This week’s Argus-Courier announced that The Petalumans of Yesteryears would be introduced as the “Grand Marshals” for the 2006 Butter & Egg Days parade, this Saturday. Who are these “characters” that compose this unique group of present day residents who have studied and adopted the personas of various historic residents of an earlier Petaluma? Are they “hysterical” or “historical” enthusiasts? Who are they, really?

On the front steps of the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum, tomorrow, you will meet the Petalumans of now, who pretend they lived way back then. You will meet: Capt. & Mrs. Thomas Baylis (Homer & Marcia Johnstone), Mrs. John A. McNear – Clara (Susan Coolidge), Mrs. George P. McNear – Ida Belle (Barbara Harden), Mrs. F.H. Atwater – Addie (Mildred King), and this blogger – Mr. William Howard Pepper.

On parade day, April 29 at noon, the Petalumans will ride in an old Model-A truck, provided by the Petaluma Coffee Company and driven by Gardner Bride. Give us a wave as we celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of the Carnegie Library located on the corner of B and 4^th Streets. The building served as the city’s library until 1976; then was re-opened as the Petaluma Historical Museum and Library in 1978. (Go back to Then & Now blog #7 for more information about this wonderful community resource, The Petaumans of Yesteryears.)

On Our Radar Screen: From time to time, we plan to highlight significant historical dates and events about our favorite river town. Remember, our City’s 150^th Anniversaryis only two years away. Stay tuned!