March 2024 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
Debbie Benson
Dear March – Come in, How glad I am, I hoped for you before, Put down your hat, You must have walked, How out of breath you are — Emily Dickenson
As we enter a time of seasonal change, the greening of our hills and the blooming flowers, though somewhat unusual, remind us of the living that has been carrying on all winter. One cannot help but feel that change is now on the move. The early flowers that cannot seem to wait, are giving us the energy to appreciate and enjoy them. I enjoy seeing our gardens come to a greater activity as the lizards spend more days in the sun as the sand and rocks become warmer. The plant life under the care of our garden volunteers, shows us daily how pleasant it is to walk through the paths. The occasional cottontail silent under a creosote and our attendant hummingbird sitting at the very top of a desert willow. The work done by the volunteers is worth so very much and is appreciated by all.
We have work we continue to do, both inside the museum and out, and we appreciate the support and donations from our membership to ensure they happen. We have so many positive irons in the fire right now and it is the membership that makes it happen. We also appreciate the work of the docents and volunteers to put on events to support and encourage families to come visit. This is for our community and its visitors and we are glad to be able to share.
On March 23 at 3 pm we have our Annual Membership meeting. Hope to see you!
Be well, take care, and enjoy the Spring vistas!
Please find our March 2024 Newsletter below
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History of the Kawaiisu
Presentation: History of the Kawaiisu People in the Ridgecrest Area Sunday, February 25, 2 pm
David Laughing Horse Robinson will present topics that provide a glimpse into how the Kawaiisu lived, their culture, art, science, and religion. Born and raised in Kern County, CA, where his native elders taught him the traditions and knowledge of his tribe. This includes an understanding of the role of the petroglyphs, pictographs, and geoglyphs as an ancient source of knowledge for the Kawaiisu.
February 2024 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
Debbie Benson
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller
There are times I question if February, much like January 2024, will be a bit confusing as to what season it is. After a winter that did not, as of yet, hold us in ice for a time, there are plants that have bloomed and already seeded from the heavy rains last summer. We’re already enjoying waist-high mustard plants that have thick stalks and dark rich leaves. It’s all very interesting but does raise the question of the coming activities of spring growth. We are optimistic about the wildflowers!
Here at the Museum, it is good to see the work done to keep our gardens ready for the coming warmer seasons and many weeds cleared. A great job was done on the last clean-up but the request was made to come to pull weeds when possible or join us on February 2 at 10 am-12 noon to celebrate Groundhog Day and help clear the grounds. Either way, the help is always appreciated!
This is an active time of year when we start planning more outside tours and activities. Please watch our website and check out our events. If planning some outings of your own and would like some ideas on where to go, we have information and books in the Gift Store as well as some great advice. Make sure to have your photo-taking device charged and ready; there is much to see!
March 23 at 3 pm. will be Maturango Museum’s Annual Meeting. We will be meeting in person at the Museum. Next month we will publish more information about this event but we hope to see you there! Thank you for your help and support for these many years and your belief in the importance of what we do and contribute to our community. You make all the difference. We hope you will have a chance to stop by and see.
My best to you all!
Please find our February 2024 Newsletter below
Download the Newsletter Now
January 2024 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
Debbie Benson
“Kindness is the connection that links us all together and strengthens the bonds within our communities, neighborhoods, and families.” Rosalynn Carter
As we leap into 2024 there is that moment of silence when we remember the generosity shown to us. The kindnesses that have helped us through to this day. We open our calendars to see this next year of days. We will fill them with the activities of living with those around us. This year gives us that extra day to fill with care for our family and friends and for ourselves. It may be a walk in the beautiful outdoors or possibly volunteering for something you believe in. It brings up the thought of how to spend that extra 24 hours in 2024. It’s very possible it could be more fun than you think!
Thank you to each person who volunteers for and helps the Museum in any way possible. As a local non-profit who is not supported by any governmental entity, you are the ones to make a difference not only to the Museum but to our community of neighbors.
Happy New Year! Be well, be safe, and take care. Our best to you all!
Please find our January 2024 Newsletter below
Download the Newsletter Now
Sidewinder, Simply the Best Heat-Seeking Missile Ever
In September 2004, The Technical Library on the base started a monthly lecture series called “Have I Got a Story for You!” The series ran for close to 30 months. The lectures were given by scientists and engineers from the base. Each lecture was on a topic of historical interest such as “Solving the Mystery of the Roseville Bomb Train”, “Remembering the 9/11 Attack on the Pentagon from Someone Who Was There”, and “Combustion Hazards and Small Scale Testing”. All the lectures were videotaped. All the lectures were approved for public release.
For our December 7 video, we will be showing the 21st lecture of that series, “Sidewinder, Simply the Best Heat-Seeking Missile Ever” presented by Dr. Bob Smith. Bob, who is now retired and is currently heavily involved in the China Lake Museum next door to us, will be present to talk about that lecture and update any information that he gave back in 2006.
The video will be screened in the Coso Room at the Maturango Museum. As always, admission, popcorn and sodas are free. Donations are sincerely appreciated. Seating is limited, doors open at 6:15 pm.
December 2023 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
Debbie Benson
Traveling for the holidays brings those we care for closer for a time. One of the greatest gifts being the discovery of new adventures. The directions sometimes being as simple as, turn left at the sign and drive until you find peace. The drive itself becomes part of the discovery.
Coming home gives that sense of familiar return and the thought of places one could give a visitor. Directions to exploration, experiences filled with amazement and perhaps unexpected peace.
Our best to you during this final month of 2023. Thank you all for your care. On to a New Year!
Please find our December 2023 Newsletter below
Download the Newsletter Now
The Town, the People, and the Gold- Bodie, CA
Bodie
“The town, the people and the gold – the history and tall tales from a California ghost town”
On November 9, 2023, at 6:30 pm, Gary Staab will give a presentation on the ghost town of Bodie and the adventures he had there as a State Park aide.
In the summer of 1859, W. S. Bodey and ‘Black’ Taylor filed a claim after finding a placer deposit in the hills 10 miles north of Mono Lake, in what became known as the Bodie Mining District. This single and seemingly meek gold strike was to become the focus point of many prospectors over the next 15 years, each searching for that vein of gold that would make men rich. Meanwhile, other strikes like those in Virginia City, Aurora, and Cerro Gordo competed for men and women seeking fame and fortune throughout the 1860s and into the 1870s.
Although the mining activity was slow compared to other mining districts, it was relatively consistent. That all changed in 1875 when a very large deposit of gold ore was discovered by accident. Prospectors came by the hundreds, followed by saloon keepers and business proprietors of everything imaginable while investors stood in line to capture some of this newfound wealth coming out of the hills around Bodie. This bonanza gave birth to a town of 1,000 buildings and 7,000 residents within two years that included a Chinatown on the north end and a horse race track on the south end of town.
Arrastras were replaced with state-of-the-art stamp mills with equipment that was transported from San Francisco via train and mule teams. The boilers used to power this equipment in the mills and mines required 20 cords of firewood each day that had to be harvested and brought to town by the Chinese and their mules. In 1881 a railway was built to bring wood up from the south side of Mono Lake to keep up with the demands of a growing community. However, within the first 12 months of the railway’s operation, Bodie’s population declined as new gold strikes became scarce.
Bodie’s decline progressed with the help of two large fires and economic downturns resulting in mining being reduced to only the most productive of the mines on Bodie Bluff. In the face of economic hardships and a dwindling population, the Standard Mill and Mining Company sought out more efficient and less costly methods to operate and extract gold. In 1892, the mines and mill were converted to electricity and two years later, the cyanide process was introduced to recover additional gold.
All mining operations ceased in 1942 by order of the U.S. Government and most of the remaining people in town left to seek new employment. A handful of residents remained until the State of California purchased the town site and designated it a Historical Park in 1962.