profit rafting groups that help disadvantaged youth and disabled adults enjoy the river and nature here in Coloma. Sara has a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Mills College. She also has a Master’s degree from San Diego State University in sociology. Sara is currently enrolled in Sierra College, Rocklin, taking classes to improve her job skills such as library science as well as taking Spanish. Focusing on the environmental and social history of the South Fork American River. A copy of this work is available at the American River Conservancy’s Nature Center. Sara also has a Master’s degree from San Diego State University in sociology. Sara grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a sister who still lives there with her wonderful spouse and their bright daughter - Sara’s niece. Her parents still live there as well (and wonder why they never moved to California.) Sara tries to visit all her family once a year including another cluster in Chicago and Denver. Some of Sara’s interests and hobbies include a love for reading (which certainly suits a librarian!). She especially likes sci-fi and fantasy “Because,” she says, “they get into the ‘what if’ questions that I find so interesting - what if there is no gravity, or time is different, or social structures shift continually, or energy plays a different role.” Sara also loves to swim and boat in the river, and to keep learning more about the geese, turkeys, deer, birds and insects who are her neighbors

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

February march april 2015

PAGE 3

Meet Our Volunteers



Ed and Joanne Allen

If you’ve met James Marshall in the park, then you’ve met Ed Allen. Ed knows more about James Marshall than most people and he takes great pleasure in sharing the story of the California Gold Rush through the character of Mr. Marshall. Ed has been volunteering here at Marshall Gold since the fall of 2003 (which is the same year that Ed and Joanne retired and moved to the gold country). The motivating factors in moving here were family and Ed’s interest in history - oh, and motorcycle riding. Ed’s brother, Harry, lived in Cameron Park. He organized a brother’s motorcycle ride in 2001. Norm, who lived in Gilroy, Bob who lives in Salinas, and Ed who lived in Scotts Valley at the time all came up to the foothills for a long weekend of motorcycle riding on the great back roads of El Dorado County. When Ed got home he started thinking about this area as a great place to retire. He told Joanne “I’ve ridden every road there is to ride in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties a hundred times, often in damp, cold fog. I want to head to the foothills.” A life long love of history was born in Ed when his 4th grade teacher, Miss Stein, peaked his curiosity - California History has been a passion of Ed’s ever since then. When Ed was 14 years old, with his father’s encouragement, Ed planned a family vacation around his interest in the gold rush - traveling Highway 49. Ed recalls the highlight of their trip as being the ghost town of Bodie. Ed knew when he retired he wanted to volunteer so for fifteen years Ed and Joanne volunteered during July and August at Bodie State Historic Park. The first year, as a trial, it was a four-week stay. They worked 4 days at Bodie leading tours of the Standard Stamp Mill, giving history talks, working in the museum and collecting money at the entrance kiosk. That left 3-day weekends to hike, fish and explore the fantastic backside of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The second year it was 5 weeks of volunteering, then 6, all the way up to 8 weeks. Now Ed’s main volunteer job is here with the family at Marshall Gold Discovery SHP. (For many years he also volunteered on Sundays at the Fountain Talman Museum in downtown Placerville). Joanne’s main volunteer job is as an instructor and preparer with AARP-Taxide - a program that prepares free income tax returns for folks, focusing on seniors and low-income residents of El Dorado County. Joanne also volunteers at the American River Conservancy and leads hikes at the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Company Farm. Here at Marshall Gold, Joanne participates in special events and does the graphic arts for many of the advertising posters, pins and T-shirts. When they are not volunteering, Ed and Joanne like to explore and travel. Ed is a machinist, welder, and rock hound. He enjoys making decorative gates and grinding rocks into perfect spheres. Joanne is an avid quilter. Ed and Joanne are both native Californians. Ed was born in Santa Monica and Joanne in San Francisco. Ed spent (or misspent) his youth in Fresno, Firebaugh and Salinas. Joanne grew up in Santa Clara. One of the things Ed loves about this park is sharing his fascination and love of history. Ed says, “ Telling visitors what you know about history is fun and it’s great to get people involved, to make their experience special.” Volunteering is a family affair with the Allen’s. Amongst other things, you’ll see Ed and his brother Norm, in the museum and leading tours on Tuesday and Thursday. You’ll see Joanne assisting her sister, Maureen Brown, at any event Sweet Shop. Ed, Maureen and Norm have all served on the GDPA board; they are really dedicated to making Marshall Gold a great place to visit.

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

pAGE 4

Grant Programs Benefit Our Park

The GDPA and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park would like to thank The California State Parks Foundation for the award of a grant in the amount of $4,000. Association president, Jennifer Steward, applied for this grant to aid in building ten Tent City buildings for a developing program called The Environmental Living Program. This program will enhance the Eureka Program where students and park visitors can learn about the Gold Rush through hands - on programs like Gold Panning, Leather-craft poke pouch making, Wagons Ho!, and The Gold Discovery Tour. We plan to expand our programs to include other day and overnight programs where students can further learn about and experience the Gold Rush by participating in other pioneer activities.

More Grant Programs & Awards The GDPA and Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park would also like to thank The El Dorado County Cultural and Community Grant Program for the recent award of a grant in the amount of $5,000. Dennis Amaral of the GDPA Board of Directors applied for this grant to help with the new park project to update and upgrade many signs around the park. This phase of the sign project will be in the Mining Methods area. In 2014, Volunteer Paul Kramer helped our association by applying for this same grant and we were awarded $5,000 which was used for expenses to host our annual Coloma Gold Rush Live event. Supplies to build three tent city buildings were purchased with this grant money as well as a very large canvas tent. While a good deal of our revenue raised in our park comes through The Gold Rush Mercantile and money raised through the GDPA fund raising at events and such, we really appreciate these grants offered and awarded from various organizations. Marshall Gold Discovery SHP is an important park and such a key element in providing educational programs that keep history alive and continue to tell the Gold Rush story. We are honored to be part of a park that plays such a vital role in California and American history! Meet Our Staff continued...

in Coloma. Oh, and she also likes the performing arts and ushers for the Auburn Symphony and Imagination Theater in Placerville. As the Library Lead, Sara coordinates volunteers who work to make the library more available and accessible to users and it is a priority of hers to make sure volunteers and docents have the materials they need to research in order to be able to interpret Coloma’s history to the public. She also works to preserve our historic books, oral histories, and other materials. I usually ask staff to share what they love as well as what they find challenging here. Sara would love to see more funding to help with material improvements as well as having more staff. Sara, along with other “park aides” (who love their jobs) find it hard to make a living with that kind of job classification! Sara loves the beauty of the park and the excitement visitors have to be here and finds it especially rewarding to work with such wonderful people, staff and volunteers. She says, “There is a great sense of family here that I appreciate. I particularly love the warm relations the Association and the Park have here in Coloma. Everyone helps everyone else, and keeps in mind the big picture of making this a great destination for visitors from around the world.”

THE GOLDEN FLAKES Gold Discovery Day was celebrated Saturday, January 24, 2015 on a beautiful, sunny day in the park! There was certainly an excitement in the air as both park visitors and docents came out in full force!

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

pAGE 5 The schedule included several speakers, FREE Gold Discovery Tours featuring James Marshall, John Sutter, and Jenny Wimmer. There was some great food, pioneer activities and historic demonstrations.

1848 2015

We have the best volunteers!

Trenton Anvil Repair

by Mark Kochan

Anvils are one of a blacksmiths main tools. We have London Pattern anvils in the Coloma Blacksmith shop. That includes one anvil that we keep in the Coloma Grey’s and a farm anvil that we maintain unrestored in the entry of the shop. They have been maintained by the Coloma Smiths for almost 20 years. From time to time they need dressing and occasionally repair. Three of our anvils are in everyday use. Two of these, the Peter Wrights, needed and got dressed. The main shop anvil needed much more. The edges were chipping away even with careful use. This is an indication that the original repair was failing and it was becoming dangerous to use. Weighing approx. 150 lbs. it has a Trenton logo. Although they look very similar, there are two distinct brands of Trenton anvils, one produced for Hermann Boker and one produced by the Columbus (OH) Forge and Iron Company (CF&I). H. Boker is connected to the Boker family business in Germany, which produces ne edged items. He is believed to have either an interested in or have been a broker for the Trenton (NJ) Anvil and Vise Company (TA&V). The original anvil was a wrought-iron bodied, steel plate top anvil made in Germany with Trenton stamped on it within a attened diamond. These are circa 1860-1898. It is possible he began an association with TA&V about then and had the logo stamp simply changed from H. BOKER to TRENTON. This information was acquired from the the Richard Postman Book, Anvils in America. Typically these German Trentons can be recognized by their at base, the weight is usually stamped below the logo, there is no serial number on the front foot, most have ats on the front and back feet like a Peter Wright anvil, but more pronounced, and those made between circa 1896-1898 will have the word GERMANY stamped either on the side or on the front foot. In general, overall shape is just a bit dierent than the American Trenton, particularly the front and back feet. We believe ours is an American Trenton made around 1900. Repairing a 150 lb. piece of iron that is also a piece of history is not a task to be taken lightly. All repairs were made between 400 and 450 degrees F. using Stoody 2110 and 1105 hard facing rod. Two of our Coloma smiths attended an eight hour training class at John McLellens Blacksmith Shop in Loomis CA. All of the work performed in 2015 was done by Lead smith Mark Kochan, John Dale and Sean Wilson. It was originally done by Bob Thompson working with Bill Curry about 15 years ago. Many years of experience added to new skills acquired in Josh Buhlert’s class were used to save our Trenton Anvil. We believe we were successful, but only time will tell.

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

Bear Bins

Entrance Sign

Visitor Center Signs

Covered Awnings

Marshall Gold was honored to be chosen as the spot to host the Commission Dinner. Starting in the middle of the day with having lunch at The Argonaut, Superintendent McReynolds then gave many State Park representatives a tour of our park including our programs and project updates. Tables decorated with lovely decorations and fine china (compliments of Gale Tanquary) were set up inside the Visitor Center Theater with hors d’oeuvres served outside. The dinner was prepared and served by volunteers: Gale Tanquary, Jennifer Steward, Maureen Brown, Brenda Carroll and Laurel Steward. It was a great time to “show off” our park to some important people!

pAGE 7

Projects Nearing Completion The Sawmill

Marshall Gold Sponsors the Commission Dinner

Covered Sign

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

pAGE 8

SPRINGTIME A 49 ER EXTRAVAGANZA MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND M AY 9 t h & 1 0 t h 1850’s Tent Town • Wagon Rides Saloon • Portrait Studio Living History • Gold Panning 10 am to 4 pm • $8 per car Gifts for Mom at the Sweet Shoppe & Flower Shoppe SATURDAY SPECIAL EVENTS 125 th Anniversar y Celebrating Marshall’s Monument • 11am Hot Dog and Hamburger BBQ SUNDAY SPECIAL EVENT Victorian Tea & Br unch 11am • $20 per person

Tickets Must Be Purchased In Advance More Info at www.marshallgold.org or 530-622-3470

Springtime in Coloma ~ a 49er Extravaganza Springtime in the park is a lovely time and makes for a lovely place to spend some time. Typically, Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year with families enjoying time with Mom having a special picnic and exploring the park! So this year, we thought “why not host a spring event?” Marshall Gold Discovery SHP is proud to announce our first (and maybe annual) Spring event called “Springtime in Coloma ~ a 49er Extravaganza”. The word extravaganza gives the idea that many things will be going on to delight our visitors! This year marks the 125th Anniversary of Marshall’s Monument so there will be a ceremony hosted by the Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West, at the monument on Saturday at 11:00 am. We’ll have wagon rides all weekend, a GDPA barbecue where folks can purchase a yummy hamburger or hot dog. There’s going to be a 49er mini tent town with lots of interpreters (sort of like an expanded Living History Day) where visitors can step back in time and visit the Saloon, get their photo taken (with Mom) at The Portrait Studio. We will have other great ways to treat Mom too - pick up a bouquet of flowers for her in our Flower Shoppe AND step into The Sweet Shoppe and buy up some delightful goodies made by volunteer / docent Maureen Brown (along with her trusty sidekick and sister, Joanne Allen) On Sunday, plan to attend the church service held at 10:00 at The Emmanuel Church with the singing of hymns and a special service offered by Reverend Cool. Right after the service, make your way down to the grassy area between The Gold Trail Grange and the sawmill timbers display for our Victorian Tea & Brunch held at 11:00 (Purchase tickets in advance). Park volunteers will be decked out in Victorian clothing ready to serve our guests a delicious Brunch at tables all decorated with lace and china! (There are only 100 spots available and tickets must be purchased ahead of time- visit www.marshallgold.org or stop in at The Gold Rush Mercantile to buy tickets) For more information about the event please call 530-622-3470.

(A BIG thanks to Joanne Allen for designing event posters!)

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

FEbruAry mArcH ApriL 2015

pAGE 9

The Marshall Gold App ~ Volunteers Needed! A few years ago, an app was developed for Marshall Gold Discovery SHP. We are proud to be this first California State Park with our own App and to be able to use this technology to help improve our visitor experience! Anyone with a Smart Phone type device, can access the App (to see and learn about all the great features, buildings etc. in our park). The possibilities are endless for how we can enhance and expand the app and we could use some help to do it! We are looking for volunteers to help research, develop, and update new content. If you like filming (with an Iphone), We would love to film docents demonstrating various aspects of the gold rush to upload onto the app. No experience necessary. This is a fun project to work on and we would welcome your creative ideas and energy for the project! If interested please contact Maureen Brown at [email protected] 530-626-0147 Have you seen the Marshall Gold App? To download the app, visit: http://marshallgold.com/download-app/

Gold Rush Concerns

TiDbiTS - iN - TimE By Holly Thane

April 2015

SArAH LyON NOTEwArE Sarah Lyon was born to parents that were native of Scotland. She was one of seven children. Her family moved around through Michigan and Indiana before settling in Illinois for a time. Sarah was sixteen years old when she left Illinois with her father and her six siblings and headed to California on the Overland Trail. Her mother, who is recorded as an “invalid”, stayed behind in Illinois. There is no record that Sarah ever saw her mother again. The family arrived in Diamond Springs in September 1850 where Sarah became a school teacher. Sarah continued Thomas Noteware House as a teacher until her marriage to Chauncy N. Noteware in 1854. Chauncy had arrived in 1850 to Diamond Springs to try his hand at mining but was unsuccessful. In 1853, he became the community’s first postmaster. Records also show that in 1854 he was listed as a Well’s Fargo agent which was his position when he and Sarah met and married. In 1855, he became the County Recorder. Because of this job he and Sarah moved to Coloma - which was the county seat. They lived in what was known as the Scheiffer Mitchell House. Their first child Mary Elizabeth was born in 1857. Sarah at this point had purchased some property on High Street and had commissioned a five room house to be built. Sadly, shortly after their daughter was born the county seat was moved to Placerville and they never lived in the house she had been so excited to build. They moved to Placerville where her husband finished his term and they had their second child. Once his term was up they moved to Douglas County, Nevada Territory where he received his next appointment. He would soon after be appointed by President Lincoln as the first receiver agent for the Land Office and in 1864 Nevada’s first Secretary of State. Sarah sadly had contracted Typhoid in 1854 and it had weakened her ever since. She passed away in You wish to know what is the State of 1867 and is buried at Carson City, Nevada. During her lifetime she wrote many letters to her Morals here. That question I can hardly cousin Eliza Logan telling about life in California and saying what a wonderful place California was compared answer, But I think take the mass they to Illinois. One letter, which is being kept by the Nevada Historical Society, is written to Eliza as she is recovering are better educated, more intelligent, and from her Typhoid fever. She writes about her sister just truely honrable than in the States. In the being married, and the clothing worn by the women that attended the celebration. She also mentions the climate mines you don’t know the Gentleman or being much nicer and encouraging her to bring the rest lady by their dress. You can see young of the family out to California to live. She spends much of the letter discussing how you can’t judge people by men working from morning till night, wearing their clothing out in the mining towns. Men all wear their flannel shirts and cooking their own meals whether they their red flannel shirts, and cooking their are former doctors and gentleman or a “working man”. own wittels, who have been Educated in In this letter she had also enclosed a gold ring made out the best Collages, and whoes Parents are of gold she herself had panned.

“

A quote from Sarah’s letter ~

some of the most aristocratic families in the Southern, and Eastern, States”.

THE GOLDEN FLAKES

NOv / DEc 2014, jAN 2015

pAGE 11

Welcome to the place where the spirit of California was born!

A Special Thanks We would like to take this opportunity to thank Valerie and David London of The London Family Fund for their continued support. Each year, they extend a generous grant to Marshall Gold Discovery SHP. They love the educational programs we offer here and want to support programs and projects that benefit children’s interpretive programs. We would also like to extend our condolences to the family as David, who was a genrous man of many talents, passed away (in March 2014) after a brief battle with cancer.

With Much Sadness We want to express our love and concern to our own Carol Timmerman. Her dear husband, Lyle Timmerman, (who was also a park volunteer for many years) passed away very suddenly on Tuesday March 31st after suffering cardiac arrest. Carol has been surrounded by her family during this ordeal but your love and concern will go a long way as this is going be very difficult for her. The Timmermans had plans to leave soon on a trip to Ireland to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

Newsletter submissions are welcome & due by June 15th. Please submit your ideas, news, and articles to:

[email protected] Editor - Jennifer Steward

The Gold Discovery Park Association is proud to be the cooperating association for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

WHO WE ARE: We are a private, non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors and a set of by-laws. We are funded through, grants, memberships, donations, sales of merchandise and fundraising events. Your membership contribution directly supports the interepretation, education and volunteer programs at the park. WHAT WE DO: We sustain a variety of programs for children and adults, contribute to projects that preserve our historic buildings and help maintain park facilities. In doing so, we support the mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation of providing top quality visitor experiences. WHERE WE ARE: We operate the Gold Rush Mercantile inside the Gold Discovery Museum and offer for sale a variety of educational and interpretive items, a fine selection of California and Gold Rush -era books, gifts and toys.

Your Membership is 100% tax deductible Gold Rush Mercantile 530-344-1895

www.marshallgold.org

Annual Membership Form (Membership year Jan1 - Dec 31) • • • •

$10 Newsletter only membership $20 Individual $30 Family (2 adults & children under 18) Seniors (62+) receive 20% off memberships •

Membership Benefits!

The sense of belonging to something great! • Free subscription to the print newsletter • 20% discount at The Gold Rush Mercantile

NAME: ___________________________ ADDRESS: __________________________ CITY:__________________STATE: ______ ZIP: _______PHONE:__________________ EMAIL: ___________________________

P.O. Box 461 Coloma, CA 95613

We’re on the Web www.marshallgold.org

“Dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.”

DATES TO REMEMBER Tuesday April 21

Board of Directors Meeting The Weller House

Saturday & Sunday May 9th & 10th

Springtime In Coloma ~ a 49er Extravaganza Spring Event 10:00 -4:00 Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

Tuesday May 19

Board of Directors Meeting The Weller House

Saturday June 13

Living History Day Marshall Gold Discovery SHP 10:-2:00

Tuesday June 16

Board of Directors Meeting The Weller House * Check the website as LHD occurs “weather permitting”

5:30

5:30

5:30