Real Rural Launch Party

Tuesday, January 31, 2012  5:00 – 7:00pm


Real Rural Launch Party

Free Event at the California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco

The Bill Lane Center for the American West and Roots of Change are proud to announce the launch of journalist and photographer Lisa Hamilton's innovative multimedia project "Real Rural" — bringing California's rural life to the state's urban public. Hamilton's portraits of people and places, along with surprising, provocative quotes from the subjects, will be featured on BART trains throughout the Bay Area beginning in late January, and on an interactive web site.  The California Historical Society will mount a related exhibition this fall of Hamilton's photographs shown in conjunction with relevant materials from the California Historical Society's vast collection.  Join us to see a preview of the project and meet Lisa Hamilton. RSVP to rsvp@calhist.org or 415.357.1848, ext. 229.

Working Landscapes, Working Waterscapes: Appropriate Uses on Public Lands

Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

Discussion with beverages and hors d’oeuvres served.

Free Event at the California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco

The panel will reflect on the Drake's Bay story and controversy over the Oyster Farm’s continuation, but more importantly use it as a way to think about a larger question: how can we build a consensus, a movement even -- across sectors -- that could change the ways we think about and manage cultural and working landscapes within parks, natural areas, and wildernesses? Is there a fundamental shift in the ways we think about nature, people, ecology, and environmental history coming and how do we conceptualize it and solidify it to become better stewards of our public lands?  The panel will be moderated by award-winning journalist Jon Christensen, currently the Executive Director of the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University with panelists Richard Walker, author of The Country in the City: The Greening of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Kelly Cash, Environmental Consultant; along with invited representatives of the National Park Service. RSVP to rsvp@calhist.org or 415.357.1848, ext. 229.

California Historical Society Collections at the Autry National Center

Saturday, January 21, 2012, 3:00 p.m.

California Historical Society Collections at the Autry National Center

Tour and Reception

Free Event for California Historical Society members held at the Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles

California Historical Society members are invited to a special tour of the Romance Gallery at the Autry National Center of the American West. Curators will introduce you to four pieces of iconic art from the California Historical Society collections currently on view at the Autry. Meet the California Historical Society’s new Executive Director and board members in a post-tour reception. Reservations required. RSVP to rsvp@calhist.org or 415.357.1848, ext. 229. 

Story of an Oyster

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.


Oyster farming discussion


Free Event at the California Historical Society, 678 Mission Street, San Francisco


Ever wonder what it takes for an oyster to make it to your plate? Join us for an evening with Nancy and Kevin Lunny, owners of the Drakes Bay Oyster Company. They will share the many facets of oyster farming in Drakes Estero, including its history, culture and ecology, research and education at the farm, and the ABCs of how an oyster is grown. For the story of the oyster after it leaves the farm, Christian Caiazzo, chef and owner of Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes Station, will share his perspective as a chef and commitment to using local and organic ingredients at his restaurant.  RSVP to rsvp@calhist.org or 415.357.1848, ext. 229.

Oyster Farm exhibition extended through January 31, 2012

The California Historical Society hosts the exhibit Oyster Farm: Photographs of the Drakes Bay Oyster Company, featuring the documentary photography of artist Evvy Eisen. Discussing Oyster Farm, Evvy Eisen explains, “I set out to photograph the workers at the Drakes Bay Oyster Company because they are part of our community, though few of us have ever seen them or understand what they do. They stood before my camera, with dignity and patience. Their portraits communicate information specific to these individuals, but also illuminate essential aspects of the universal human condition.” Eisen’s photographs are accompanied by pieces of ephemera and other materials from the rich collections of the California Historical Society. 


The California Historical Society's gallery is open from 12pm to 5pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays. The gallery will be closed on December 24th and December 31st.  

Happy New Year!

Annual Duck Festival on the shores of Lake Merritt, Oakland, staged each New Year's Day.

Photographer: Unknown. 1923. Silver gelatin print. CHS2010.442.tif