Over the years, as a newcomer to Petaluma (unless you are a 4th or 5th generation Petaluman, you’ll always be a “newcomer”), I was impressed by the historical information about Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, and especially Petaluma that columnists like Gaye LeBaron of the Press Democrat and Katie Watts of the Argus-Courier wrote about on a regular basis. Even Bill Soberanes, whose family members were Petaluma pioneers, included many tidbits of history in his columns for 49 years. The total efforts of these creative writers contributed to the appreciation of the local history by newcomers, like me.
It wasn’t too long before my wife, Connie, organized the Walking Tour Guides for the Petaluma Historic Downtown Business District in1995. After a few months of weekly study sessions and practice walks, about a dozen costumed volunteers launched a weekend program that is still being offered today, through the Petaluma Historical Museum and Library.
In due time, a few of these walking tour guides began to adopt the personas of prominent Petalumans from the late 1800s. Yours truly, became Mr. William Howard Pepper. Shortly, a new group of historical enthusiasts including Mrs. Addie Atwater, Mrs. John A. McNear (Clara), Mrs. George P. McNear (Ida Belle), Capt. Thomas Baylis, and Mr. Isaac Wickersham came together as the Petalumans of Yesteryear and participated in the Adult School’s class on Petaluma History. As members of the original group died or moved away, other newcomers stepped up to the plate and took their places. As we mover closer to the 150th Anniversary of Petalumas charter as an official city, this core group is inviting more Petalumans of Today to consider becoming Petalumans of Yesteryear. We have a web site: http://www.petalumaonline.com/thepetalumans/
Over the summer, we hope to plan a series of events and activities that will help contribute to our community becoming more aware of this special anniversary, that is being coordinated by the Petaluma Downtown Association and the Sesquicentennial Celebration Planning Committee. Any reader who might be interested in becoming a Petaluman of Yesteryear should contact this blogger at 762-6593 or e-mail whammer@petalumanet.org
“Remembering the Good Old Days” is one way to create a sense of community. This upcoming event is too good an opportunity to miss; so let’s all get ready to join the party.