How has the Benicia Historical Museum celebrated its twenty-fifth Anniversary Year? With reunions with old friends, welcomes to new friends, music, words, poignant photographs, and a 25th birthday cake float in the Twilight Parade. Add to that the interactive Patwin Indian permanent exhibit, the 100th Anniversary Boy Scouts of America memorabilia-filled display, the “Light and Sound” collaborative works with Arts Benicia, a Kids Day filled with “old-fashioned” chores, “critters” and a Benicia police officer and his dog, who thrilled us with his attention to duty. Musically, our concerts, indoors and in the Spenger Garden, ran from the Celtic to today, with dancing under the stars and, if you missed the Costume Ball, look for pictures on our website.
The 25th Anniversary ceremony itself was a tribute to the vision of the Museum’s founders and a thank you for all their hard work in setting up such a treasury of the unique history of our city. Of course, we had birthday cake, camel balloons and “Humpfree,” a real, live camel whose personality stole our hearts. And we aren’t finished yet: our Christmas Tree Farm will open November 26th for you to shop for trees and wreaths.
We are grateful to our sponsors, donors, staff, docents and volunteers who keep the organization moving forward. Don’t forget that behind the scenes our collection grows, research is ongoing, and exhibits are being planned—all to continue into the next 25 years as the “best little Museum in California” and beyond. We want all of our readers here to come and join us in 2011.