President's Message July 2019
The Annual General Meeting of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society
A message from your president
I am excited to share with you the results of our annual election and the new members of the board for 2019-20:
President: Katie Holley Vice-President: Greg Zirbel Treasurer: Chaun Mortier
Recording Secretary: Tracy Pelletier Corresponding Secretary: Chaun Mortier
Board Member at Large: Karl Pape Board Member at Large: Rick Solinsky
I am very proud of our team and their accomplishments.
President: Katie Holley Vice-President: Greg Zirbel Treasurer: Chaun Mortier
Recording Secretary: Tracy Pelletier Corresponding Secretary: Chaun Mortier
Board Member at Large: Karl Pape Board Member at Large: Rick Solinsky
I am very proud of our team and their accomplishments.
As we continue to seek an editor for our newsletter, Echoes From the Past, we still want to keep you informed about things happening in the Society and the community as it relates to history. Please enjoy this informal roundup of events and announcements.
Transcontinental Railroad Sesquicentennial Celebration all Summer Long
For details regarding the 150th anniversary celebrations, go to goldspike.org.
To read the 27 unique articles about the 150th celebration topics, please see this page.
Members of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society are engaged in numerous events and projects this summer celebrating the Sesquicentennial as well as continuing in ongoing projects and collaborations to preserve and protect local history.
150th Anniversary Passport
Don’t miss out! Your very own Railroad Passport (available at the Visitor’s Center downtown for $3) will guide you on a wondrous journey down Donner Pass Road and up to the Summit. Each Passport page carries a history of the location where you can get your VISA stamped, collecting information and memories as you travel along the route of the railroad through Truckee. More information at goldspike.org.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: MUSEUM OF TRUCKEE HISTORY IS A REALITY!
May 10 saw the soft opening of the new Museum of Truckee History in the train depot downtown (10065 Donner Pass Road). In a collaboration with the Truckee Donner Railroad Society, this new museum will offer a continuous narrative of the history of the area, told through artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal accounts of those who lived and worked here. During this first season, while our curators Greg Zirbel and Chaun Mortier are organizing exhibits, the museum will be open with limited hours. You can email [email protected] to learn when the museum will be open to the public.
Two Floats in the Fourth of July Parade
Also in collaboration with the Truckee Donner Railroad Society, TDHS will have two floats in the parade on July 4. One float will commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Transcontinental Railroad, and the other will be the Railroad Regulators’ replica of the Old Jail (now owned by TDHS). Volunteers are welcome to join in float preparation on July 3, starting at 9 am. Email [email protected] for location details.
Old Timers’ Picnic, 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday, July 20, Truckee Regional Park - FLYER
Our annual picnic that brings together old timers and future old timers of the community will be even better if we get to see you there! Bring a sack lunch, and look forward to some celebratory cake provided by TDHS. Meet new people - as my grandmother used to say, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet” - and see familiar faces. We will have a raffle for historical photographs of the local area and for books both brand new and rare.
Successful Yard Sale
TDHS held its second annual yard sale on May 4, yielding a few hundred dollars that will go toward ongoing research and archival projects.
Donation of Office Equipment:
In June, the Truckee Donner PUD generously gave us three fire-rated 4-drawer lockable file cabinets, increasing our secure storage at the Joseph Research Library by 200%.
Donation of Priceless Chinese Artifact:
A local family has given us a wooden cabinet from the Chinese Herb Shop on South River St. that bears Chinese writing on it, directly linking the cabinet to its use in the 1800s. The cabinet will be exhibited in the Museum of Truckee History. We are so grateful to the family for sharing this amazing piece of Truckee history with TDHS and the community.
Old Jail Museum open for the season
The Old Jail Museum is open for the season and ready for you to share with your summer visitors, or to become a docent, or both!
Open for Truckee Thursdays July 11 through August 29, 5 - 8 pm;
Saturdays and Sundays through September 1, 10 am - 4 pm.
Start Thinking About Becoming a Member of the Peppy and Productive TDHS Board
As with many all-volunteer organizations, TDHS depends on a dedicated few to accomplish the ongoing responsibility of preserving and protecting Truckee area history. We are asking you to join the fun and experience the pleasure of researching inquiries, untangling historical paradoxes, and delighting in discoveries.
Board meetings are once a month and last about 1 ½ hours. We invite you to consider becoming part of the team.
Opportunities for Involvement with TDHS: Newsletter Editor, Treasurer, Museum Docent, and Membership Chair
Newsletter Editor:
We are in immediate need of an editor for our quarterly on-line newsletter, Echoes From the Past. Our talented editor emeritus Heidi Sproat will be available for help and consultation.
Treasurer:
A board position, the treasurer is responsible for the timely paying of bills and deposits of income. Our bookkeeper takes care of monthly bank reconciliation. Please consider this important work. Elections for board positions occurs in September.
Museum Docent: We always welcome new docents to share Truckee history with visitors to the Old Jail Museum. We now have the opportunity to share our love of the history of our area at the new Museum of Truckee History as well. You do not have to know a lot of history to be a docent! Warmth and enthusiasm are the best ingredients for drawing visitors into Truckee’s stories. There are some wonderful stories to tell, and many waiting to be discovered - perhaps by you! Please contact us for more information at [email protected].
Membership Chair: the membership chair keeps track of when membership renewals are due and sends acknowledgements via email for renewals and new member registrations. This is not a board position, but will be open in September.
Transcontinental Railroad Sesquicentennial Celebration all Summer Long
For details regarding the 150th anniversary celebrations, go to goldspike.org.
To read the 27 unique articles about the 150th celebration topics, please see this page.
Members of the Truckee-Donner Historical Society are engaged in numerous events and projects this summer celebrating the Sesquicentennial as well as continuing in ongoing projects and collaborations to preserve and protect local history.
150th Anniversary Passport
Don’t miss out! Your very own Railroad Passport (available at the Visitor’s Center downtown for $3) will guide you on a wondrous journey down Donner Pass Road and up to the Summit. Each Passport page carries a history of the location where you can get your VISA stamped, collecting information and memories as you travel along the route of the railroad through Truckee. More information at goldspike.org.
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: MUSEUM OF TRUCKEE HISTORY IS A REALITY!
May 10 saw the soft opening of the new Museum of Truckee History in the train depot downtown (10065 Donner Pass Road). In a collaboration with the Truckee Donner Railroad Society, this new museum will offer a continuous narrative of the history of the area, told through artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal accounts of those who lived and worked here. During this first season, while our curators Greg Zirbel and Chaun Mortier are organizing exhibits, the museum will be open with limited hours. You can email [email protected] to learn when the museum will be open to the public.
Two Floats in the Fourth of July Parade
Also in collaboration with the Truckee Donner Railroad Society, TDHS will have two floats in the parade on July 4. One float will commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Transcontinental Railroad, and the other will be the Railroad Regulators’ replica of the Old Jail (now owned by TDHS). Volunteers are welcome to join in float preparation on July 3, starting at 9 am. Email [email protected] for location details.
Old Timers’ Picnic, 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday, July 20, Truckee Regional Park - FLYER
Our annual picnic that brings together old timers and future old timers of the community will be even better if we get to see you there! Bring a sack lunch, and look forward to some celebratory cake provided by TDHS. Meet new people - as my grandmother used to say, “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet” - and see familiar faces. We will have a raffle for historical photographs of the local area and for books both brand new and rare.
Successful Yard Sale
TDHS held its second annual yard sale on May 4, yielding a few hundred dollars that will go toward ongoing research and archival projects.
Donation of Office Equipment:
In June, the Truckee Donner PUD generously gave us three fire-rated 4-drawer lockable file cabinets, increasing our secure storage at the Joseph Research Library by 200%.
Donation of Priceless Chinese Artifact:
A local family has given us a wooden cabinet from the Chinese Herb Shop on South River St. that bears Chinese writing on it, directly linking the cabinet to its use in the 1800s. The cabinet will be exhibited in the Museum of Truckee History. We are so grateful to the family for sharing this amazing piece of Truckee history with TDHS and the community.
Old Jail Museum open for the season
The Old Jail Museum is open for the season and ready for you to share with your summer visitors, or to become a docent, or both!
Open for Truckee Thursdays July 11 through August 29, 5 - 8 pm;
Saturdays and Sundays through September 1, 10 am - 4 pm.
Start Thinking About Becoming a Member of the Peppy and Productive TDHS Board
As with many all-volunteer organizations, TDHS depends on a dedicated few to accomplish the ongoing responsibility of preserving and protecting Truckee area history. We are asking you to join the fun and experience the pleasure of researching inquiries, untangling historical paradoxes, and delighting in discoveries.
Board meetings are once a month and last about 1 ½ hours. We invite you to consider becoming part of the team.
Opportunities for Involvement with TDHS: Newsletter Editor, Treasurer, Museum Docent, and Membership Chair
Newsletter Editor:
We are in immediate need of an editor for our quarterly on-line newsletter, Echoes From the Past. Our talented editor emeritus Heidi Sproat will be available for help and consultation.
Treasurer:
A board position, the treasurer is responsible for the timely paying of bills and deposits of income. Our bookkeeper takes care of monthly bank reconciliation. Please consider this important work. Elections for board positions occurs in September.
Museum Docent: We always welcome new docents to share Truckee history with visitors to the Old Jail Museum. We now have the opportunity to share our love of the history of our area at the new Museum of Truckee History as well. You do not have to know a lot of history to be a docent! Warmth and enthusiasm are the best ingredients for drawing visitors into Truckee’s stories. There are some wonderful stories to tell, and many waiting to be discovered - perhaps by you! Please contact us for more information at [email protected].
Membership Chair: the membership chair keeps track of when membership renewals are due and sends acknowledgements via email for renewals and new member registrations. This is not a board position, but will be open in September.
