A 6 panel fold out brochure that describes the exhibits in the Historical Caravan of the California Centennials Commission in 1949 and 1950. With comments by Governor Earl Warren.





From the California Digital Newspaper Collection
Historical Caravan Tells Story of 100 Years Of California History; Busses Arrive Aug. 20 The story of California a chronicle that goes back four centuries to the “age of exploration” and spotlights succeeding epochal events that shaped the destiny of the “Golden State”— has been put on wheels in an Historical Caravan. This travelling museum has been put on wheels in an Historical Caravan. This travelling museum has been driven during 1949 and 1950 from Mexico to Oregon and from the eastern slope of the Sierra to the Pacific Ocean, and on Sunday and Monday, August 20-21, the caravan is scheduled to arrive in Sausalito. Assembled by the California Centennials Commission as a key feature of its three-year commorative program, the Caravan consists of a priceless collection of original documents and objects that highlight a series of fourteen exhibit sections, each dealing with a specific period in the state’s colorful history. DRAKE'S PLATE The rare historical items, ranging from a brass plate Francis Drake affixed on California’s shores in 1579 to the gold spike that linked the first transcontinental railroad, are being taken around the state in two specially constructed steel buses. These buses are so designed as to form a single display unit when being viewed by the public. Visitors enter the Caravan through an awning covered ramp, pass through one bus into another without alighting, and finally exit down a second ramp. An arourtd-the-clock detail of State Police is assigned the responsibility of safeguarding the exhibit pieces. When on location, this guard is supplemented by cooperating local police authori- ties and fire departments. While travelling from one city to another, the impressive white, blue and gold buses will be escorted by a detail of the State Highway Patrol. UNDER GUARD Latest scientific devices assuring maximum theft and fire protection are installed within the buses. These include automatically actuated as well as manually operated fire extinguishing equipment. Selection and arrangement of the exhibits in the fourteen panels were supervised by two wellknown historians, Dr. Aubrey Neasham, regional historian of the National Park Service, and a resident of Sausalito, and Carroll D. Hall, curator of Sutter’s Fort Historical Museum, Sacramento. The historical objects and documents were loaned to the Commission by more than twenty universities, museums, libraries, official archives and private individuals in various parts of the country. RARE ITEMS Among the rare items visitors to the Caravan will see are: the diary of Don Caspar de Portola, Father Junipero Serra’s personal bible, the bill of sale that transferred ownership of Fort Ross from Russian commercial interests to Capt. John A. Sutter, the first book and the first newspaper to be printed in California, a proclamation that called for the establishment of a California Republic and another that Commodore Sloat issued when raising the Stars and Stripes over the Custom House at Monterey in 1846, the only existing survivor of the Donner Party tragedy—a doll. Also, a drawing made by James W. Marshall after he discovered gold a century ago in which he personally recorded that memorable event, the diary of a 49er, Mark Twain’s first book, the manuscript of a poem by Bret Harte, the roster signed by delegates to the First Constitutional Convention, and the silver hammer used with the famous gold spike at Promontory on May 10, 1869. HISTORICAL PERIOD There are also many early daguerreotypes and lithographs, mining implements, trade items, pony express mail, receipts for gold dust, coins, famous letters and other documents. The historical periods covered by the Caravan are: the era of exploration, Spanish colonization, Russian settlements, Mexican period, the Bear Flag revolt, acquisition of California by the United States, westward immigration, Marshall’s discovery of gold, the Gold Rush, early mining methods, life in the mines, California’s admission as the 31st State, development of transportation and communication and the preserving of California’s history. AIMED FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN In planning the Historical Caravan’s itinerary, a primary consideration of the Commission was to make the exhibit particularly available to as many schools as possible. In addition to appearances open to the genera! public, special showings will be given at educational institutions. REPORTS HEARD Progress reports on many phases of Association operation j were submitted by T. Fred Bagshaw, president Supervisors Unit, relating to State Highway construction, negotiations and legislation; C. A. Veale, chairman Transportation Committee; Budget Chairman Harold Eckart; Events Committee Chairman Clifford Bartlett; Vice - Presidents Dan Gallagher, August Brucker, Lilburn Kirkpatrick, W. J. Thomas, Florence Workman. Others in attendance included Directors Ted Huggins, Ralph E. Minahen, James F. Albright, the general manager and Attorney Elliott M. Epsteen. PARK CLOSING FIGHT ON Success of an Association campaign in opposition to closing of State Monuments two days a week was reported by E. R. Freyer, chairman State Parks Committee. As a result of arguments made before the State Park Commission, General Warren T. Hannum, director of State Department of Natural Resources, informed the REA recently that the Commission had moved to operate the monuments on a sixday week during 1950-51, with the possibility of seven-day operation during the summer. Activity in opposition to transfer of Curator R. R. Emparan, grandson of General Mariano Vallejo, from Sonoma to Sacramento was also reported. The Aviation Unit gave details of aeronautic activity in the Empire—such as Empire Air Tour in June, with more than 50 private planes participating; closing of Landing Aids Experiment Station pear Areata; a new airport at 'Garberville; Federal funds for public airports; and other matters.