Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m. - Cancelled. Has been rescheduled to June 9.
Speaker: Ann Bernath, Author, "Always Plotting: A Writer's Life"
March 2024 - Women History Month
Sunday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.
Speaker: Jouslynn Griffin, Chair of WIN, Women in NAACP
Sunday, February 4, 2024, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Speaker: Dr Derik Smith, Department of Literature at Claremont McKenna College
Topic: Robert Hayden, First Black Poetic Laureate
Sunday, January 14, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
The showing of the film "100 Days from Mississippi", the true story of Mamie Lang Kirkland who was born in 1908 in Ellisville, Mississippi.
If You Can't Make It to the Presentation, Join by Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86531094068?pwd=MkVmVTB3ZlpDQjY1RVRjbEpsazZ0Zz09
Meeting ID: 865 3109 4068
Passcode: 314762
BONUS ROUTE 66 EXHIBIT THROUGH JUNE 2022
Richard Amadori and his Route 66 Exhibit at the Duarte Historical Museum through June.
An additional Route 66 exhibit is now on display from the collection of road warrior Richard Amadori and will remain in the Museum main room through June.
Route 66 state shields and memorabilia collected along the Mother Road by Amadori over the years will honor America's Main Highway.
SPRING BIRDWALK SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Coffee and donuts at the museum 7-8 am. Walk led by Ron Cyger leaves Duarte Museum 8 am. Free. Bring binoculars.
DUARTE WOMAN'S CLUB EXHIBIT MARCH-APRIL
The Duarte Woman's Club, one of Duarte's longest running philanthropic organizations, will be the subject of an exhibit at the Duarte Historical Museum running March through April.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM FEBRUARY 20
Chris Loos
In recognition of Black History Month, the Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association will present a conversation with Barbara Gholar and Brian Richie hosted by 20- year radio veteran Chris Loos on
February 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Duarte Historical Museum, at 777 Encanto Parkway in Duarte. Admission is free. Space is limited.
Loos has worked in top markets in the U.S. and has interviewed the likes of Eminem, Mike Tyson, the Black Eyed Peas and Kendrick Lamar.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS, AUGUST 18, 2021, 3 P.M., AT DUARTE MUSEUM
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING JUNE 17, 2021, 4:30 P.M., AT DUARTE MUSEUM
BOTTLES AND CARBIDE LIGHTS EXHIBIT AT DUARTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM STARTING JUNE 12
Duarte resident Alan Heller is happiest when wandering through the desert sorting through trash heaps. The result makes up a new exhibit at the Duarte Historical Museum starting Saturday,
June 12.
Heller will exhibit his collection of acetylene gas lamps, known as carbide lights, which spelunkers used to light their way when exploring caves and working in mines. He will also share his
bottle collection.
Learn why some bottles turn purple after sitting in the sun. Discover how spelunkers find their way in pitch black caves and mines.
The Museum is located at 777 Encanto Parkway in Duarte and is open Saturdays 1-4 p.m. and the first and third Wednesday each month from 1-3 p.m. Admission is
free. Masks must be worn in the museum.
DEPRESSION GLASS COLLECTION ON DISPLAY AT THE DUARTE MUSEUM APRIL 10
The Depression glass collection of Karleen Daugherty will be on display at the Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, for two months beginning on April 10
when the museum reopens after a yearlong mandated closure.
Admission is free and hours are 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. and the first and third Wednesday each month. Covid restrictions will be diligently adhered to so
watch your distance and wear a mask.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING MARCH 4, 5 P.M., AT DUARTE MUSEUM
DUARTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM WILL ELECT 2020 OFFICERS
AND CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEBRUARY 22
According to the by laws of the Duarte Historical Society & Museum, the Board of Directors at the July 24, 2019 meeting voted to recommend a slate of officers for 2020, which is identical to
the present officers. We will have an election at our February 22, 4:30 p.m. meeting to be held at the museum. At that time, nominations from the floor will be accepted.
Following the short business meeting, the Celebration of Black History Month will be held.
ANTIQUE HORSELESS CARRIAGES ON DISPLAY
AT DUARTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Pre-1916 horseless carriages will be on display at the Duarte Historical Museum from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 1, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte, sponsored by
The Horseless Carriage Club of Southern California, unofficially based in Pasadena. For more information call (626) 358-0329. Free.
DUARTE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & VINTAGE MARKET DECEMBER 7, 2019
Celebrate the holidays at the 5th Annual Holiday Craft Fair and Vintage Market on December 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Andres Duarte Statue and the adjacent Grace Fellowship Church, 1551
Huntington Drive. The event is sponsored by the Duarte Historical Society & Museum and hosted by the Grace Fellowship Church. Admission is free.
Vendors interested in participating may click here for more information or call Karen Levein
at (626) 201-1449.
OCTOBER 20 – 3 p.m.
Rare Photos from 1863 to be Revealed at the Duarte Museum
A lone photographer embarked on a momentous journey in the American West traveling west from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the banks of the Colorado River and the mines of Eldorado Canyon in
today’s Nevada. The year was 1863, many years before anyone else took the next photo of this desert and its travelers, crossroads, forts, soldiers, and watering holes.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m., at the Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte, Author Jeffrey Lapides will reveal many of these rare photos and tell the story of the German
photographer Rudolph d’Heureuse – a surveyor, cartographer, civil engineer, mining engineer, oenologist, photographer and inventor. The backdrop to this story is the American Civil War,
relations between white settlers, Hispanics, and Native Americans, military exploits, salacious news accounts, and greed.
Lapides is a Southern California jewelry photographer and book designer residing in Sierra Madre. His current book entitled The Mojave Road in 1863: The Pioneering Photographs of Rudolph
d’Heureuse will be on display and available for purchase.
Admission is free. For more information call (626) 358-0329.
OCTOBER 5 – 5:30 p.m.
Local ‘En Plein Air Artists’ Display Grand Opening at the Duarte Museum
Most weekends a group of local artists shaded by umbrellas busily creating paintings of the beauty around Duarte may be seen hard at work on their easels shaded by umbrellas. These “en Plein
Air artists” will be exhibiting their creative works at the Duarte Historical Museum through October and November, with the Grand Opening scheduled for October 5 at 5:30 p.m.
These creations are mostly of local areas which will be familiar to those who live in the San Gabriel Valley. The artist group gathers weekly at various spots in the valley, painting the scene
before them. Under the direction and expertise of their leader, Robert Sherrill of Pasadena, they all agree that they love being out of doors and enjoy the social aspect of group
painting. Sharing their creations is part of that happy place.
The public is invited to the Grand Opening and admission is free. To view the exhibit after the Grand Opening, the museum is open Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. and the first and second Wednesday, 1-3
p.m. The Museum is located at 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. Visit the Museum website for details: www.RanchoDeDuarte.org or call (626) 358-0329.
LICENSE PLATE AND FRAME COLLECTION OF MARK MONTGOMERY ON DISPLAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER
This "Nunavut" plate is from the Eastern two thirds of the Northwest Territories. Photo by Claudia Heller
Born and raised in Duarte, Mark Montgomery, 49, has decreased his license plate collection in order to share it at the Duarte Historical Museum through September. It all started in the 1990s
when he couldn't resist a bear shaped commercial vehicle plate from the Northwest Territories in Canada. The passion began.
Garage sales, estate sales, and antique stores were his preferred hunting grounds and then he joined the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) and often travels to attend some of
their annual conventions which sponsor a "best plate of the year contest." The Club boasts more than 2,280 current members who come from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as well as
nineteen countries. Members receive a bi-monthly full-color publication "Plates" and have full access to the organization's web-based license plate archives for every country around the world.
Montgomery's collection today numbers about 150. He says his favorite plate is "Nunavut" from the Eastern two thirds of the Northwest Territories. He explains that in the year 2000 they formed
their own territory and government. The plate he is displaying has the number "00 00" because "it is a sample plate."
His collection also includes license plate frames which are sold at the Orange County and Pomona Fairplex. Custom frames are ordered through the California Frames Co. An example of a custom
frame says: "WANT THE BEST MILK IN L.A.? JUST GO TO MONTEBELLO." That frame refers to the Bruguière's Dairy which was located in Montebello and known for its glass-bottled chocolate milk
and eggnog. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of their loyal customers, the family run dairy closed down this past July after 110 years in business.
Another frame says: "SACRAMENTO - HAROLD FORD SINCE 1911," the oldest continuously operating Ford dealership founded in 1911. Montgomery orders his personalize plate frames from a frame company in
Canoga Park which sells custom frames at their booth at the Pomona Fairplex and Orange County Fair. It now operates under the name Munchkin Enterprises.
Montgomery attended Valley View School, Northview and graduated from Duarte High School in 1988. He keeps his coveted plate and frame collections in his bedroom when they are not on display.
However, it is only one of many of his collections which also include cookbooks, hot wheels, restaurant menus, car brochures (from Skoda to Renault to Studebaker), and owner manuals for old kitchen
appliances. He is a familiar face around Duarte, especially at the Library and Museum. He regularly attends City Council meetings.
Montgomery's collection will be on display through September. The Museum is open Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and the first and third Wednesday each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is located at 777
Encanto Parkway in Duarte. Admission is free.
SEPTEMBER 28
Duarte’s Salute to Route 66 Parade - www.DuarteCCC.com
AUGUST 6
National Night Out in Encanto Park. The Museum will hold an open house.
JUNE 20 – 2 p.m.
A tour of the Morrison Ranch, known today as Westminster Gardens, will be sponsored by the Duarte Historical Society & Museum on June 20 at 2 p.m. at 1420 Santo Domingo, Duarte. Discover
the Ranch’s deeps roots in Duarte’s history and how its past framed Duarte life today. Free. To sign up, call (626) 358-0329 or email at famheller@msn.com.
JUNE 12
Museum volunteer dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory – invitation only.
JUNE 8 – 2 p.m.
Docent training by Steve Baker. Beneficial to current docents, future docents and anyone interested in the museum artifacts and the history of each.
It was nostalgia time as Colleen MacKay shared her extensive GWTW collection at a museum party celebrating the 90th anniversary of the famed film. Plates, magazines, statues, books and other
movie memorabilia represented the story, the actors and famous lines which are familiar today. "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn."
Colleen's favorite is Scarlet played by Vivien Leigh who died in 1967. The lovely dress Colleen wore for the party was
reminiscent of the gowns of the period.
Olivia de Havilland (Melanie) is alive today at 102.
GONE WITH THE WIND 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MAY
31
Colleen MacKay
Gone with the Wind night will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the famous film’s first showing and feature the grand opening of Colleen MacKay’s display featuring books, magazines and extensive
memorabilia of GWTW. Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at the museum, 777 Encanto Parkway. Colleen’s collection has outgrown her house over the years. She adds to it constantly
picking up anything GWTW at yard sales, antique stores and flea markets. “If I see it, I buy it,” she admits.
The stars will be with us in spirit. Scarlett, the plucky belle, teaches us to persevere and never give up; the Mammy, Hattie McDaniel (the first African American to win an Oscar); Prissy
who “don’t know nuttin about birthing babies” and, of course, Rhett Butler of “Frankly, I don’t give a damn” fame.
So, dress the part and join us. Admittance is free. For more information call (626) 358-0329.
GABRIELENO KIZH NATION PRESENTS "RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES" MAY 24
The Gabrielinos were always here, but have gone unnoticed in modern times. "Right before your Eyes" by Tim Poyorena-Miguel will present the story of the Gabrielino Kizh Nation, "the only
true indigenous tribe of Los Angeles, despite the fact that others claim to be." He will reveal rare photos and history of his tribe on May 24 at the Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto
Parkway, Duarte, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
How did the tribe lose their land in the Duarte area? Why have they not disappeared altogether? Miguel will tell the story of Victoria Reid and how she saved the tribe from extinction
when gold hunters put a bounty on Indian heads at the price of twenty-five cents. He will describe the struggles, the failures and the successes. "I'll give you 2000 years in 40 minutes,"
he says.
The public is invited to attend and learn about local Native American history.
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT TALK
April 27, 2:30 p.m., at the Duarte Historical Museum.
DUARTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
“Duarte is one of a handful of Southern California towns with a community of African Americans by 1900,” says Susie Ling, Associate Professor of History at Pasadena City College. “The early
20th century saw ‘the Great Migration’ of African Americans coming west from Jim Crow South.”
Further she explains that “although the West was [considered] the freest part of free America – pure democracy, Southern California was not without its brand of racial discrimination. By the
1920s, growing social segregation developed in Duarte, Monrovia, and Pasadena.”
Celebrating Black History Month, the Duarte Historical Museum is presenting a display featuring a number of local African American men and women who have made significant contributions to Duarte
and our neighboring Monrovia. They are but a few examples of the tenacity and passion that have made Duarte a great place to live,” says Claudia Heller, Museum president.
To name but a few featured in the exhibit: Bernice Watson, co-author of On the Duarte; musician Loyd Gibbons who, at age 102, still operates a local bike shop; Don Watson, first Black mayor
in the San Gabriel Valley; Lois Gaston, former mayor and community activist; Ron Husband, former animator for Walt Disney; and Ken Bell, 36 year veteran of law enforcement and current long-time DUSD
Board member.
The display will commence on February 9, with a grand opening scheduled for 2 p.m. that day at the Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway. It will run through March. The Museum is open Saturdays, 1-4
p.m. and the first and third Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. Admission is free. For more information call (626) 358-0329.
Click here to download the Black History flier as a PDF file.FLIER.pdf Adobe Acrobat document [637.9 KB]
DUARTE CHRONICLES JANUARY 25, 2019 - 6:30 P.M.
This contemporary history of Duarte will take us to lost local icons and some current colorful characters who still enhance our lives. We cry for the loss of
The Trails but cheer for the Old Duarte Schoolhouse turned Spaghetti Factory. Learn the story behind Cinco Robles Street in South Duarte, and find out why there is a bridge over the Royal Oaks
bike trail at Oak Avenue. Our speaker, Claudia Heller, the book's author, will take us back to The Blvd. Café and the Big Sky Drive In and other favorite sots of the past.
Refreshments after the program. Admission is free.
DUARTE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES FOURTH ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR & VINTAGE MARKET DECEMBER 8, 2018
Celebrate the holidays at the 4th Annual Winter Solstice Craft Fair and Vintage Market on December 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Andres Duarte Statue and the adjacent Grace Fellowship
Church, 1551 Huntington Drive. The event is sponsored by the Duarte Historical Society & Museum. Admission is free.
Unique handcrafted items and vintage wares will be for sale and food and entertainment will add to the festivities,” says Nick Montalvo, DHS&M board member and event organizer. “And it
will give an opportunity to our local artists to showcase their talents.”
Vendors interested in participating may check the museum website: www.RanchoDeDuarte.org or call Karen Levein at (626)
201-1449.
WINTER SOLSTICE CRAFT FAIR & VINTAGE MARKET
December 8, 2018 - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Andres Duarte Statue Plaza
1551 Huntington Dr., Duarte
For vendor information click here.
AN EYE OPENING TOUR OF THE
SGV MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
DECEMBER 6, 2018
Right in your backyard dwells the most dangerous animal in the world, and no, it isn’t a bear. According to the SGVM&VCD, it is the mosquito. Over 735,000 people in the world die
every year from mosquito transmitted disease.
On December 6, Duarte Museum sponsored tour of the San Gabriel Valley Vector Control District located in West Covina was an eye-opener and we all learned a lot, some of which was alarming.
Sure, we knew there are lots of mosquitoes (3,500 species world-wide), but we knew little of the different species, and the dangers they possess.
Briefly the species are:
The Culex, which resides in urban Southern California, are the major vectors (transmitters) of West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis and Western equine
encephalomyelitis viruses.
The Anopheles, the most common in our area, is found in rivers and canyon streams in algae mats and cattail stands. They transmit malaria which is no
longer endemic in California but outbreaks can occur when infected travelers are fed upon by local mosquitoes.
The Aedes inhabit coastal marshes and breed in containers and tree holes. They are significant vectors of dengue and other viruses worldwide.
The Culiseta is a cool-weather mosquito and is common in fall and spring. They prefer large animals to humans.
We peered into bottles in the lab, and lapped up tons of information on mosquitoes and the diseases they spread. The statistics are shocking. When the tour came to
the end, the question of course was “What can we do to help stop the danger?”
Because it is difficult to control the adult mosquito population, our help comes in when we habitually remove the habitats in our own yards that breed the immature
mosquitoes. Those habitats revolve around standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Here are some areas to watch out for:
Buckets and other container. Store them upside down.
Leaky hoses, faucets and pipes.
Fountains and birdbaths. Clean or hose out weekly.
Rain barrels. Cover tightly with a fine mesh screen.
Potted plant saucers. Drill holes in the bottom for drainage.
Ponds. Stock them with mosquito fish.
At this point we were beginning to learn that we could certainly follow a few guidelines and perhaps make a difference.
M&VCD will provide you with mosquito fish for your pond. Call them at (626) 814-9466 to request pick up or delivery.
So if you are itching to learn more about this threatening health hazard, log on to www.sgvmosquito.org for everything you want to know about mosquitoes, and/or arrange for a speaker to come to your group and give a presentation. Better yet, call them and arrange
a visit to the facility at 1145 No. Azusa Canyon Rd., West Covina, CA 91790.
FALL BIRDWALK DECEMBER 1, 2018
Kimball Garrett, ornithologist with the L.A. County Museum of Natural History, will lead a birding expedition on Saturday, December 1, leaving the Duarte Historical Museum in Encanto Park at 7:30
a.m.
The walk is moderate and will focus on birds in Encanto Park, along the bioswale trail, across the Puente Largo Bridge and for a ways up the bike trail on the river’s east side. This trip is
on, rain or shine.
The expedition is free. Binoculars are helpful, though Kimball will bring a scope. These trips normally produce a list of between 30-70 species. We will be looking for fall
migrants.
If you have questions, call (626) 358-0329.
C. R. King, Author
THE DUARTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM TO PRESENT
WYATT EARP: LAW MAN OR OUTLAW?
The Annual General Meeting of the Duarte Historical Society & Museum will feature author C. R. King’s presentation of “Wyatt Earp: Law Man or Outlaw?” on Friday, November 2, 6:30 p.m. at the
Duarte Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. Admission is Free. Wear your cowboy hat!
King has worked in the broadcast industry most of his adult life. Today he has earned the reputation of an expert on gunslingers of the Wild West and has penned several books on the subject.
His story of Arthur King and Wyatt Earp (“The Last Deputy”) is based on fact. He has also authored Battlefield Treasures, Men of War, The Solar Odyssey, Lies & Betrayal, and A Fraternity of
Gunslingers: True Stories of Wild West Gunmen.
After outlining the exciting life of Earp, King expects the audience will come to their own conclusions. Was Earp a man of his time, or purely legend? Did he enforce the law or break
the law? Regardless of how one interprets the information, he expects the presented snippets of Earp’s actions “will enlighten and give a better understanding to a very real Wyatt Berry Strapp
Earp.”
A short business meeting will be held. For further information, call (626) 358-0329. Admission is free. Refreshments follow the program.
PROFESSOR-HISTORIAN ABE HOFFMAN
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, AT 4 P.M.
Discussion and book signing at the Duarte Historical Museum, 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte.
Admission is free. Space is limited. For more information call (626) 358-0329.
To download the flyer in pdf format, click here.
DUARTE MUSEUM TO HONOR LARRY WALLS
AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION JANUARY 13
Larry Walls literally fought his way to success. His childhood in Duarte's Rock Town was rife with bloody noses, black eyes and worse. While he was often a victim, he was much of the
time a perpetrator. He kept this in mind when he wrote the following in his autobiography:
"Here I am on a hot day in the Compton Superior Court waiting on the jury verdict in a double murder and triple attempted murder trial." Walls could have been a defendant in the above
trial. But, no, he was the Deputy District Attorney. How could this happen?
Celebrating Black History Month, the Duarte Historical Museum will honor Walls on January 13, 4-7 p.m. at 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte. Walls will talk about life in Duarte during the
volatile 1950s through the 1980s and how Duarte moved forward to the town it is today. He will sign and sell his book entitled Hurdles; Struggles of a Black Man in the Land of Milk and
Honey.
Admission is free. For more information call (626) 358-0329.
To download the flyer in pdf format, click here.
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