Our March/April 2022 newsletter is now online! This edition includes a message from President Barbara Steck introducing our new Board of Directors. Also included, “Fairview Declines,” a continuation of “A Town Called Fairview” from our last newsletter, and remembering Dave Gardner, Gladys Refakes, and Ursula Hartunian.
As some of you may have already noticed, we’re updating our online gift shop! There are still many more items to be uploaded, so be sure to keep checking back in here.
If you don’t see something on the online shop that you’re sure we sell, please give us a call! It’s likely that it’s still in the queue to be uploaded.
This Sunday March 27, Council Member Arlis Reynolds will be hosting a community bike ride to celebrate Women’s History Month. The 8-mile ride will highlight women-owned businesses throughout the city, and will start and finish at the Costa Mesa Historical Society!
For more information, please contact arlis.reynolds@costamesaca.gov
Last month, with the help of Renee Pina, we premiered our calendar highlighting historic homes in Eastside Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa Television had the opportunity to tour ones of these beautiful houses. Join them as they walk through 280 Magnolia, November’s featured home, and learn about the unique history of this interesting property!
The city of Costa Mesa’s YouTube page has released a new web series “Costa Mesa Flashback” that highlights certain elements of our town’s history. Published on Fridays in honor of #FlashbackFriday, the series so far has covered the history of Costa Mesa’s schools, how Costa Mesa got its name, and the origins of Goat Hill and Mackerel Flats.
In addition to the Fairview Register, we’ll now be uploading issues of The Cadet online. The Cadet is the newsletter for the historical society’s SAAAB Wing. Topics include “Heroes Hall”, “North American Aviation”, “The Motorcycle Patrol”, and more!
Our November/December 2021 newsletter is now online! Topics include “Mr. Siegel Remembers”, “Memoirs of a War Bride”, “Christmas Cards of Yesteryear,” and more.
Our October 2021 newsletter is now online! Topics include “Society Elections”, “1966 Highlights”, “Got Ghosts?”, and more.
Our September 2021 newsletter is now online! Topics include “Peggy Gardner,” “Down Memory Lane”, and “The Gibson’s and Their Jersey Dairy”.
From the OC Fair & Event Center:
“On display Feb. 16 through Sept. 18, 2022
On Feb. 16, 2022, Heroes Hall Museum will open a new special exhibit called Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II. Produced by The National WWII Museum, the exhibit features artifacts, photographs and oral histories to highlight some of the extraordinary achievements and challenges of African Americans during World War II, both overseas and on the Home Front.
In the years before World War II, African Americans in many parts of the country were treated as second-class citizens. Discriminatory practices were condoned by the government, and African Americans were systematically denied many rights and liberties by laws that kept them in positions of inferiority. Due to the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision in 1896, the United States was a nation where “separate but equal” was law in many states. In addition, many military leaders declared African Americans unfit to serve in combat. However, once the war began, thousands rushed to enlist, determined to fight for freedom, while still being denied equality at home.
On display through September 18, 2022, Fighting for the Right to Fight illustrates how hopes for securing equality inspired many to enlist, the discouraging reality of the segregated non-combat roles given to black recruits, and the continuing fight for “Double Victory” that laid the groundwork for the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Heroes Hall Museum will host an opening ceremony to commemorate the exhibit. The event will feature speakers, performances and kids activities.
When: Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at 11 a.m.
Where: Heroes Hall at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa
Cost: Free admission and parking. A complimentary light lunch will be provided to the first 200 people who RSVP. (We’re sorry, the lunch option has hit capacity but the public is still invited to join us for the event!)”