Model Train Exhibition Continues at SLV Museum

The Jupiter On Display at the Smithsonian Museum of American History

The Model Train Exhibition displaying gauges O, HO, OO, N, and G continues at San Lorenzo Valley Museum through Oct 2nd. Some are working layouts and some are displays of a broad array of vintage cars plus modeling examples of buildings, trestles,  and signals.  

One display shows everything you need to build a model railroad layout from scratch.  Videos are being shown of garden trains and there is a special train area for children that is definitely 'Touch and Play'. 

A raffle is being held with a complete train set as first prize.  The locomotive is modeled after the Santa Cruz Jupiter, the full size locomotive on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.  Second prize is two admission tickets for Roaring Camp Steam Railroad.  Tickets are only $1 each, 6 for $5, 12 for $10, 18 for $15, etc.  Tickets are on sales at the SLV Museum, Boulder Creek Hardware, Joe's Bar, The Redwood Keg, Sincerely Yours, Office Connections, The Gilded Tattoo, and Liberty Bank.  Prize drawing will be on Sun, Oct 2.

Contact the SLV Museum for more info or to buy tickets at 831-338-8382. or visit the museum website: www.slvmuseum.com

SLV History To Be Made and Celebrated

The historical society E. Clampus Vitus Branciforte Chapter 1797 will be doing their thing on Saturday in Boulder Creek when they place an Historical Marker and time capsule at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.

If you've been to an ECV sponsored historical event you know what to expect. If you haven't ever participated you owe it to yourself to attend because they really are historical!

The plaque will be unveiled at 12:06pm and food, grilled by the infamous E. Clampus Vitus members, will be served at 12:30pm. All profits from the BBQ will be divided equally between the Museum and Valley Churches United Mission.

The time capsule will be embedded in the traditional pedestal and is scheduled to be opened in 2110. Locals are invited to place a business card or similar sized photo for the entertainment and edification of future generations.

Participation is free; donations are appreciated to cover the cost of the time capsule and archival materials.

San Lorenzo Valley Museum Home Page:

Author To Share Secrets About the SLV Flume

On Sunday February 27, 2011, at 3:00pm, the San Lorenzo Valley Museum will host a historical talk and book signing at Highlands Park Senior Center in Ben Lomond with Museum President Lisa Robinson.  Robinson will read from and discuss her newly released book The San Lorenzo Valley Flume.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the museum.  The event itself is free.

The flume carried lumber - and some adventurous fun seekers - from Boulder Creek to Felton prior to the arrival of the railroad.  The book explores the history of the flume, through construction diagrams, fascinating eye witness accounts, and rare photographs.

The location of the head of the flume, just north of Boulder Creek, was described in Charles E. Brimblecom’s 1875 diary, loaned to the Museum by Roberta Rocca, a Brimblecom descendant, and was a critical element that spurred the author to more thoroughly research the subject.

The book dispels some myths about the flume, talks about the people who financed it, built it, played on it, worked on it, and, eventually, tore it down. It examines flume construction methods and the challenges faced by those operating and maintaining the flume. 

Copies of the book The San Lorenzo Valley Flume are available for purchase at the Museum, on the Museum website (www.slvmuseum.com) and at local retail outlets.

SLV Artists Works on Display at County Building
The San Lorenzo Valley Museum is sponsoring an exhibition titled ‘Retrospect: an Exhibit of Art From the San Lorenzo Valley Artists of the Past’ currently on display at the Community Wall in the Santa Cruz County Government Bldg., 1^st floor, Ocean Street.

This exhibition consists of artwork from SLV artists from the turn of the century to contemporary and will be on display through the month of August.

Over 20 pieces by the following artists William Hyde Irwin (1903-1982), Barbara J. Winner (1927-2000), Anne Mary Locatelli (1909-1987), “Otto” John Holm (1929- ), Louise Grossett Cunningham (1881-1993), Grace Bonebrake Johnson (1869-1915), Rachel Bachrach (1929-1987), are on display.

According to Historical Commissioner and Museum Director Lynda Phillips "It is well worth the effort to come and step into the rich and colorful history of our past through our present, as rendered by artisans from the 1800’s through today."

LA Times on SLV Museum Surfboard Exhibit

The LA Times published a nice story about an exhibit at the SLV Museum (Highway 9 in Boulder Creek) that features a beautifully shaped and polished surfboard made from a Redwood plank.

In A Princely Link to Fame Times writer Steve Chawkins retells the story of how surfing arrived in Santa Cruz  "In 1885, three Hawaiian princes visiting Santa Cruz on a break from military school wowed the locals with, as a newspaper report put it, "interesting exhibitions of surf-board swimming as practiced in their native islands.""

The SLV link is provided by documents that suggest the Redwood used by the Hawaiians was harvested from a grove near what is now Brookdale.

"Big Trees to Surfboards - The Redwood Connection".  is a result of a partnership with the Museum and the Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society with support from Big Creek Lumber, Blythe Robinson, Boulder Creek Hardware, Beauregard Vineyards, City Signs, Cupcake Diva of Boulder Creek, North Glass, Redwood Pizza, Scarborough Lumber, Scopazzi's Restaurant, and Surfrider Cafe/Boulder Creek Brewery. Mark Shunney is the exhibition curator and designer.  The exhibit runs through April.
 
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