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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02021993 - S.2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: Contra Sunne Wright McPeak Costa DATE: February 2 , 1993 County SUBJECT: Request from Contra Costa County Historical Society SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION• Refer to County Administrator the request of the Contra Costa Historical Society for additional space to operate The History Center provided there. is no significant impact on the county budget. BACKGROUND: Betty Maffei of the Contra Costa County Historical Society and Director of the Contra Costa History Center submitted the attached letter requesting the county to allocate additional space to the Center for its expanding archives and for more than 15 volunteers to have much needed room to work. Ms. Maffei has suggested a room ( 4B) across the hall from the 625 square foot _ school room they have used since 1984. The Contra Costa History Center provides the county with a valuable service. Many community organizations and public entities ( including our county departments) utilize its services. Currently, the Center' s volunteers are working on indexing all of Contra Costa' s court documents prior to 1911 free of charge. The Board of Supervisors in 1979 declared the Contra Costa County Historical Society the official ,organization to preserve and protect the history of our county. The Society has done an excellent job in filling-this responsibility and are now deserving of our consideration of this request if there is not a significant impact on the budget. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AYES: NOES: AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN ABSENT: ABSTAIN: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISOR ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED 1,7,73 Phil atchelor, Clerk of the§oard of Contact: Karen N,itcizoff Supaiviwsand County AdministratDi 4 M9R7/7.R9 BY , DEPUTY costa �, RECEIVED °4 JAN — 7 1993 U ,, Ans'd........... POST OFFICE BOX 821 , CONCORD. CALIFORNIA 94522 January 5, 1993 t°tical sec The Honorable Sunne Wright McPeak Supervisor District Four 2301 Stanwell Drive Concord, CA 94520 Dear Supervisor McPeak: In 1979 the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County declared our organization to be the official society to preserve and protect the history of Contra Costa County. Our mem- bers and Board of Directors have since taken that responsibility to be a very serious one. In 1984 we opened The History Center with the Louis L Stein Collection - the largest such collection ever given to a private library. Our founders, Louis L.Stein and the late Jus- tice A. F. Bray dreamed that this society would become a professional primary source re- search facility. That dream is coming true. All we lack is space. Since the gift of the Stein Collection we have received more than 500 accessions. We have acquired more than 15 professional volunteers who give of their expertise without pay on a daily basis. This group includes professional archivists, archaeologists, computer con- sultants, geologists, historians, photographic experts, authors and teachers. More than 300 of your constituents are paid members of this society. All are vitally interested in its future. Our latest acquisition is the personal and professional papers of Sheriff R.R.Veale. Over 60 cartons covering a 50 year span in the daily life of an important leader in our county. Mary Ellen Jones, a professional archivist with the Bancroft Library at the University of California will supervise the cataloging of these documents so they may be used by scholars and researchers. Few counties can boast of such a prize. All of this is being done in the same 625 square feet you allocated to us in 1984. We oc- cupy a very small schoolroom,which no longer adequately holds 15 volunteers and hundreds of boxes of precious historical materials. We have requested room 4B across from our existing office and were told it is to be used for storage. Over the past year we have been working with the Office of Administrative Courts to cre- ate an up to date program for the preservation of Court Records. Their directive is to save all paper documents prior to 1911. We commend County Clerk Steve Weir for his decision to save certain document books and have agreed to index the collection for him. We have O R G A N I Z E D APRIL 30 1 9 5 1 GOsta, cpl? POST OFFICE BOX 821 . CONCORD, CALIFORNIA 94522 r�cal so offered to do this in our capacity as official historians for the County. Yet when we request more space we are told we are not a county responsibility and there is no space available in any county building. Should the county ever have to turn to paid professionals for these mandated services the cost will be much greater than that of unused office space. I ask that the Board of Supervisors consider this plea. We need more space and we believe that with your help space can be found. Without our efforts the twenty-two Town Societies,State and National Parks and Recreation Departments have no help in preserving their histories. For a detailed look at our current responsibilities and activities please read very carefully the enclosed page. I think you will agree that our accomplishments are remarkable given the meager aid we have received We invite you to visit The History Cen- ter and see for yourselves the exciting work that goes on here. We know how busy your schedules are -still we hope to see you soon. The history of our county is an important part of California's story and as a member of the Board of Supervisors you area permanent part of our future and our history. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Betty Maffei Director, Contra Costa County History Center Enclosure. O R G A N I Z E D APRIL 30 1 9 5 1 • ''. .' , .. . . _ a r, t .� CURRENT PROJECTS OF THE HISTORY CENTER • THE LOUIS L.STEIN COLLECTION:thousands of court records,photographs and negatives from the earliest days of Contra Costa County's history. They are currently being transcribed and indexed into a computer database for easy access. • THE LES SIPES PHOTOGRAPHS:19,000 photos and negatives taken by the late Les Sipes,Oakland Tribune photographer and reporter. These items are being indexed and prepared for entry into a computer database for easy access to authors,publishers,scholars and students of our history. • THE GUY SPENCER COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS • CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION aerial photographs and maps. • THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TIMES NEGATIVES FROM 1960 to the present • THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PHOTO COLLECTION over 2,000 photographs and negatives from that department. • THE DOROTHY MUTNICK PAPERS author of"Alta California,its Pioneers and Descendants"her original manuscripts,notes and all copyrights from the late Ms.Mutnick. • THE R.R.VEALE COLLECTION given by his grandson Frank Bray.Sixty cartons of one man's life in our county. Adaily record spanning two wars,the Great Depression,prohibition,the 1906 earthquake, the scandals in Sacramento. Sheriff Veal made it his business to know almost every manwoman and child in this county, the law abiding citizen and the criminal all knew his name. He kept every letter he ever received as well as copies of every letter he wrote. Such a collection seldom comes even once in a lifetime to any group of historians. WHO USES THE HISTORY CENTER? • Contra Costa County Public Works Department • Contra Costa County Administrative Offices • National Park Researchers • County Park Researchers and Planners • Cal Trans • Archaeologists • Anthropologists • Geologists • Librarians • Genealogists • Ecology researchers • Law Offices • County School Districts(The Third Grade Curriculum in Community History is provided by us.) • High School and College Students(Copies of several papers researched in our library are on file with us) • The Contra Costa Times,reporters and researchers • Authors,too numerous to mention have used our facilities to research histories about our county. Page 3 ,.�. .� � r.( r\ ', ' S"9 + .y '♦ ' K4 'k �t t ro 5 .:2" ;.K L t :t . 4 ' t DATE: . - 3 REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM (THREE (3) MINUTE LIMIT) Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board. NAME: ' �//�,. 1-4 PHONE: ��`/-91 S Z� ADDRESS: / PJ ?e Cmr: 4/, (2- I , (2-- I am speaking formyself OR organization: Coe .�i�7o (NAME OF. ORGANIZATION) Check one: I wish to speak on Agenda Item # My comments will be: general 5.-,- for against I wish to speak on the subject of AZI s7 7 �� �e ,, r-- I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider. SPEAKERS 1. Deposit the "Request to Speak" form (on the reverse side) in the box next to the speakers' microphone before your item is to be considered. 2. You will be called to make your presentation. Please speak into the microphone. 3. Begin by stating your name and address: whether you are speaking for yourself or as a representative of an organization. 4. Give the Clerk a copy of your presentation or support documentation, if available. 5. Please limit your presentation to three minutes. Avoid repeating comments made by previous speakers. (The Chair may limitIength of presentations so all persons may be heard.) .R w ' °.' IN THE BOARD OF SUPEI:VISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUN'.CY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA In-it' Matter of Appointing ) RESOLUTION NO. 79/932 An'-;Official Historical Society ) — WHEREAS it appears that the rapid and continuing population ingrease in Contra Costa County brings thousands of new resident's who are unf}miliar with the County's colorful historical heritage, dating back to the e :. or�kinal exploration of this area by Captain Pedro Fages 200 years ago; and WHEREAS the Board of Supervisors of this County from time to tiTd`^has need of the counsel. and '.1dVJ.ce of l.uc.t I. 11iM:O17l<'t1S on County historical gtiest ions; and WHEREAS this County 'has need from time to time fora source of, owledgeable historical information to answer inquiries received on County history and the pioneers who lived here; and WHEREAS occasional public historical_ events, which call for local observance or celebration, would be facilitated by the availability of V olunteer services of a stable and. experienced group of historyi oriented citizens; �;,.. and k WHEREAS the Contra Costa County Historical Society, a not–for– gSofit California corporation with members throughout this County, has agreed to �r lunteer its services as may be needed in all these matters; NOW, 'THEREFORE, BE IT BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY i O :?CONTRA COSTA, CALIFORNIA, RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Historical Ciety is considered a valued historical resource of volunteer services, and these .presents is hereby designated as the Official Historical Society of `antra Costa County, California; and BE IT BY THE BOARD FURTHER RESOLVED that, as the need may be r--ft er determined, the Boar,! ,f Eupr�rvP_sors, or its delegated representatives, may take volunteer counsel of the Contra Costa County 1listorical Society in j, matters relating to the history and heritage of this County;'' and BE IT BY THE: BOARD FURTHER RESOLVED that, as the need may be :Hereafter determined, the Contra Costa County Historical Sodiety;may be called capon to lend such volunteer assistance and aid as the Board may request in :,"public events celebrating or relating to County history; and said Society is :`Hereby commended for its public spirit_ and dedication. to advancing the knowledge =and appreciation of locus. history, 17 PASSED AND ADOPTED thislI._t.._h day of September,, 1979• i% I HEREBY CERTIFY that theforegoing is a true and correct copy. ., , f a Resolution entered on the minur_es of said Board of Supervisors on the '? date aforesaid. and t'l c ^1 of the ]3oai:d of Supervisors affixed this .. _IIt_h clay of September .1979. >`� cc : Contra Cosl;ji Cuu,j1cy ,Nj Historical Society c/o l 11 Oj, SONClexk County Administrator ' County Librarian County Clerk 1j Deputy Clerk -nr! nsr INFORMATION SHEEP - COUNTY HISTORY CENTER (Contra Costa County Historical Society) In 1979 the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County declared the Contra Costa County Historical Society the official society to represent the history of Contra Costa County. In 1984 the County History Center opened with the Louis L. Stein collection, the largest collection ever to be given to a private historical society. Since 1984 the dream of the founders , Louis L. Stein and the late Justice A. F. Bray, has grown into a reality - a history center that is a professional primary source research facility for the county. Over 500 accessions have been received in the eight years of operation at 1700 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill. These accessions range from one photograph or book to several cartons of historical material. They include 19,000 photographs and negatives taken by the late Les Sipes , Oakland Tribune photographer and reporter ; the Guy Spencer collection of photographs; the Contra Costa County Soil Conservation aerial photographs and maps ; the Contra Costa County Times negatives from 1960 to present ; over 2,000 photographs and negatives from the Contra Costa County Sheriff 's Department; and the papers , notes and copyrights of books by the late Dorothy Mutnick, author and researcher. Recently the R. R. Veale collection of papers was given to us by Veale 's grandson Frank Bray. Sixty cartons of one man's life - the history of Contra Costa County during forty years of county service as sheriff. Depression times , Prohibition, war , county growth - all are filed as Veale kept them in his office. P•?ary-Ellen Jones , a member of our society and a professional archivist at Bancroft Library will supervise the cataloguing of these documents so--as to put them in use for researchers. Our facility is used by archaeologists, anthropologists , geologists , librarians , genealogists , architects, and en- gineers as well as professional researchers for Cal Trans, developers , law offices and the Contra Costa County Adminis- trative offices. Teachers of third graders in the county use our curriculum, slides and scripts for their community history programs and fourth graders study California and Contra Costa County history with the help of volunteers from our archives. High school and college students are given our address by their instructors to research papers and projects. Vie occupy a schoolroom provided by the County with approxi- mately 625 square feet of space. There are fifteen volun- teers , most of them professionals , who keep the Center open daily. However , we have no more room for work or collections. We asked for a room at the Oak Park Center across from our existing office and were told it is to be used for storage. Over the past year we have been working with the Office of Administrative Courts to form the latest program for the preservation of court records. The directive is to save all paper documents prior to 1911. We commend County Clerk Steve Weir on his decision to save certain document books and have agreed to index the collection for him, thus pre- serving more of our county's history. Yet we are told we are not a county responsibility and therefore there is no space available in a county building. Without our efforts the twenty-two town societies, State and National Parks and Recreation departments have no help in preserving their histories. Information on preservation and convery ation is available in our office and historical societies as well as city officials take advantage of our workshops. Acid-free materials are available for purchase from us that are not available in small quantities to the public. Without the County History Center the work in many county offices would increase. Resources from the sale of photo copies , maps , books and papers as well as research fees help pay for acid-free materials needed to preserve these priceless , non-replaceable histories and historical materials. They also pay for the alarm system, computer , copy machine , typewriters and office supplies.