It’s official. It’s on the way.
Several years in the planning, a Santa Maria Valley Native Plant Garden is about to be installed—not all at once—around the Natural History Museum, the historic Hart House, on McClelland Street, across from the library.
On Saturday afternoon, July 19, more than 40 museum board members, donors, docents, volunteers, and museum supporters gathered to watch a crew wearing hard hats and wielding gold-painted shovels (that’s gold painted—not plated) in the back lot.
Everyone then adjourned to the museum porch for a lunchtime repast of sandwiches, pizza, pasta salad, wine, and soft drinks served in a cloud of camaraderie with background music provided by a DJ.
The mood was mellow and upbeat as lovers of plants and animals convened to celebrate both the occasion and a perfect summer afternoon.
The guest who traveled the farthest to be there was NYC resident and museum donor Penelope Hartnell. She is great-great-granddaughter of William Hartnell, who was one of the early Orcutt Hill oil lease owners.
Representing donor Pacific Coast Energy Company were Dick Hart (vice president of operations) and Jim Bray (public and government affairs manager).
Alex Posada (director of the city’s Recreation and Parks Department), Chris Slaughter (interim executive director of the Discovery Museum, just a hop, skip, and a jump up the street), and Tom and Mary Housel (she is the city librarian) were on the scene.
Georgia Schrager, former chairperson of the Native Garden Committee, wouldn’t have missed this for anything. Her husband Dr. Michael Schrager came to watch her help break ground in the back.
Virginia Egelund, Laura Diaz, Dave Siminski, Liz Weinman, and tree expert Bailey Hudson—all involved with museum—were part of the crowd, as were board members Tahir Masood (president), Lora Carter (vice president), David Neace (treasurer), Carlos Lesne, Alicia Wolff, Sherri Banta, and Audrey Guerra.
Intrepid environmental warrior Bill Denneen was on hand for the groundbreaking. It has been ages since I have seen this passionate preservationist. Still going strong, he told me, “I will be 90 on my next birthday.”
Also present was Rena Perry, who was instrumental in founding the museum, in honor of her late husband, Sam Perry, a Santa Maria nature-loving native. She and daughter Virginia Perry Souza enjoyed this milestone in the museum’s evolution.
Of course, the ceremony would not have been complete without local historian Shirley Contreras and her son Joe.
This is indeed a very a small museum, but per square inch, it packs an informational and educational wallop. There is much to savor.
In the midst of serious hobnobbing, I did not have time to watch the time-line video in the back room. I spied Virginia Perry Souza talking about the video with the Wildling Museum Executive Director Stacey Otte.
If you have a yen to see a majestic blue heron or a Canadian grizzly bear (both deceased and stuffed), drop by the museum, a short walk from the mall. Ditto if you want your kids and grandkids to observe, up close, an albatross, pelican, and beaver.
Here’s some fun news: Admission to this little gem of a museum is free.
It is open from 11 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jul 24-31, 2014.