Waila music, archaeology, albondigas, homesteading stories, migration routes, and a spiritual healer…are all part of a six-week series of coming events portraying the unique influences that shaped the early growth of the area we now know as Santa Cruz County. Hosted by the Patagonia Library and organized by librarian Abbie Zeltzer, the project is part of the Smithsonian Institute’s “Museum on Main Street,” a traveling exhibition which seeks to bring “revitalized attention to underserved rural communities” through a re-creation of the stories that are a part of their history.
Beginning on January 4, Cady Hall will house an exhibition put together by the Smithsonian, titled “Journey Stories.” The exhibition describes our ancestors’ experiences as they came to America from other cultures seeking a new life in a new land, and the impact of this immigration on the development of transportation technology. In conjunction with the exhibition, there will be a calendar of events that includes dramatic, musical and historical presentations, guided tours of the historic Empire Ranch, and an exhibit titled “A Woven Journey,” to be housed in the main entry area of the Patagonia Library.
“A Woven Journey,” curated by Elise Misiorowski, is a presentation of narrative and visual displays portraying the history of immigration and transportation in Santa Cruz County. The exhibition is organized around three themes: the interaction of people and cultures, the impact of the railroad, and the importance of our water supply from Sonoita Creek and the Santa Cruz River.
Misiorowski, who has curated many national exhibits, says that in researching this project, she realized that the importance of water is woven into all aspects of this area’s development, beginning with an influx of settlers who arrived here from other parts of the U.S. and Mexico in the late 1800s. She describes the area back then as spring-fed wetlands dotted with small areas of tall grass. To add to the grassland and create home sites, the ranchers drained water from the low-lying areas and brought in over a million head of cattle to graze. Overgrazing and lack of water conservation proved to be devastating when the area experienced a period of drought. The display portrays the ways in which cycles of plentiful rainfall and drought have continued to shape the growth of this area since that time.
Saul Leiberman designed and built large panels for the presentation of “A Woven Journey”, which also includes artwork by Rhonda Brew. The entire project was conceived by Abbie Zeltzer, who procured the “Museum on Main Street” exhibit with grant monies and has been working on preparations for its presentations and events for nearly a year. Many local residents have contributed their time, talents, and collections to the project, and Zeltzer says she has been amazed to see how many people have come forward to help in putting it together.
Journey Stories will offer a series of 11 events from January 4 through February 16. All are free of charge. Watch for fliers announcing each event, to be posted soon.