The Novato Historian The Quarterly Publication of the Novato Historical Guild and the Novato History Museum Preserving Novato’s History News Section Contents © 2009 Novato Historical Guild, Inc. April-June 2009 The Novato Historian Volume 33, Number 2 Hamilton Museum Making Headway By John Trumbull The Guild is happy to report that and ahead of schedule. This is due in volunteer project superintendent, and the renovation project at the large part to the constant attention and the flexibility and cooperation of our Hamilton Museum is under budget resourcefulness of Ray Dwelly, our official contractor, Bob Lowry. The Bob and Ray team can be found per- sonally working on site almost any day of the week. Guild volunteers that have consis- tently donated about three work days per week are Roland Fuette, Bob Manzoni, Tom Keena and Dan Johnstone. Others, such as John Trumbull and Diane Campbell, have contributed also, but not quite as reg- ularly. As a result of these efforts the fol- lowing has been achieved: The office is prime coat painted and the drop ceiling installed; it is opera- tional. The same is true of both bath- rooms. The reception area walls are Ray Dwelly, museum project superintendent, at work in his temporary office, still under renovation, in the Hamilton Museum. prime coat painted. The library has had the sheet rock installed, awaits finish “mudding” before its first coat Old Timers’ Day Celebration of paint. The large display area (the equipment bay) is partially sheet- The Novato Historical Guild will will receive their lunch free of charge. rocked, but needs considerably more host the annual Old Timers’ Day Other attendees will be asked for a attention before the electrical lines meeting on Saturday, June 6, at noon $5.00 contribution. After lunch, the are installed and the ceiling is ready at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1959 graduates will be introduced to for painting. Finally the small equip- 1560 Hill Road. This meeting will share their school and Novato memo- ment bay on the west side of the celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ries. building hasn’t had any signifi- 1959 8th grade graduating class from Many present and former Novato cant attention as of yet. If work pro- the Novato School District. See Bette residents enjoy the opportunity to gresses at the current pace, the fire- Benaski Holloway’s story about the visit with old friends at Old Timers’ house should be ready to host the 1959 class on page N-9. Day. Guild members, guests and September general meeting. (I per- The June 6 meeting will start at prospective members are invited to sonally have waited more than 10 noon with a light lunch. Graduates attend. years to make that prediction!!) N-2 The Novato Historian April-June 2009 The Novato Historian Published March, June, September, and President’s Corner December by the Novato Historical Guild, a California 501(c)3 non-profit corporation by Ron Vela formed November 18, 1976. Contents © President, Novato Historical Guild 2009 Novato Historical Guild, Inc. Guild Mission Statement The Hamilton museum is coming Our Mission is to collect, preserve, and It is said that time flies by when make reasonably available to the public, you’re having fun. The first quarter along nicely. Ray Dwelly has done a exhibits and information related to the his- of this year has flown by so we must remarkable job in putting together a torical and social development of the bunch of hard working volunteers. Novato valley, Hamilton Field, and the be having a great time. We have had adjacent North Marin area. a very active first Quarter. We have Twenty two volunteers have logged Novato Historical Guild 2009 Officers had to deal with a City budget crisis hours to the project. So far as of this President Ron Vela that caused us to almost lose the writing they have put in a cumulative Vice President Mike Read museum curator. Samatha has done a 1,105 hours into the project. Sixty- Secretary Kathryn Hansen Treasurer Charlotte Urban fantastic job and we had to find a way five percent of those hours have been Board of Directors to hold on to her. The board stepped done by three individuals: Ray Dick Altman Stephen Schwindt up to the challenge and offered to pay Dwelly, Roland Fuette, and Robert Cindy Motsinger Pat Johnstone for half of her salary for the next fis- Lowry. Another twenty percent came Edna Manzoni Roland Fuette Mike Silva Diana Goebel cal year starting in July. The City has from another six individuals. Ray Dwelly Bill McDill agreed and voted to fund her position According to Ray they are about forty John Trumbull at least for the next year. percent complete. Ray’s hopes are Honorary Historian Eleonora Lafranchi If you missed the March General that they will host the September Committee Chairs meeting you missed a very interest- General Meeting at the Hamilton Cemetery Joe Giari ing and passionate speaker. Vernell museum. Thanks guys for all your Finance Mike Read Fund Raising Mike Read Crittendon Jr. spent twenty nine years sweat equity. Gift Store Pat Johnstone as a correctional officer at San Pat Johnstone has done an out- Grants Edna Manzoni Quentin State Prison. He has written standing job at the museum gift store. Hamilton Museum Ray Dwelly Hospitality Diana Goebel a book on the subject and has been She reports that Arcadia Publishing Edna Manzoni speaking to groups about his experi- has sold 1466 copies of the Hamilton Mailing Bill Almeida ences. He had many interesting sto- book that we published last fall. We Membership Edna Manzoni Nominating Mike Silva ries to tell. are now in the middle of preparing Oral History Jim McNern our next book Novato, Then and Now. Publicity Bill McDill The team is working feverously on Public Outreach Roland Fuette John Trumbull School Tours Janice Bazurto getting all the old photographs com- Anne Lehan Returns to Board piled, captions written and the “Now” Cindy Motsinger photographs taken to meet the pub- Sunshine Anna Morrison Newsletter Editorial Board lishers deadline of May 19. The team Bill Almeida Jim McNern consists of our fearless leader Pat Johnstone Tonie Brown Samatha Kimpel, myself, Edna Mike Read Manzoni, Janice Bazurto, Yvette Typography, Composition, Layout Mike Clancy Jackson, Sheryl Jones, Michael Read, City of Novato Staff William Wright, Susan and John Community Services Division Manager Trumbull, Jim McNern, Anne Lehan, Kathy Graves Kathryn Hansen, Cynthia Motsinger, Museum Curator Samantha Kimpel Iva Young, Diana Goebel and Original articles and photographs related to Stephen Schwindt. Novato history are welcomed! Please don’t miss the next Gen - Deadline for Sept. issue is Aug. 1. eral Meeting on Saturday, June 6, Address Changes The Guild is pleased to announce that John The Novato Historian is mailed by bulk Trumbull is returning to the Board of 2009. The theme is Novato’s 1959 mail and will not be forwarded by the Postal Directors. John has been active with the 8th Grade Reunion and Old Timers’ Service. Please notify us promptly of your Hamilton Museum project recently and is Day. If you attended last year, address change, at Novato Historical Guild, a past president and newsletter editor of you know how much fun it was. 75 Rowland Way, Suite 200, Novato, CA the Guild. In his spare time John likes to 94945. build and fly radio controlled antique model Lots of stories told and memories airplanes. remembered. April-June 2009 The Novato Historian N-3 Novato—50 Years Ago (April, May and June 1959) by Bill Almeida and Tonie Brown “Novato 50 Years Ago” is a collec- the highest bidder over the minimum had burned down in November 1958. tion of items culled by Bill Almeida price of $32,000. • Joan Marzell, local high school from the April, May and June issues • Novato High star athletes, Jack senior, was designated as a recipient of the Novato Advance newspapers in Sparrow and George Gnoss, flew to of the Archbishop Mitty Youth Award the collection of the Novato History Eugene, Oregon on April 24, return- for 1959. “Her constant and excellent Museum and microfilm at the Novato ing to Novato on April 26. They are work with the Our Lady of Loretto Library. Tonie Brown retypes the arti- considering Oregon State as well as C.Y.O. unit for the past four years has cles for the newsletter. We hope you other colleges. They reported a “ter- marked her as an outstanding teen- enjoy reading the names and happen- rific” time in Oregon. ager,” a spokesman said. ings of 1959. • Kenton Stuve, 30, of 1931 • Mrs. Fanny Baccaglio, 81, died • John Novak is seeking approval Novato Boulevard, was killed in the June 12 at San Rafael General of plans to build a 21 lot subdivision on early morning hours of May 1 when Hospital. Mrs. Baccaglio had been a five acres off Center Road between his MGA convertible sports car resident of Novato since 1900 when Hill Road and Center Road. Villa flipped over pinning him underneath. she came here from Italy as the bride Maria is the name of the subdivision. Stuve was a group supervisor at of James Baccaglio. She made her • Funeral services were held Marin County Juvenile Hall. Two co- home with her son, Egidio (Jid), at March 31 for one of Novato’s best workers were passengers and suffered 1522 South Novato Boulevard. loved personalities, Miss Lulu Sutton. injuries but were later released from • Eighty-three Novato High School Miss Sutton died March 28 in Marin Marin General Hospital. seniors made history on June 18 as General Hospital.