NEW YORK -- California is in the midst of a three-year series of
events called the Sesquicentennial, which commemorates gold
discovery, the Gold Rush and California's statehood.
The theme for 1999 is California's Rich Heritage.
The Sesquicentennial kicked off last year on Gold Discovery Day,
Jan. 24, 1998. The date marked the 150th anniversary of James
Marshall's discovery in Coloma Valley that led to the Gold Rush of
1849, and the largest voluntary human migration in history.
Events and activities include a tall ship flotilla up the coast
of California with maritime re-enactments and a Pony Express
journey from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento.
California's rich blend of natural, historic and cultural
resources will be commemorated throughout the year. The theme for
2000 will be California's Statehood and Vision.
California's past and present will be recognized through events
such as a re-enactment of the signing of California's constitution
in Monterey. Cities that existed prior to California's admittance
to the Union will be honored during the year's activities.
The following are highlights of the celebration:
Mervyn's California Gold Rush Race. In commemoration of the
150th anniversary of California's Gold Rush, tall ships from around
the world will come to California. This grand maritime event will
be launched in San Francisco during the weekend of July 2 to 5.
That gathering will be followed by a tall ship race to Long
Beach/Los Angeles and another weekend celebration July 9 to 12. The
vessels will then cruise together to a final gathering in the port
of San Diego on the weekend of July 16 to 19. The weekend
celebrations will provide opportunities to attend a myriad of port
activities such as ship visits, harbor festivities and gala events
reflecting California's diverse cultures.California or Bust! Several wagon trains will be traveling to
and through California, commemorating the Gold Rush
Sesquicentennial.Going for the Gold. A Mormon wagon train will travel through
six states along the California Gold Rush Trail from St. Joseph,
Mo., April 24 to Sept. 4. For details, contact Western Trails Wagon
Train at (402) 746-3607; fax (403) 746-3656.The California Trail Gold Rush Wagon Train of the 49ers. Led by
women, this wagon train will retrace the route used by the 49ers,
beginning in Independence, Mo. It will begin in the spring and be
completed sometime in the fall. For details, contact Morris Carter
at (307) 266-4868; fax (307) 237-6010.Wagon Train. Wagon master Frank Long of Mariposa, Calif., will
oversee the June 24 convergence of eight historical wagon trains
from throughout California for the California Sesquicentennial
Wagon Train. More than 70 wagons will make the trek from Camanche
Reservoir, near Clements, Calif., to meet the tall ship California
at the port of Stockton, June 27. The Mariposa County History
Centers and Museums provide valuable insights into the most
impressive migration of people in history. Long is a fascinating
character who remembers the days when "animal-motive" power was the
mode of transportation. He is one of the few who remember the
jerk-line driving technique, writing about it in the commemorative
publication of the Sesquicentennial Wagon Train.The California Experience. The signature event of the
Sesquicentennial commemoration in 2000, the California Experience
includes an IMAX film that will be shown in 13 California cities
and as many as 100 theaters worldwide. Other components of the
California Experience include A Taste of California, an event that
showcases California's lifestyle, wine and cuisine, and a traveling
multimedia museum exhibit. The project is a joint effort to promote
both tourism and economic development on an international scale
while providing an in-state vehicle to celebrate the 150th
anniversary of California's statehood.Golden State Museum. Just opened in June, the Golden State
Museum brings to life the story of California since statehood.
Rather than being chronological, its arrangement is topical, with
four exhibit gallery themes: the Place, the People, the Promise and
the Politics of California. The Place, the first of the four
galleries, interprets California's diverse landscape and the
balance between the natural world and society. The People gallery
tells of the journey and arrival of people from all over the world
to California, and the development of the communities they call
home. A striking and colorfulceiling mural links the Promise gallery's "golden
opportunities," which have drawn settlers to California since the
Gold Rush. The panorama of opinion and innovation that marked
California's formation as a state and its political scene since
then frames the exhibits of the Politics gallery. The museum
occupies the first two floors of the California Archives building
in Sacramento.