Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park Threatened with Closure

Due to California state budget shortfalls, our much loved Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (MGDSHP) has found its way to the state closure list. According to Scott Nakaji, superintendent of the Park Department's Gold Fields District, the park will likely close for at least two years, unless other funding sources are found.

Every year 70,000 school children visit this park to learn about the discovery of gold that led to the 1849 Gold Rush, which resulted in one of the the greatest mass migrations in history. They learn about its effects, both positive and negative, on history, economics, environment, native peoples and culture. Closing the park would cut off this education resource.

Information obtained from Gary Lyons, Marshall Sector Superintendent, puts operational costs for July 2008 through June 2009 at around $729,000, with wages and benefits about 87% of the total cost of operations. Income for the same period was $174,757. The resulting deficient is $554,243. However, it should be pointed out that, even if that is the projected deficit, it does not represent what the state will "save"should the park close. Best guess projections would put operating costs of while in closure status at about $200,000. The resulting deficit — or money "saved" would only be about $350,000/annually — a very small amount given the actual state budget.

Since the publication of pending closure, multiple meetings with park officials and Supervisor Briggs have been held, and a two prong strategy developed. One prong focuses on letter writing campaigns, media attention, with a primary focus on getting the schools and school children that visit the park each year involved. This effort is being spearheaded by Lois Fortress and the Gold Discovery Park Association (GDPA).

The second prong involves the financial aspect, and looks at economic impact to the community, solutions to the deficit, and potential partnerships. The Coloma Lotus Chamber of Commerce (CLCC), Marjorie Sanborn, Chamber President, is leading this endeavor.

Not only is the issue of closure an emotional one — the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill precipitated the Gold Rush and is one California's most defining events — it is an issue of public safety. With MSDSHP divided by Hwy 49, it will be virtually impossible to "close" the park. Visitors will continue to stop, and without monitoring and supervision, the potential safety risk and probable continued deterioration of the park is certainly foreseeable.

What You Can Do

Join in our letter writing campaign, and attend public meetings, the details of which can be found at www.keepsuttersmillopen.org. If you are a local business, when you receive your survey about the potential economic impact to your business, complete it. If you are a Facebook member, please join our cause and share the word with your friends.

Updates

The decision(s) about park closures are expected to be made by Labor Day. Even if the park remains on the list, the battle will not be over. We will continue our campaign, and will continue to develop an economic plan that makes long-term sense.

If you are a Chamber member, you will get email updates. Additionally, if you would like to participate in our Economic Impact sub-committee, please contact the Coloma-Lotus Chamber, or call Marjorie at (541) 622-6919.

History is Alive in Coloma

Coloma's characters from the past come to life this summer! On the 3rd Saturday of each month, May through September, come into the historic past through the new Summer Performance Series at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma. Meet some of the colorful and diverse people who set the stage for the powerful and tumultuous history of California. 

On May 16th, Rex Ruth portrays Captain John Charles Fremont. He takes you through his military career with passionate stories of the man who organized the first California Volunteer Militia, became one of the State's first Senators, and was appointed Major General in the Union Army during the Civil War. The Cemetery Players bring to life the stories of those who lived, died, and are buried in the cemeteries of Coloma on June 20th. John Sutter, Sam Brannan, and James Marshall share stories on July 18th around an evening bonfire. Kimberly ShiningStar will be at the Grinding Stone on August 15 with Native American history and storytelling. A grand finale September 19 brings characters from the previous performances together for visitors enjoyment. Signs will be posted in the park for the exact location of each performance.

Each event is from 7:30 to 9:00 pm with free parking beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased the evening of the performance or in advance at the Gold Rush Mercantile in the park. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. Please provide your own seating—bring a blanket or lawn chair and pick your spot.

The Gold Discovery Park Association sponsors this event series and all money raised goes to support the educational and interpretive programs in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. For more information visit the GDPA website, call (530) 622-6198, or email gdpa@marshallgold.org. Come join us in the park, have fun, and help keep Coloma's Gold Rush history alive.

January 24: Gold Discovery Day

The 161st anniversary of James Marshall’s momentous discovery of gold in the tailrace of Sutter’s Mill will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 10 am to 4 pm at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Highway 49, in Coloma.

The day features a gold discovery re-enactment along the American River, at the very site where James Marshall found gold in 1848. The event will have mill carpenter demonstrations at the saw mill, gold panning, cooking, blacksmithing and Gold Rush period music and entertainment. Gold Rush authors will introduce their writings and sign publications at the museum store. In addition to the Gold Discovery festivities, the museum and visitor center will open at 10 AM.

What's it all about? It's an event that changed the world. It started as a piece of ambitious business: in 1847, John Sutter asked James Marshall to build a sawmill along the banks of the American River. Sutter needed lumber for his expanding agricultural enterprises in California’s Sacramento Valley and Marshall, a carpenter, was looking for a job. Marshall and Sutter chose Coloma as the site for the sawmill. It provided a rushing river for power and a forest of pines for lumber. As the sawmill neared completion in January 1848, it became clear that the tailrace, where the water leaves the mill, needed to be deepened. Marshall’s solution was to use the force of the water itself to scour out a deeper channel.

Then came the extraordinary moment. On the morning of January 24, 1848, James Marshall was standing in a shallow pool of water in the tailrace when he noticed a glimmering rock the size of his fingernail. “Hey boys,” he called out to the workmen around him, “by God, I believe I’ve found a gold mine.” It was a moment that was to change the course of history. It was the start of the California Gold Rush -- with all its excitement, pains, and hopes.

Enjoy this special commemorative day, visit the park that features a Miwok Bark House and a Chinese Store, and see park volunteers and docents in period dress bring the gold discovery to life. Parking on this special day is $7 per car. For more information call (530) 622-3470 or (530) 295-2162.

And do come back -- visitors are welcome to visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and enjoy the river, all year round. The Park is open from 8 am to 5 pm, and the Museum is open from 10am to 3pm seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. The Park is located on Hwy 49, between Placerville and Auburn, about 1 hour east of Sacramento. The event is sponsored by the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

Coloma Gold Rush Live October 11, 12 & 13

Come to Coloma — come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 a.m., "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.

In the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park under graceful trees, "Tent Town" will be the site of much of the action. Near the main museum (where there will be food vendors), volunteers in period dress and tents will cook over open fires and demonstrate trades such as spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Wagon rides will be available for hire. And an extra-special feature is free mail service in Tent Town! Folks can write letters (the old-fashioned way) in a General Delivery tent, and mail will be delivered by horse. Experience some of the many cultures that were here at this important time in history through Mexican and Spanish/Californio tents, the Miwok Village, and the Chinese Store museum.

There will be even more fun activity across the street. See a blacksmith at work! John Clagett, Volunteer Coordinator and event organizer, is especially excited about the participation of expert blacksmith and farrier Eron Simmons. Simmons will be demonstrating period blacksmith techniques at the still-functioning Monroe Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Even better, he will be doing so in the character of Pearley Monroe himself! Pearley was a member of the Monroe-Gooch African American family who worked their way out of slavery to become successful and respected in the area. They eventually owned the land that is now the State Park where all these festivities will occur. See "Pearley" on Saturday only!

Also in the park, the historic Thomas and Capini Houses will be open Saturday and Sunday for a special inside look. And for more fun, activity, and history, volunteers all three days will be in the area of Sutter's Mill interpreting the building of the mill, the discovery of gold, and a carpenters' cabin. Even more — right there along the river will be a re-creation of a 1849 mining camp. See it live!

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking and entry fee is only $8 per carload, covering everyone in the car. Times are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Monday. For more information call (530) 295-2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.

Visit the Gold Discovery Park Association website for photographs from previous Gold Rush Live celebrations. All photographs are ©copyright 2004-2008 by Betty Sederquist, and may not be reprinted without her permission. We are grateful to Betty for her generous support of Marshall Park and the Coloma-Lotus community.

Gold Discovery Day at Marshall State Park January 26

The 160th anniversary of James Marshall’s momentous discovery of gold in the tailrace of Sutter’s Mill will be celebrated on January 26, 2008, from 10 am to 4 pm at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Hiway 49, in Coloma.

In 1847, John Sutter asked James Marshall to build a sawmill along the banks of the American River. Sutter needed lumber for his expanding agricultural enterprises in the Sacramento Valley and Marshall, a carpenter, was looking for a job. Marshall and Sutter chose Coloma as the site for the sawmill because of the rushing river for power and a forest of pines for lumber. As the sawmill neared completion in January 1848, James Marshall contemplated its efficiency and made adjustments. Checking his project on the morning of January 24, 1848, James Marshall reached into shallow water at the side of the tailrace. He scooped up a handful of sand, gravel, mud... and a few flakes of golden metal. "Hey boys," he lifted his voice to workmen around him, "by God, I believe I've found a gold mine." It was a moment that was to change the course of history.

Gold Discovery Day will feature a gold discovery reenactment on the banks of the American River. Other activities include mill carpenter demonstrations, a Miwok Village, free wagon rides to Marshall's Cabin, gold panning, and Gold Rush period music and entertainment. Gold Rush authors introduce their writings and sign publications at the museum store. The public is invited to all these activities, free of charge. There is a $7 per car parking fee at the State Park.

California State Parks and Gold Discovery Park Association — a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park — sponsor Gold Discovery Day. Park volunteers and docents in period dress bring the event to life. For more information call 530.622.3470 or click here.

Coloma Gold Rush Live Draws over 1,000 Visitors!

On October 13 and 14 COLOMA GOLD RUSH LIVE took place at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. This event drew more than 1,000 visitors each day, according to Gold Discovery Park Association Director Deb Jensen. She said the small group of event organizers, who have been planning the event since last spring, were very pleased with the turnout and received overwhelmingly favorable feedback from attendees. Much credit goes also to the more than 125 volunteers, who did jobs ranging from crosswalk safety and hospitality, to interpretive historical reenactment. Thank you to all the people who worked to make this a fun and educational day for the public!

Thank you to Betty Sederquist for photos.

Coloma Gold Rush Live October 11, 12 & 13

Come to Coloma - come to the Gold Rush! Expanded to three days this year, Coloma will be full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp show us history. Merchants hawk their wares, musicians play period instruments and sing songs of the early immigrants, and children play games from the 19th century. For these three days, artists make pictures, tools, and clothes, visitors learn how to pan for gold and make candles and rope, and miners tell tales from the goldfields. On Sunday at 11 am "the Rev. Freedom Hawkins," accompanied by Joan Cook on the historic Emmanuel Church organ, calls all visitors to an 1850s church service. All three days, visitors may rub shoulders with adventurers and historical figures, such as James Marshall, who found the nugget that started the California Gold Rush.

In the beautiful Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park under graceful trees, “Tent Town” will be the site of much of the action. Near the main museum (where there will be food vendors), volunteers in period dress and tents will cook over open fires and demonstrate trades such as spinning, weaving, basket making and more. Wagon rides will be available for hire. And an extra-special feature is free mail service in Tent Town! Folks can write letters (the old-fashioned way) in a General Delivery tent, and mail will be delivered by horse. Experience some of the many cultures that were here at this important time in history thorugh Mexican and Spanish/Californio tents, the Miwok Village, and the Chinese Store museum.

There will be even more fun activity across the street. See a blacksmith at work! John Clagett, Volunteer Coordinator and event organizer, is especially excited about the participation of expert blacksmith and ferrier Eron Simmons. Simmons will be demonstrating period blacksmith techniques at the still-functioning Monroe Blacksmith shop on Main Street. Even better, he will be doing so in the character of Pearley Monroe himself! Pearley was a member of the [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1139] Monroe-Gooch African American family that worked their way out of slavery to become successful and respected in the area. They eventually owned the land that is now the State Park where all these festivities will occur. See “Pearley” on Saturday only!

Also in the park, the historic Thomas and Capini Houses will be open Saturday and Sunday for a special inside look. And for more fun, activity, and history, volunteers all three days will be in the area of Sutter's Mill interpreting the building of the mill, the discovery of gold, and a carpenters’ cabin. Even more - right there along the river will be a re-creation of a 1849 mining camp. See it live!

Coloma Gold Rush Live! is presented by Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and the Gold Discovery Park Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the interpretation and conservation of the Park. Parking and entry fee is only $8 per carload, covering everyone in the car. Times are 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday, and 10am-3pm on Monday. For more information call 530.295.2162. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.

Special note: Experienced volunteers are still needed, in the Gold Panning,
Hospitality, and Information Booth areas. If you have experience and want to help, please contact John Clagett at (530) 295-2170.

For more information; click on http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=484 . All photos courtesy Betty Sederquist, http://www.sederquist.com/

Gold Discovery Day a Success

An article in the Metro section of the Sunday Sacramento Bee offered an enticing picture of Saturday's Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

They described the historic recreations and noted the opening of the recently renovated museum:

The campfire's smoke curled up to the gray sky hanging over Coloma. The scent of burning wood cut through the morning chill and enveloped the chattering crowd. Men in buckskin and coonskin caps mingled with women in calico and bonnets. A motorcycle rumbled by, and then a bugle call caught the crowd's attention.

More than 300 people -- some in costume -- gathered Saturday for the unveiling of the renovated museum at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

A new exhibit, complete with dioramas and mannequins, attempts to capture when James Marshall discovered gold at the site where the park now sits. That momentous day was Jan. 24, 1848.

See the full article here.

Mountain man photograph by Betty Sederquist.

Gold Rush Museum Reopening

On Saturday, January 20, 2007, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park will celebrate "Gold Discovery Day," the anniversary of the discovery of gold in the South Fork of the American River on January 24, 1848.

This year's commemoration includes the reopening of the Gold Rush Museum at the Park. Visitors will be able to see the new exhibit of James Marshall in the tail race as he proclaims, "Hey boys, by God, I believe I've found a gold mine."

Gold Discovery Day events always include historic demonstrations, tours, speakers, and Gold Rush music. This year's highlights include "Gold Discovery Before the Rush," beginning at 11 am, with a gold discovery reenactment on the banks of the American River, at the very site where James Marshall found gold in 1848, followed by interpretive presentations at the Mormon Cabin, Sutter's Mill, and the Miner's Cabin. "Gold Discovery Before the Rush" continues at 1 pm.

You will be able to see the site where Marshall discovered gold. At the Mormon Cabin you can watch as mill carpenters make their plans. You will see Sutter and Marshall as they meet at the mill. And at Marshall's cabin you will be able to hear Marshall as he reflects on life after the discovery.

You'll find more information on our Gold Discovery Day page and at the Gold Discovery Park Association website.