Ohlone Indians - Part II
Join us for a potluck dinner and meeting on May 19th at 6:30 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 14103 Saratoga Avenue. Please bring some food to share and your own dishes and utensils. Coffee and tea will be provided, but if green beer or wine is your choice then bring it with you! For information call Nancy Anderson.

Our second presentation on the Lives of the Ohlone Indians of the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Area will be the speaker's topic at our May 19th meeting. State Archeologist Mark Hylkema will tell how, in 1769, when the first Spanish expedition reached the San Francisco Bay area they encountered numerous tribal communities that lived in a bountiful landscape.

Mark Hylkema is currently the Santa Cruz District Archaeologist for California State Parks, and manages cultural resources within 32 parks in an area ranging from San Francisco to the Pajaro River. He was formerly a Caltrans District Archaeologist and managed archaeological resources within the nine Bay Area counties. Mark also works on many other projects throughout the state and has 27 years' experience in California archaeology with an emphasis on Native American culture. Mark has spent considerable time among various tribal communities, particularly in Central and Northern California. He did his graduate research on the archaeology of the San Mateo and Santa Cruz County coast and has directed excavations throughout the greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. He works full time as the Santa Cruz District Archaeologist for California State Parks, and teaches part time at Santa Clara University, University of California at Santa Cruz, De Anza College, Ohlone College and Cabrillo College. He currently lives in Sunnyvale.

Living History Day on May 17
Come to the historic Saratoga Village on Saturday, May 17th from 11:00 AM. to 2:00 PM, and enjoy the second Living History Day, sponsored by the Saratoga Village Development Council (SVDC). Saratogans will adopt the characters of famous historic personalities from our town's rich past. You will be able to visit with Olivia De Havilland, Joan Fontaine, and Senator James Phelan, to name just a few. Our own Nancy Anderson will portray Florence R. Cunningham.

Most historic characters will found up and down Big Basin Way, waiting to chat with you. Ms. Cunningham will be greeting visitors at the Museum.

This event is free and promises to be a wonderful event for all ages. Children will be given a historic Saratoga coloring book produced by Les Landin.

Historic Military Tank Tour
May 31, 10am - noon. This tour will take you through of one of the largest and most significant collections of military tanks and related equipment in the world. Located in Portola Valley just 30 miles from Saratoga is the Military Vehicle Technology Foundation which acquires, restores, and interprets the historical significance of 20th and 21st century military vehicles. The collection includes over 150 restored foreign and domestic tanks and related equipment. An expert docent will lead the two-hour tour.

New Exhibit Opened March 7
Health care is a hot topic today. Have you wondered what health care was like in early Saratoga? Our new exhibit will provide a glimpse into this interesting topic. We will feature items from Dr. Hogg, an early doctor in town, and from Dr. Rossi, the last owner of the Saratoga Drug Store.

Jewelry designer Ann Johnson has completed the latest release in the Saratoga Heritage Jewelry Collection. The newly restored McWilliams House is available as a solid silver charm (shown actual size) to add to your bracelet or to wear as a pendant, and a lapel pin. Prices are still only $25 for non-members or $22.50 for SHF members. Please visit the Saratoga History Museum Shop and see all the wonderful new items
The Saratoga Historical Foundation Museum
The Saratoga Historical Foundation Museum located at Saratoga Historical Park: 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA
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Education at McWilliams House
We are delighted to report that the Education Docents have been kept very busy delivering programs to visiting groups at the Museum and McWilliams House. The response has been very favorable from school groups and adult groups alike:

"On behalf of the Argonauts, I appreciate the planning you did to make this an enjoyable and informative event. Our Argonauts learned so much, and I believe we imparted some of our knowledge with your docents. Afterwards at lunch, I received so many praises on how much our members enjoyed your tour. Creating four groups and keeping the tour on time was very convenient and appreciated." --- Marvin Tanner, Argonauts Historical Society of San Jose.

I spoke with one of the leaders of a large Girl Scout troop that our docent, Tina Liddie, arranged to visit. She said "The girls (there were 30 scouts) really, really enjoyed the visit. They all want to come back again."

We have quite a number of 3rd grade school groups coming in March and April. It seems the word is spreading that we have a worthwhile program! We are especially appropriate for 3rd grades since the CA Social Studies Standards focus on local community history at that grade.

It is personally rewarding to share some of Saratoga History with young people and adults and hear that our team is so successful. We always welcome anyone interested in joining us. You don't have to "know" all the answers, because we provide a binder with all the information you need. Visitors are divided into 4 smaller groups, so a docent only works with 4-5 visitors at any time. As a new docent you would partner with one who is more experienced . We are all learning as we go, and we even found out that it is FUN! Docents don't have to commit to a regular schedule. I call the list when we have a group date. Everyone participates as much or as little as they wish to. If you even have a tiny interest, call me and let me give you more information. You may want to just come and watch several programs before making Sam Cloud Building as it appears today up your mind. You might also know of an adult or school-age group that would enjoy our program. I would love to hear from you!

Saratoga Historical Foundation  ·  20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA 95070-5935  ·  #408.867.4311
© Saratoga Historical Foundation 2008