Category Archives: Events

Events

Battle of Monterey Living History Re-enactment Saturday, November 18

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.

hipolito_bouchardThe 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.

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Events

Wander the Wonders of Monterey History: Grand Opening Ceremony for Lower Presidio Historic Park Saturday, November 11, 2017

Old Monterey Foundation cordially invites the community to the special “Wander the Wonders of Monterey History: Grand Opening Ceremony for the Lower Presidio Historic Park”, located at 76th Artillery Street and Corporal Ewing Road in Monterey on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The ceremony, which will include a ribbon cutting, will highlight the recently completed and installed eight new interpretive signs, a white wooden perimeter fence, and two new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible pathways as part 1 of the development of the park, the Harbor Trail which extends to the Serra Monument and the Bay View Trail that goes up the hill to the Sloat Monument.

There will be live entertainment including a performance by an award-winning bagpiper, Pipe Major Michel D’Avenas, free slices of the Lower Presidio Historic Park Cake and beverages. After the ceremony, the public is invited to walk the new pathways and see the beautiful new interpretive signs. Get out your walking shoes, strollers, walkers and wheelchairs to now start to fully enjoy this great park with exquisite views of the Monterey Bay.

The ceremony will include (final list to be confirmed) City of Monterey representatives, Defense Language Institute (DLI) and Army representatives, and representatives from the Neighborhood Improvement Program, the Rotary Club of Monterey, the Ohlone/ Costanoan-Esselen Nation, Granite Construction, and Old Monterey Foundation’s Board.

The ceremony will take place at the concrete pad just below the Saint Serra monument (across from the Presidio of Monterey Museum).

Many local organizations have played an important role in the development of this project including Old Monterey Foundation in the lead role, the Neighborhood Improvement Program, City of Monterey, Rotary Club of Monterey, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the Cannery Row Business Association, the Saucito Land Company, the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, Union Bank, Thayer Construction Company, Monterey Signs, and Granite Construction. Major funding for the cost of the trails was provided by the City of Monterey’s Neighborhood Improvement Program.

For more information, call (831) 346-3030

Events, News and Announcements

Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation Supports LPHP

As Chairman of the Lower Presidio Historic Park Committee for the Old Monterey Foundation, I was invited to attend the Annual Gathering of the Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation (OCEN) on August 12 at the Park. The City permits this group (and only this group) to camp out at the Park for this four-day event, which is held annually. About 150 members (out of an estimated 600) were in attendance, some in traditional tribal garb, and that Saturday was the focal event of the Gathering, with tri-tip barbecue and a feast at 2 pm.

I expected to simply sit at a table to pass out brochures about our Phase I Plan for the LPHP, but Louise Miranda Ramirez, Tribal Chairwoman of OCEN, introduced me to the Gathering and invited me to speak. I described our Plan and solicited questions and comments in about a 30 minute presentation. The OCEN considers the Lower Presidio to be sacred ancestral land and the comments I received were of concern that we treat the land with due respect. I described our designs for trails and signs that would not penetrate the earth or in any way disturb the evidence from the past 10,000 years which is buried in the ground at LPHP.

I am pleased to report that the response from the members was positive and supportive of our efforts. We also talked about celebrating our local Native Americans at a festival to be sponsored by OMF sometime next year. It is unfortunate that our local tribes are not better known among the citizens of Monterey and Monterey County, but hopefully the work of the Old Monterey Foundation will begin to rectify that situation. They were here long before European explorers arrived and deserve proper historic recognition in our community.

I was also struck by the strong sense of injustice the members feel about not being among the federally recognized tribes in California. They were once so recognized, beginning in 1883 as the San Carlos Band of Mission Indians, and later as the Monterey Band of Monterey County. The discovery in 1905 that 18 treaties between California Indians and the U.S. had never been ratified by the U.S. Senate, led to the Monterey Band being formally recognized in 1906. Unfortunately, the Monterey Band and OCEN were erroneously dropped from the list of federally recognized tribes in 1923. Compared to many other California tribes who ere compensated with land grants from the Federal Government, OCEN has only been offered the paltry sum of less than $1,000 for the loss of many million acres of land to American settlers. This injustice is still paramount in the minds of members of OCEN.

I was followed in my talk by Col. Laurence Brown, Commandant of the Presidio, and then by Senator Bill Monning. Although the day was a bit chilly and overcast, a good time was had by all.
For more information about OCEN, go to http://www.ohlonecostanoanesselennation.org .

Events

Free Lecture on “Ninety Years of Key Decisions to Preserve Monterey’s History” Thursday, August 24

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.

AT A GLANCE:

What:  “Ninety Years of Key Decisions to Preserve Monterey’s History”

Monterey, described as California’s most historic city, has been preserved through the impassioned e­fforts of its surrounding community. Individuals, organizations and governments have all played a role in its preservation. Join us for this discussion by community leaders who have participated in many of these achievements and challenges.

Following the lecture, Larry Chavez, President of Monterey History and Art Association (MHAA) will give a brief overview of the future of MHAA. 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.

When: Thursday, August 24, 2017 – 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Where: Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey

About the Presenters

Kip Hudson (2)xx

Kip Hudson

Since 1968, Kip has been involved with community organizations and city government including the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Leadership Monterey Peninsula, Old Monterey Foundation, Monterey Planning Commission and MHAA. She has also been a consultant and facilitator for non-profit boards and government groups, working on organizational issues.

Mary Wright 1

Mary Wright

Mary has lived in Monterey County since 1976. She retired from a 25-year career with California State Parks as the Chief Deputy Director and was the District Superintendent of the Monterey District. Mary has served on the California Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Lands, The Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Save the Redwoods League and is past chair of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

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 Old Monterey Foundation

Events

Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours to focus on the Indigenous Tribes Saturday, August 19

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, August 19, 2017:   “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour:  Focus on the Indigenous Tribes”. Tim Thomas will discuss the indigenous tribes who lived on the Central Coast of California and on the Lower Presidio Historic Park. For over 5000 years, this area was inhabited by the Rumsien/Ohlone.  The Rumsien were the first to be seen and documented by the Spanish explorers of Northern California, as noted by Sebastian Vizcaíno when he reached Monterey in 1602.

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 $15 for kids (10-15 years).  Group rates are also available.

About Tim Thomas

About the Lower Presidio Historic Park

Events

Old Monterey Foundation Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tours Resume Saturday, May 20, 2017 to focus on the American/California Period Beginning in 1846

With the weather turning sunny much of the time now, Old Monterey Foundation has resumed the monthly Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking tours with noted Monterey Bay historian and author Tim Thomas, on the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Old Monterey Foundation recently installed a monument sign on Pacific Street to make it even easier to find the park.

The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017:   “Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour:   Focus on American/California period beginning in 1846. The American/California period began in 1846, including 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 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 $15 for kids $15 (10-15 years).  Group rates are also available. 

About the Lower Presidio Historic Park

About Tim Thomas

View from Lower Presidio Historic Park (3)xx

Events

Lower Presidio Historic Park Walking Tour November 19th

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. On Saturday, November 19th, the Walking Tour will be held from 10 am – 11 am, and then attendees can watch the Hippolyte Bouchard Flag Raising Ceremony and Historic Re-enactment event from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Tim’s Walking Tour will finish up from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

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