Saratoga Historical Foundation

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Prohibitionthe 18th Amendment
SHF Historian Ray Cosyn will give a lecture on, Prohibitionthe 18th Amendment on Sunday, November 21 at 1:00pm. The lecture is free and open to the public and will be held at the Odd Fellows Hall on Oak Street. January of this year marked the 90th anniversary of the beginning of Prohibition in the United States for on January 16, 1920 the country embarked on one of its greatest social experimentsthe effort to prohibit within its borders the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages. A year earlier, the 18th Amendment had been ratified by the states, setting the process in motion; the federal government followed with the Volstead Act which defined alcoholic drinks, established an enforcement procedure, and set penalties for violators. The experiment lasted for 13 years and only ended with the election of FDR during the height of the Great Depression. How did Prohibition come about? Who were the players? What was its impact? Why did it end? Light refreshments will be served in the Museum at the end of the lecture.
Uncorking ProhibitionA Look at the Wine Industry opens October 22 at the Saratoga History Museum. The new exhibit will run through January 31, 2011.
Rollicking lumber town Saratoga was one of the first towns in the state to become "dry" in the 1890s and stayed that way until the end of World War II. Prohibition had a big impact on the local wineries and the state of California. Several interesting artifacts are on display including one of the oldest in the Saratoga collectionan 1855 silk banner presented to the Sons of Temperance; a Carrie Nation hatchet shaped pin; Womens Christian Temperance Union white ribbon pins and more.
Come find out more about how the town became "dry" and the impact on local wineries, such as Paul Masson. Interesting artifacts from the Martin Ray Winery, Paul Masson Winery and others are on exhibit.

Fei HuThe Flying Tigers
The Flying Tigers and the Second Sino-Japanese War, a presentation hosted by the Saratoga Historical Foundation, will take place December 12 at 2:00pm at the Saratoga Community Library in Saratoga. Light refreshments will be served. The presentation will include a slide presentation by SHF historian Ray Cosyn covering the military conflict that took place from July 1937 to September 1945 between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. Bud Rideout, a Flying Tiger will talk about his experience during the conflict.
The Flying Tigers were a cadre of 300 US men and women trained to face the Japanese Air Force in combat over the skies of China and Burma. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the daring exploits of the Fei Hu took the imagination of the world. The Chinese called the Flying Tigers Fei Hu after the fierce looking sharks teeth painted on the planes. A panel of Dr. John Longwell, Rick Waltonsmith, and Ernie Kraule will give short presentations on aspects of the war. The presentation is free to the public.

Historic Tours of Saratoga
The Saratoga Historical Foundation offers docent-led historic walking tours year round. The docent-led tours last about 60 minutes with lots of easy walking. Meet your fellow time travellers and get some exercise at the same time. Make an appointment today by calling 408-867-4311 and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the history of your community. The Lunblad Lodge on Oak street is one of the interesting stops on the tour. Download walking tour map here. You can also take your own historic bicycle tour around Saratoga. Pedal the 11-mile trip and see some of the early-day homes. Download bike tour map here.

New Board of Directors Position
Fund Development Director wanted!! SHF is looking for a seasoned Fund Development Director to plan and coordinate annual and special fund raising events. The new director will work closely with other directors on the board including the Social Events, Marketing, and others. Contact Bob Himel if interested.

The Saratoga Historical Foundation Museum located at Saratoga Historical Park: 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA

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Christmas is Coming
Please join us on November 26 from 6-8pm for light refreshments, music by the Skillet Likkers, and light shopping in the Museum gift shop. It is also a great opportunity to see the current exhibit as well as visit the historic McWilliams House. Both the Museum and the McWilliams House will be decorated for Christmas-- don't miss this great event!

Four New Saratoga Books in the Museum Gift Shop
Two new coloring books or bedtime story books are now available in the Museum Gift Shop. Sunshine the Village Cat, illustrated by Ginny Sampson and told by Louise Cooper Garrod is a delightful true story about the travels of a local kitty. Saratoga. The history of Saratoga is a wonderful true coloring book written and illustrated by Les Landin. The 28-page coloring book would be a delight for the young and the young at heart.
Also on sale at the Museum Gift Shop is, Willys Pecks Saratoga. The book includes selected Saratoga Stereopticon columns first published in the Saratoga News and edited by April Halberstadt. The 64-page book includes photos, an article on how to be a perfect husband by Betty Peck, and tributes from Publisher Dale Bryant, Columnist Carl Heintze, and former Reporter Jackie Welch. Over 28 columns written by Peck are included covering a myriad of topics chosen for their historical content.
Connie Young Yus book: Patchwork History: The Peoples Bicentennial Quilt has been reprinted in color and features quilt blocks commemorating important moments in history. The book includes a message from Alice Keesey Mecoy, the great, great, great granddaughter of Abolitionist John Brown, concerning the quilt block produced on Harpers Ferry by her grandmother. John Browns wife, Mary Brown and many of their family are buried in Madronia cemetary.
The Museum Gift Shop is open from 1-4PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department has interesting information and pictures about the history of the Saratoga fire station here.