Old Monterey Foundation is pleased to continue its season of free events as part of the 2018 Lecture Series sponsored by The Marcia F. Devoe Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Join National Park Service Ranger Alejandra Iraheta for an engaging lecture about the African American Buffalo Soldiers and their connection to both the Presidio of Monterey and Presidio of San Francisco, as well as their extraordinary contributions to our nation in a time of overt racism and segregation. Participants will learn about some of the more prominent Buffalo Soldiers including Charles Young and William H. Thompkins. In addition, we will discuss how the actions of the Buffalo Soldiers here in the West Coast helped facilitate many freedoms we enjoy today, including taking a hike in your national park!

Bill Wojtkowski, President of the Old Monterey Foundation Board of Directors, will present a short overview of improvements accomplished and planned for the Lower Presidio Historic Park.

Thursday, July 19, 2018
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey
Free Admission – Reception to follow.

For more information about Old Monterey Foundation, call (831) 346-3030.

The lectures are very popular so attendees are urged to come early to secure a seat.

This lecture is suitable for ages 9 and up.

About Alejandra Iraheta

Alejandra Iraheta works as an Interpretive Park Ranger/Volunteer Coordinator for the National Park Service at the Presidio of San Francisco in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. She has been with the National Park Service since 2011 and has been leading Buffalo Soldier programs for the public since 2012. Alejandra holds a Bachelors’ degree in Ethnic Studies from Mills College and a Masters of Science in Resource Interpretation degree from Stephen F. Austin University. It was her passion for Ethnic Studies that led her to research and present interpretive programming on the Buffalo Soldiers. As a woman of color, Alejandra is an avid supporter for the advancement of communities of color and believes that stories like that of the Buffalo Soldiers are important as they illustrate the power of perseverance and hard work to inspire future generations.

With the weather warming, Old Monterey Foundation is resuming monthly Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking tours with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00am – Noon.

Old Monterey Foundation recently installed a monument sign on Pacific Street to make it even easier to find the park.

The next tour will be held Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 10:00am and will focus on the American/California period beginning in 1846. The American/California period includes the enactment of the first California Constitution in 1849 through the period when Fort Mervine was a coastal defense and cavalry post.

Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.

Advance reservations are required by contacting Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email.  The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and kids are $15 (10-15 years).  Group rates are also available.

About Tim Thomas

About the Lower Presidio Historic Park

The Battle of Monterey of 1818, a living-history re-enactment, will be held in Custom House Plaza Saturday, November 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Costumed early Spanish soldiers will defend the Custom House. The revolutionary Captain Bouchard will lead the charge as with cannons firing, his Tall Ship recreates the only land/sea battle on the West Coast, ever! The Argentinian privateer Bouchard’s attack is a revolutionary marker for the opening of California’s land and trade policies to the world with Mexico’s independence from the King of Spain.

Also featured in this year’s event will be the wise defense by Spanish Royal Governor Sola of his provincial capital of Alta California. Visitors will view the Spanish Empire’s flag taken down and the invaders hoisting the Argentine national flag. But Sola was able to return in a week and take back Monterey with no loss of local lives, The 1794 Royal Presidio Chapel, later to be known as San Carlos Cathedral, and its Heritage Center will both be open for visitors just one year short of the bicentennial of its survival of the burning of the Royal Presidio.

Mayor Clyde Roberson will open the day’s celebration at the Custom House. In 2016 he issued an official proclamation for the City Council declaring the year 2018 as the celebration of Bicentennial of the Battle of Monterey. It established Monterey’s Museum and Cultural Arts Commission as initiators of the celebration.

The Old Monterey Foundation is a partner for 2017 and other partnerships are being developed for the 2018 observances. November 18, 2017 will truly be a “pre-enactment” of the bicentennial celebration in 2018. The Tall Ship, “the Lady Washington” will be in the Monterey harbor as part of this year’s 2017 festivities. Educational events and re-enactments are being planned for 2018 exploring the 200th anniversary of this important event in local and U.S. history. Monterey has a unique set of historical buildings from the Spanish and the Mexican eras. The Battle of Monterey is the only battle in the war of independence of Spanish colonies from Spain to take place on the territory of what is now the United States of America. Monterey can be proud of its role as recorded in “The Burning of Monterey” by Peter Uhrowiczk and the “Patriot Pirate “ by Michael Melzer both available at the Monterey Public Library. Let’s celebrate!

For more information on how you may get involved, contact battleofmonterey@gmail.com.

Old Monterey Foundation continues to team up with noted Monterey Bay historian and author, Tim Thomas, who offers outstanding “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours” on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 AM – Noon.

The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017:   “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour: Focus on Saint Junipero Serra”.  Learn more about the history of Father Serra in Monterey County as well as the Serra statue at the park.

Tours meet in front of the City of Monterey’s Presidio of Monterey Museum, 113 Corporal Ewing, Building #113. From Monterey, take Pacific Street past the Monterey Conference Center and the First Theater to the end of Pacific where it forks, take the left fork;, turn left onto Artillery Road, turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it a short way to the Presidio of Monterey Museum in the center of the Park against the hill; from Pacific Grove, take Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey, bear right to go onto Pacific Street and then go to Artillery Road, turn right, and then turn right on Corporal Ewing Road and follow it to the Presidio of Monterey Museum.

Advance reservations are required by calling Tim Thomas at (831) 521-3304 or via email timsardine@yahoo.com.  The tour is for ages 10-adult only and the cost is $20 for adults and kids are $15 (10-15 years).  Group rates are also available.

About Tim Thomas

About the Lower Presidio Historic Park

For the fourth year, Old Monterey Foundation is pleased to continue its free lecture events as part of its 2017 Lecture Series sponsored by The Marcia F. Devoe Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf: Past, Present & Future

Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf has seen bales of Chinese silks and barrels of Spanish wine, whaling ships, Navy cutters, and fishing boats by the score; Fisherman’s Wharf, in its various incarnations, has been the focus of Monterey’s economic life for centuries.

Based on a 2016 study by the Monterey County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf is the #1 destination for visitors to our region. Enjoy a great presentation about Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf including its more than 100 years of history.

In her fascinating presentation, Monterey native Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis, immediate Past President and current Board Member of Fisherman’s Wharf Association, who grew up at her father’s restaurant on the Wharf, will discuss:

• Key historic highlights at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf over the past 100 years
• Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf today
• Whalefest Monterey
• Other happenings at Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf

She will also show many historic photos of Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf.

Bill Wojtkowski, President of the Old Monterey Foundation Board of Directors, will present a short overview of improvements planned for the Lower Presidio Historic Park.

Thursday, October 19, 2017 – 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey
Free Admission – Reception to follow

For more information, call (831) 346-3030.
The lectures are very popular so attendees are urged to come early to secure a seat.
This lecture is suitable for ages 9 and up.

 About the Presenter: Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis

Mary Alice Cerrito Fettis is a dedicated community leader.  She currently serves on the Fisherman’s Wharf Association Board of Directors as immediate Past  President and is Chair of the annual Whalefest Monterey event held on the Wharf. She is Past President and serves on the Board of Directors of the North Fremont Business District, and is a member of Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association. She serves on the Boards of Advisors for the Hellenic Cultural Institute and the Merienda Committee. She is Past Co-Chair of La Merienda, Past Board member, Monterey History & Art Association, Past Board member Hellenic Cultural Institute, and Past President Monterey County Hospitality Association.

Mary Alice was born and raised in Monterey and graduated from Santa Catalina School and received her BA and MAT from Santa Clara University. As an international charter flight attendant, Mary Alice traveled to over 45 countries which gave her a broad view of life. She managed the family restaurant, banquet, and entertainment businesses and was also a real estate agent with Pan American Real Estate over 25 years. Currently, she is a real estate property manager representing family interests. Mary Alice is married to Nick Fettis who composes, plays, and tunes pianos.