Tam Hiking Tours

09/27/2023

The Mill Valley Historical Society /First Wednesday Lecture Series presents THIS IS HOME: THE STORY OF WAR WORLD II MARINSHIP AND THE LEGACY OF MARIN CITY, WITH FELECIA GASTON

Wednesday, October 4th | Outdoor Amphitheater - 4:30pm
FREE OUTDOOR EVENT https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/11296134

Join us for a conversation with Felecia Gaston as she reveals the untold stories and experiences of what Marin City’s Black population endured for 80 years while highlighting the community’s character, dignity, and pride from the 1940s to the present. Learn how Marin City came to be, its development over time, social activism, and what it means to call Marin City home. Visit preservemarincitylegacy.org to learn more about efforts to preserve this legacy.

FELECIA GASTON is the founder of Performing Stars of Marin and the Marin City Historical and Preservation Society. She is author of a brand new start...this is home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City. A lifelong social activist, Gaston has received multiple awards recognizing her work, including the Ruby Award, KPIX-Channel 5 Jefferson Award, and the Marin Human Rights Commission – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

Please note: there is only amphitheater bench seating available for this event. Please bring a folding chair and/or blanket for more comfortable seating. Registration recommended. Click here to register online. https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/11296134 For more information, call (415) 389-4292 or visit millvalleylibrary.org

07/27/2023

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙉 𝘾𝙊𝙐𝙉𝙏𝙔 𝙋𝙊𝙊𝙍 𝙁𝘼𝙍𝙈 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙔 with Ranger Mike Warner
Wednesday, August 2nd at 7:00 pm Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Virtual Event
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In 1880 the Marin County Board of Supervisors purchased a plot of 94 acres of land in Lucas Valley to be set aside as the Marin County Poor Farm and Cemetery, and attendant County Hospital for “indigents.” The facility would provide food and shelter for many of Marin County's poor, elderly, and ill throughout its 83 years of service. As observed by historian Marilyn Geary, “poor farms were sort of the 19th century alternative to homelessness.” Many of the residents who passed away were buried in the cemetery, as was anyone in Marin whose body went unclaimed or whose family was unable to pay for a burial. This included children of mixed race, u***d mothers and San Quentin prisoners. According to cemetery records, there are 287 burials on the site, mostly unmarked, and this number may be much higher. The Marin County Poor Farm included a working dairy farm and orchard, by which the residents produced their own food as the County did not allow them to eat at the County’s expense without contributing to the overall efforts. The three residential dormitories could accommodate up to 135 individuals, and the hospital had room for 40 patients, including those with mental illness and incurable diseases. Join Mike Warner for a presentation on the history of the facility and many of the stories about some of its residents and those buried at the site even still to this day. Some of the recent research and preservation efforts will also be highlighted.

𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗥 is a native of Novato and graduated from San Marin High School in 2007. Mike has a degree in Geography from Sonoma State University, with concentrations in Historical Geography and GIS Mapping. Mike was a Park Ranger for Marin County Park’s Open Space District for nearly a decade and is currently the Supervising Ranger with the City of Palo Alto’s Foothills and Arastradero Nature Preserves. He is an active member of the Marin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. His passion for many years has been the researching of different history topics around Marin County and the Bay Area which he shares through programs for the public.
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No Charge. Registration REQUIRED to receive the zoom link for this event. Register now at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10937631
For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org

06/24/2023

"𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙄𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙎 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝘼𝙉 𝙁𝙍𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙄𝙎𝘾𝙊 𝘽𝘼𝙔" with Brian Crawford Wednesday, July 5th at 7:00 pm

Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday FREE Virtual Event

There are several islands in San Francisco Bay that none of us will ever see: Arch Rock, S**g Rock, and Agnes Island are just a few of these “lost islands.” From scenic vistas to tragic tales, each of these islands has a unique story to tell. While some were built over, most were considered hazards to marine navigation and were blasted away in spectacular explosions. Join historian Brian K. Crawford to learn the histories of these islands and the many vessels that came to grief on them. Hear about the various ways they served communities in the Bay Area and the massive engineering efforts that took place to remove them.

𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗞. 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗪𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗, is an author, historian and open-space activist living in Marin County. Born in Ohio in 1947, Crawford attended Ohio State and Antioch College but dropped out and went to Haight-Ashbury for the Summer of Love. Crawford has published three novels, three collections of short stories, three memoirs of his adventures and eight books on Marin history.

Registration REQUIRED at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10881968 to receive the zoom link for this event.

For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org
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"BLOWING UP BLOSSOM ROCK, SAN FRANCISCO HARBOR" - From a Sketch by L. M. Townsend

06/06/2023

Mill Valley: The Song Heard 'Round the World' with Rita Abrams
The Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday
𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩!
June 7, 2023 @ 6pm-7:30pm

On a balmy Christmas Day in 1969, Rita Abrams sat down on the bench next to the Mill Valley Greyhound Bus Depot (now the Plaza) to write a little song that, thanks to producer Erik Jacobsen, was to make her, the Strawberry Point School Third Grade Class, and Mill Valley itself famous. But more important was the emotional impact it has had on so many people worldwide. Join us as Rita shares memories and stories about her iconic song and its remarkable journey across the world.

𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦, first came to Mill Valley in 1968 as a teacher for Strawberry Point School. Her awards include two Emmys, CBS Record of the Year, ASCAP, Sony Gold Record and Associated Press Best Video. Theater honors include four SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards (U.S. premiere of "Pride and Prejudice, The Musical"; "Aftershocks"; "New Wrinkles"; and "For Whom the Bridge Tolls"). Rita’s "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus" musical was a “Top Ten Best New Show” in the Las Vegas Review Journal. And it all started with that little song.

Please join us for our first in-person event in three years, at the Mill Valley Library outdoor amphitheater. Seating is limited please bring chairs.

No Charge. Registration REQUIRED at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10705749
For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org

04/03/2023

"𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮" with Tim Amyx Wednesday, April 5th at 7:00 pm
Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Virtual Event.

Join us as Tim Amyx “walks” us through the history of the Mill Valley Historical Society. Soon after Lucretia Little donated her large collection of historical documents, photographs and artifacts, establishing the Mill Valley Public Library Lucretia Hanson Little History Room, the Mill Valley Historical Society was formed. Working in close collaboration with the Library, the Historical Society has used the collection to help bring local history to life.
Using oral histories, photographs, maps, graphics, insights, and anecdotes, Tim will share the history of the Historical Society’s early founders and its 45-year evolution into the vital and essential organization we enjoy today.

𝗧𝗜𝗠 𝗔𝗠𝗬𝗫, is a member of the Tamalpais High School Class of 1977. A self-described local history-junkie, Tim’s passion for history also includes that of California and the United States. A member of the Mill Valley Historical Society for 30 years,Tim joined the MVHS Board of Directors in 2000, and served as President from 2008-20012. As a MVHS “Walk Into History” guide for 20 years (and counting), Tim continues to share his love and enthusiasm for Mill Valley History.
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No Charge. Registration REQUIRED at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10172756 to receive the zoom link for this event.
For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org

02/26/2023

"𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣'𝙨 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨" with Mike Moyle Wednesday, March 1st at 7:00 pm Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Virtual Event *********************************************** Since the early 19th century, the Portuguese American community has had a significant impact on Southern Marin. Arriving first as crew members on New England whaling ships, later immigrants followed and became active in Marin’s early businesses, particularly dairy ranches. By 1888, the community formed a fraternal organization, today’s IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center. Mike will discuss this history, with emphasis on the cluster of over 30 Portuguese dairies at the southern end of the county, and also touch on the “Marin Dairy Project,” which has identified almost 400 dairies that have operated throughout the county. Among them is the one in the photo accompanying this post, the Louis Moraes Dairy which sat just west of Highway 1010 and of the current Tiburon Boulevard / East Blithedale overpass between Tiburon and Mill Valley.
𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗬𝗟𝗘, a Hawaii native, has been a Sausalito resident for over forty years. Previously a partner at a SF international law firm specializing in US/Japan business transactions, he became active in local history, primarily through the Sausalito Historical Society, and as the lead historian at the Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center. He is now collaborating with historian Dewey Livingston on a project to identify all Marin County dairies. Mike is a highly engaging speaker, and we're looking forward to hearing from him!
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No Charge. Registration REQUIRED at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10320254 to receive the zoom link for this event.
For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org
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Photo Courtesy of Mike Moyle - Louis Moraes Dairy at the Alto Wye

01/04/2023

Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Virtual Event: 𝙃𝙄𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝘼𝙍𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙏𝘼𝙂𝙀 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙀𝙇𝙑𝙀𝘿𝙀𝙍𝙀 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙄𝘽𝙐𝙍𝙊𝙉, with Dave Gotz. February 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm

The Tiburon Peninsula, which includes the Town of Tiburon and the City of Belvedere, is the largest part of the Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio (the ranch that cuts wood for the Presidio), granted to John Thomas Reed in 1834 by the Mexican government. Initially an agrarian society of cattle ranches and dairy farms, with the arrival of a railroad and ferry terminus at Point Tiburon in 1884 the Peninsula became an industrial and maritime center, as well as a residential and tourist destination. Join us as Dave Gotz explores the many industries and pastimes that evolved along the shores of this scenic part of the North Bay with rare and historic photos from the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society's collection.

DAVE GOTZ has been the archivist for the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society since 2009, and became the third Town of Tiburon Historian in 2015. He continues to make short films about Tiburon Peninsula history utilizing the vast collection of photos and historic information contained in the Landmarks' Archives.

No Charge.
Registration is REQUIRED to receive the zoom link for this free event. https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/10007189

For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org

Photo - 1907 Tiburon Port and Railroad Depot

Due to stormy weather, this event must be postponed. When a new date is settled on, this event will be updated. There will be no need to re-register. ...

12/01/2022

The Mill Valley Historical Society/First Wednesday Speaker Series presents a free online event!

Village Music: The Best Little Record Store in the World, with John Goddard. December 7, 2022 @ 7pm

Known far and wide for its vast catalogue of LPs and music memorabilia, John Goddard’s Village Music was a destination for collectors of vintage vinyl records. Under his ownership, Village Music transformed into a hotspot for local and international celebrities, such as Grateful Dead band members and George Lucas, as well as casual record collectors. The list of stars who visited Village Music is a virtual who’s who of American roots music. Join us as we delve into the shelves and stories of one of the most revered record stores in the world.

Born and raised in Marin, Goddard had an active Mill Valley childhood, participating in numerous clubs and sports. His love for music also blossomed at this time. He began working at the local music store, Village Music, as a teenager. Sarah Wilcox, original owner of Mill Valley Village Music, was set to sell the business to a retired sheet music salesman when he died of a heart attack on the way to sign the papers. Goddard, having dropped out of college at the same time, returned to the store as manager, eventually buying the business in February 1968 at the age of 24, and the rest is history.

Please pre-register for this free event to receive the zoom link. https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/9881400

10/28/2022

THE MILL VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS
A MILL VALLEY LIBRARY FREE VIRTUAL EVENT
November 2, 2022 @ 7pm

PRUNE MUSIC: SO MUCH MORE THAN A MUSIC STORE!
In the 1960s and 70s Mill Valley was a bastion of musical creativity and performance. Prune Music, located at 10 Locust Avenue, was in the right place at the right time and became the meeting spot for many of the Bay Area’s musicians. Join us as Prune Music founders

DAVID KESSNER co-founded Prune Music in Berkeley in 1968 with Randy Smith. He opened Prune Music in Mill Valley on Sunnyside in 1969. Later he owned and operated The Church Studio in San Anselmo from 1972 to 1979. He still performs and writes songs for movies and TV.

RANDALL SMITH co-founded Prune Music. A leading guitar amplifier repairman and innovator and inventor of numerous amp technologies, Randall also founded amp manufacturer Mesa/Boogie.

BILL STEELE met David Kessner and Randy Smith at Prune Music in 1968 at the Berkeley store and joined them in their new adventure in Mill Valley. In 2005 Bill co-founded Great Wilderness, a conservation nonprofit working in South America. Bill also serves on the Board of Directors for West Marin Community Services.

LARRY CRAGG was Prune Music’s guitar repairman. He spent thirty-five years touring as Neil Young’s guitar and amp tech and was the baritone sax player in “Neil Young & the Bluenotes.” He currently serves as a consultant on development of the new Magnatone amplifiers, has a guitar repair shop in San Anselmo, and owns Vintage Instrument Rental.

Registration required. https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/9753605
Registrants will be sent a Zoom Link with registration confirmation.
For more information, call (415) 389-4292 or visit millvalleylibrary.org

09/27/2022

I'm delighted the Mill Valley Historical Society has resumed our First Wed. Speaker Series. Please join us next week for
"𝙂𝙃𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙋𝙎 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙣 𝙁𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤 𝘽𝙖𝙮" with Pat Broderick

Wednesday, October 5th at 7:00 pm
Mill Valley Historical Society First Wednesday Virtual Event

The first ship to enter the San Francisco Bay was the Spanish packet San Carlos, commanded by Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Aylala, on August 5, 1775. The San Carlos departed September 18, 1775. Since that day, not all ships have departed the Bay or arrived successfully. How many shipwrecks lie scattered on the floor of the Bay, or in nearby waters or landfill? Few of us are aware of these relics from San Francisco's maritime past, many forgotten for a century or more. Yet, every day Bay Area residents pass over long-buried ships. Some MUNI riders even tunnel through a ship on their daily commutes. This evening's talk will visit some of the steam schooners, Gold Rush ships, Golden Gate wrecks, and U.S. Navy ships that forever remain "ghosts" in our waters, in not in our memories.

𝗣𝗔𝗧 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞 has sailed on San Francisco Bay since 1971. He became interested in San Francisco Bay nautical archeology when a tug boat engineer neighbor came home with wine bottles from a Gold Rush era ship uncovered by construction along the old Embarcadero.

No Charge. Registration REQUIRED at https://millvalleylibrary.libcal.com/event/9683596 in order to receive the zoom link for this event.
For more information, 415-389-4292 or millvalleylibrary.org * ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛᴇꜱʏ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴀᴛ ʙʀᴏᴅᴇʀɪᴄᴋ