This will be a brief report as there isn’t a lot of real new information to report this month as we are ending a slow period and haven’t yet started to uncover from our Christmas nap.
We have a few requests that will be reviewed at our meeting at the Discovery of Gold weekend. One is for the replacement of CHRL plaque #167 in the city of Vernon. This plaque commemorates the Battle of La Mesa on January 9, 1847 which was the last battle of the Mexican-American War. Another request is from Yosemite Conservancy for support in the construction of a traditional American Indian roundhouse at the site of the Wahhoga Village. This was part of the last Indian settlement of Yosemite Valley. This particular project is ready to go.
The above two requests show that the HPF continues to be a statewide player in the field of California history. Unfortunately there is nothing new to report concerning support for three of California State Parks as they are still in a holding pattern.
As the HPF continues to grow and thrive some of our activities are base hits or home runs, some not. But the net result is that the influence of the Native Sons is spreading in a positive manner. As I stated in a previous report, the Native Sons of the Golden West’s name is gold to many in the historical world. It is our brand and it adds to the notoriety of the Native Sons. If you don’t believe the gold statement, next time you are at an historical presentation or event, let the organizers know you are with the Native Sons and watch the reaction. It will surprise you and could even be an opportunity.
I persist in asking, what have you done in your community to preserve or recognize California history? What have you done to perpetuate the Native Sons of the Golden West? I go back to many of my articles as Grand President and previous HPF reports and continue to beat the same drum. The Historical Preservation Foundation of the Native Sons of the Golden West is a door or a path to California history as well as that unspoken hidden agenda, that it is a door or a path to the future of the Native Sons.
In the next issue of The Native Son there will be a report from our meeting during the Discovery of Gold Festivities as well as our plans for Grand Parlor. The next meeting of the HPF Board will be in the San Francisco area during the board meeting weekend in April.
Until next time Happy Trails.
