The California Historical Society celebrated
forty years as the State’s official historical society at its annual Gala, with
more than 200 guests coming together to honor the person responsible for its
official designation, the Honorable Edmond G. Brown, Jr.
The Gala took place exactly 40 years to the day, when on May 9, 1979, then Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 63, authored by Senator Jim Mills, which established the California Historical Society as the official state historical society. It is just one example of the exemplary leadership, vision and fortitude demonstrated by Governor Brown throughout his more than forty years of public service.
“Time and again, regardless of his title, governor, mayor, or attorney
general, Governor Brown demonstrated his unique his ability to work alongside
Democrats and Republicans in the legislature to be an important steward of
California, its people and policies to build a brighter, lasting future,” said
Michael Sangiocomo, Board Chair, California Historical Society. “We are honored to pay tribute to Governor
Brown’s life-long accomplishments and applaud the legacy he has left the Golden
State.”
The Governor was given a standing ovation and presented a special gift on behalf of the Historical Society that was a special book made for him about the history of his maternal grandfather, Evan Brown, that included rare photos and never-before-known biographical information unearthed by archivists.
Sponsors of the Gala include Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Annenberg Foundation, Diane B. Wilsey, Recology, Anthea M. Hartig and Family, AT&T, Ralph Walter and Dorothy Fleisher. Proceeds from the Gala support California Historical Society programming and youth history education.
The Gala took place exactly 40 years to the day, when on May 9, 1979, then Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 63, authored by Senator Jim Mills, which established the California Historical Society as the official state historical society. It is just one example of the exemplary leadership, vision and fortitude demonstrated by Governor Brown throughout his more than forty years of public service.
“Time and again, regardless of his title, governor, mayor, or attorney
general, Governor Brown demonstrated his unique his ability to work alongside
Democrats and Republicans in the legislature to be an important steward of
California, its people and policies to build a brighter, lasting future,” said
Michael Sangiocomo, Board Chair, California Historical Society. “We are honored to pay tribute to Governor
Brown’s life-long accomplishments and applaud the legacy he has left the Golden
State.”
The
highlight of the evening was an intimate conversation with Governor Brown that
was moderated by Professor Bill Deverell, Director, Huntington-USC Institute on
California and the West, and Miriam Pawel, Author, The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty that Transformed a State
and Shaped a Nation. Professor Deverell and Ms. Pawel engaged the Governor about
a myriad of issues, including his insights about his legacy, his favorite
California past times, personal reflections and his outlook for the future.
“We are here tonight trying to see the relationship between the past and
how that past informs the present,” Governor Brown said. “The past is a very rich source of ideas,
values, our whole existence, our whole identity. How do we both begrudge the
past but be open and resilient and ready to the changes that are occurring at a
very accelerating rate.”
A distinguished group of leaders in business, education, government, and
philanthropy came together to plan and support the Gala in honoring the
Governor and one of California’s true civic legends, in one of the West’s most
significant historic buildings, the Old U.S. Mint.
The
Honorary co-chairs for the event were George P. and Charlotte M. Shultz, Mayor
London Breed, John Laird, Greg Lucas, Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris, Mayor Libby
Schaaf, Mrs. Kevin Starr, Richard C. Blum, the Honorable Dianne Feinstein and
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. The Chair of the Host Committee was CHS
Trustee Linda Elliott.
Sponsors of the Gala include Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Annenberg Foundation, Diane B. Wilsey, Recology, Anthea M. Hartig and Family, AT&T, Ralph Walter and Dorothy Fleisher. Proceeds from the Gala support California Historical Society programming and youth history education.
Enjoy the following photographs from our Gala evening at the Old U.S. Mint.
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