Lafayette, California

Using The Lafayette Sun

One of the greatest resources the Lafayette Historical Society possesses is it’s collection of back issues of the Lafayette Sun. There are a few missing years, but for the most part, we have all the papers from the late 1930′s till they became the Contra Costa Sun in 1980. Expect to do a little digging through the volumes in order to find your subject.

 

Luckily there is plenty of amusement in it:

 

At times it can be violent:

 

It will often put you into the mindset of the times:

 

And sometimes you might stumble on a chapter of Lafayette history:

 

In the end, we hope you find what you are looking for. Swing by to do some research or just to look at funny ads.

LHS Annual Potluck Dinner — Imagining History’s Lost Voices: the Women of the Gold Rush

“In the small settlement of the Motherlode, a group of disparate characters have set up a community, held together by the formidable Emaline, hostess of the Wayside Inn. It is there that Alex, on the run from something and disguised as a teenage boy, finds refuge. But once she strikes gold, buried secrets are revealed and danger surrounds her.” -an excerpt from “Crown of Dust” by Mary Volmer.

After 1848, when gold was discovered in California, dreams of adventure and instant wealth made westward movement the all-consuming passion of the nation.

“Go West Young Man” became the catch phrase of the era, but joining these youngmen was a hardy collection of women. Prostitutes and preacher’s wives, escaped slaves and society women,reformers, teachers, saloon keepers, cross dressers, criminals…the women of the Gold Rush helped shape the region and the nation. Yet their stories have been largely forgotten.

Who were Mary Ellen Pleasant, Georgiana Kirby, Mary Hallock Foote, and Madam Mustache? If you don’t know now you will when you attend the LHS Annual Potluck and this fascinating program.

During her engaging talk Mary Volmer will explore how the interplay of fiction and history allows for the compassionate re-imagining some of California’s most famous (and infamous) female residents.

Mary Volmer was raised in Grass Valley, California and lives in our area. She was the recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to the University of Wales, Scholarship in creative writing at Saint Mary’s College, California. She is now a professor and the founding Director of the Saint Mary’s College Honors Program and happily at work on a second novel.

We’ll be selling raffle tickets for “Crown of Dust” and Ms. Volmer will be available to sign copies of purchased copies of her book.

For questions about the event and reservations, please call (925) 283-1848 or email Lafayette.history@comcast.net.

-by Julie Sullivan

Downtown Lafayette – Then & Now (Speaker Series and Walking Tour)

Two events for Lafayette Historical Society Supporters in April!

Are you smarter then a third grader? Now is the time to find out! And if you are not, you will be at the end of this exceptional pair of informative and fun events from the Lafayette Historical Society in April. Mark your calendars now and call LHS at (925) 283-1848 or send and email with your reservation request to Lafayette.history@comcast.net

Lafayette is one of the oldest settlements in Contra Costa County and several of the original buildings from the past remain in current use. Our rich history lives in these buildings today!

The presentation on April 25 will introduce you to the history of this interesting town. From it’s founding in 1848 when Elam Brown built the first house, through the growth and establishment of the La Fayette Post Office in 1857. Learn where the first general store was built, the second school house and the third school house. These are all buildings that still exist more than 150 years later. You’ll visit them on the walking tour if you join us on April 29th!

Mary McCosker, a Lafayette native, is a self-described history nut. Give her an excuse and she will dive into investigating any historical question put before her. She is the co-author of “Images of America – Lafayette”, a teacher of the History of Lafayette to third-graders in local schools through a program supported by “Lafayette Partners in Education” (LPIE) and the current president of the Lafayette Historical Society.

Mary’s deep-rooted knowledge of the area and her sense of humor promise to make these events extraordinary.

Michelle Chan also a longtime Lafayette resident and has been an LPIE instructor. She currently leads downtown tours for third-graders in Lafayette schools.

Acalanes High School Records (The Acalanes Story)

Recently we found two records in our collection that were recorded for the years 1957-1958 and 1958-1959. They were meant to encapsulate the year by spotlighting events such as sports and plays. We have digitized them and included them below.

100th Anniversary of Lafayette Improvement Association Photos

100th Anniversary of Lafayette Improvement Association (Library display from November 2011)

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