Sonoma County's first ever Finding History — A Day of Discovery was a big success, on Sunday, May 21st, 2017. I learned so much about the many, fascinating historical non-profit groups and organizations in our county. Highlight of the day was spending quality time with these interesting people under the rafters of the stunning DeTurk Round Barn in the old Italian neighborhood on the west side of Santa Rosa.
I have to confess that I didn't know too much about the history and heritage of round barns before being a part of this exciting, enriching, inaugural event. Mention round barns and most of us in the region think of the more visually prominent example on the Fountaingrove Inn property to the north.
The DeTurk Round Barn, like its Fountaingrove neighbor, was built as a horse stable in 1891. Thanks to the foresight of the City Santa Rosa, who has owned the barn since the 1900s, this particularly gracious structure, built in the style of the Utopian Movement at the height of agricultural efficiency through the early 1900s has undergone complete renovation into an event space that proved perfect for the first Finding History in Sonoma County — A Day of Discovery.
Presenter Bo Simons followed Santa Rosa Press Democrat's much loved columnist, Gaye LeBaron's introductory talk, bringing the work of Sonoma County pioneering wine industry and horse breeding entrepreneur Isaac DeTurk to life for an audience of regional history lovers.
The DeTurk Round Barn is listed as one of the state's 11 oldest round buildings. Three were built in Sonoma County. Most have disappeared from the landscape across the country, so it's especially pleasing to celebrate the renovation of this round barn in Santa Rosa.
Round barns have linked to the Utopian Movement of the of the Isaac DeTurk, one of the county's 1st winery owners, built the facility as a horse stable
Katherine Rinehart (pictured above) History & Genealogy Manager for Sonoma County Library and her awesome team worked with the county's board of supervisors to put this important new event together. The chance to meet so many people with an interest in Sonoma County history in person was invaluable to all of us who work with the many organizations in our region that are dedicated to preserving and sharing the past. Congrats, Katherine!
Our friends from Petaluma Historical Library and Museum were just across the way from my book table, so I was able to catch up with Museum Collections Manager Solange Russek (pictured below, right) and friends Paul Heavenridge (volunteer) and art historian Paula Freund (to the right of Solange). Paula is the curator extraordinaire of the upcoming, much anticipated exhibit Portraits of Petaluma Pioneers , opening at the museum June 10th and running through September 24th, 2017.
As the availability and popularity of camera portraiture grew in the mid 1800s, so did the booming frontier town of Petaluma. Pioneers took full advantage of the services on offer from entrepreneurial photographers of the day, preserving the chance for us to take a closer look at our neighbors of the past. I'll be writing lots more about this remarkable exhibit in the weeks to come. Click here for a full schedule of events at the museum during the exhibit.
It was terrific to meet and chat with lots of local writers and photographers, some of whom I know already, others I was able to meet for the first time. An air of collaboration and shared pride in where we live was palpable.
I was fortunate to share a table with Sonoma County's Poet Laureate, Iris Jamahl Dunkle (pictured below, during her presentation on her important current work). I first met Iris at a poetry workshop at Jack London State Park. Iris is writing a new, official biography of Charmian Kittredge London, Jack London's equally prolific wife.I can't wait to read it when it releases some time next year.
Lots of those who came to the round barn for this first Finding History Day took the time to stop and chat and buy books. It was my pleasure to be there and I'm already looking forward to next year!
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