Our March 27, 2013, official opening of the DPHS Museum in City Hall was a huge success. An estimated 100 people filled the museum gallery and spilled outside onto the sidewalk on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Our board members and I were presented congratulatory documents for the Historical Society by Mayor Steven Weinberg and the entire City Council on behalf of the City of Dana Point; by Chair Terry Ross on behalf of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce; by Councilman and former DPHS President Carlos N. Olvera on behalf of Supervisor Patricia C. Bates, Orange County Board of Supervisors; by Amy Walker, representing U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa, of California’s 49th Congressional District; by Heather Baez, representing California State Senator Mark Wyland; and by Jody Vaughn, representing Assemblywoman Diane L. Harkey.
The Chamber of Commerce staff, Heather Johnston and Vickie McMurchie, conducted the ribbon cutting ceremony, complete with the large bow and oversized ceremonial scissors to make the opening of our museum official. In addition to the above named VIPs and important city staff members, honored guests graced us with their presence, including Mrs. Dorothy Krill, whose recently donated Hal Akins watercolor was displayed. Jane and David Fernald, daughter and son of Knowlton Fernald, Jr., AIA, were present to view the exhibit of their father’s illustrations and portfolios donated by the family. Also present were architects Ricardo Nicol and Carl Iverson, colleagues of Knowlton Fernald, Jr., who worked with him on Monarch Bay projects.
Our members and guests expressed interest in the museum gallery exhibits organized, researched and displayed by Exhibits Chair Kirsten Reynolds and her committee and enjoyed the appetizers and drinks provided by Program Chair Ann Shultz, Max Brown, Robert Shultz and Jim Miller. An entertaining door prize drawing was held and gifts awarded by Regina Barnes, Ross Teasley and Rene Cortez.
The grand opening of the museum gallery was a rewarding event, and the result of many hours of volunteer service to move items in and out of storage, and to clean, edit and organize. I am inspired by the hours volunteered by our members, the help City Manager Doug Chotkevys and the city staff have provided us, as well as the material and financial donations made by our members to make it all happen. Donations, including a watercolor, architect’s papers and funds earned by the Dana Point Youth Board, demonstrate faith in our mission to preserve Dana Point’s heritage for future generations. The DPHS Board and I hope you are inspired to volunteer to be a museum docent and to help with the October Home Tour, our major annual fundraiser. In the meantime, remember to enjoy our newly updated web site at danapointhistorical.org and we hope to see you at the dedication of the Doris I. Walker Tribute in Heritage Park on April 16 at 1 pm. My thanks for all you do in supporting our mission.
Barbara Force Johannes