St. Helena Historical Society

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Photographs on this page by: Mariam Hansen

 "Spirits of St. Helena" -
St. Helena Cemetery Tour

(November 4, 2006)
 
The fourth annual St. Helena Cemetery Walk took place on Nov 4, 2006. The event was blessed with beautiful weather, a record crowd and kudos from all who attended. Student Alec Wittscheibe from the St. Helena High Video Production class, filmed the re-enactors for posterity.

Pat Chiles Schlabes described her ancestor Joseph Ballinger Chiles and brought original portraits of him and his wife, along with other artifacts to share. Chiles was one of the first settlers in Napa Valley and a valley is named after him. He blazed many trails for the pioneers who crossed the plains to California.

Marvin Collins was Judge Serranus Hastings, first chief justice of the California Supreme Court, founder of Hastings Law School and a major grapegrower in his day.

Gwen Becker told of John Loughborough, who was the first Seventh Day Adventist preacher in California. During his life he helped spread the Adventist faith as an author, by preaching, and by founding many sanitariums, colleges, hospitals, and publishing houses.

Kathy Kernberger told of Wesley Jennings, one of the first African-American residents of St. Helena He was a World War I survivor, who built the first radio in town. When the ball games were on, every man in town went to his house. His wife Eva was Citizen of the Year in 1975.

Connie Kay portrayed Sophie Mitchell, wife of Presbyterian Minister James Mitchell and a renowned botanical watercolorist. Sophie came from Sweden with her stepfather Sven Alstrom, who owned White Sulphur Springs and built the St. Helena Hotel. Connie is a real life watercolorist and painted during the tour.

Mariam Hansen portrayed Laurel Fay Gandil. Her husband Chick Gandil was the ringleader in the 1919 fix of the World Series. Gamblers conspired with him and the Chicago White Sox to lose the series to the Cincinnati Reds. Gandil pocketed $35,000 from the scheme, became a plumber and died in Calistoga in 1970.

Betty Studebaker portrayed Tish Hewitt wife of William Alexander Hewitt, a well-known grapegrower, descendant of Jean Adolphe Brun of Brun & Chaix Winery , and president of John Deere Tractor. He is buried in the Brun family plot (having been very proud of his French roots) after a distinguished career at John Deere and as US Ambassador to Jamaica.
 
Frank Harrison told of his grandfather Wilbur Harrison, who built many buildings on Main Street and homes throughout the town. He did the carpentry work on the St. Helena Star Building in 1900.
 

Thanks to all of the participants and to those who attended our 4th Annual St. Helena Cemetery Tour!


Cemetery tour guides and impersonators gather for a
photo at the beginning of the event.

 "Old Soldiers Go West" - Civil War Veterans
at the St. Helena Cemetery

(November 1, 2005)

The St. Helena Historical Society held its annual tour of the St. Helena Cemetery on November 1st. Those attending heard stories of Civil War veterans buried in the cemetery. Society members in period costumes portrayed various veterans and related their stories. The event was well attended and enjoyed by all. More pictures can be found below.

John Sales tells about Royal Haskins, who joined the 9th Illinois Cavalry. The unit did scouting and reconnaissance in Missouri and Arkansas. Kathy Kernberger gives background information on the American Civil War, those who fought in it and the effect on the American people.

Steve Yost tells about the life of Brigadier General George V. Rutherford. His claim to fame was that he placed silver coins on Lincoln’s eyes after his death, as was the custom in those days. Mariam Hansen portrays Alice Allen, who married Saunders, and tells about his life. He participated in so many battles, it’s a miracle he survived the war to become the father of 13 children.

Al Derrick tells about the life of his relative, John W. Scott. Scott fought in the 9th Ilinois Infantry at Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Russ Hansen tells about the life of the confederate smuggler, James Tucker, who broke through the Union naval blockade to deliver secret documents to Jefferson Davis.

Jeff Farmer portrays William T. Simmons, who won a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle of Nashville. Simmons also marched with General Sherman as he destroyed huge areas of the south. Gwen Becker tells about Christian Schnoor, who played in a military band.

Betty Studebaker tells about Charles Nesten, who joined the 57th Illinois Infantry. His unit also joined Sherman in the infamous “march to the sea”, destroying the large areas of South Carolina and Georgia. Gravestone of Congressional Medal of Honor winner William T. Simmons.

 

"MUSEUM FOR A DAY"
(February 20, 2005)

St. Helena Historical Society held its first annual “St. Helena Museum for a Day” on February 20, 2005 at the Native Sons Hall. The event was intended as a sneak preview of what a historical museum in our town might look like. Exhibits from 20 exhibitors and SHHS collections filled the hall. The visitors’ register showed 150 people attended, in addition to the exhibitors and volunteers. Everyone agreed it was an educational and delightful afternoon, made more so by the sumptuous repast prepared by Roberta Oswald and her crew.

Eight long time families showed their photos: Bourne-Hayne, Fulton-Mather, Conn-Dillon, Crane-McPike, Palmer-Morgan, Penland-Mee, Mooney-Baker and Beringer. Three wineries brought items: Beringer Blass, Edge Hill Wine Company and David Fulton. The Oddfellows and Federated Women were there, in addition to the Methodist Church and the Silverado Museum. St. Helena Schools were well presented by Skip Lane, who brought class photos from 1918 on. Vince Amendola, a former teacher from 1949-1956, brought yearbooks and photos. Peggy Meister brought her research on the one room school houses of this area.

Oral history intern Pat Alexander and Board member Tricia Westbrook set up a recording booth in the back of the hall and invited attendees to stop by and tell the story of how they happened to come to St. Helena.  Twenty-five local citizens ranging from age 9 to age 89 lent their voices and personal memories.  This is the first in a series of recordings we hope to use as the soundtrack for the inaugural exhibit at our future Museum.  Watch for the “Voices of St. Helena” booth at our next event and come tell us your story!

The most unique artifact came from Edge Hill Wine Company. It was a “fire grenade”—a primitive fire extinguisher from the 19th century. This type of glass bottle filled with water and soda ash was mounted on a wall rack. In case of fire, the bottle was thrown at the flames, the water and soda ash putting out the fire—in theory. The grenade exhibited was found during excavations for restoration at Edge Hill on Sulphur Springs Road, the site of our April 5 meeting.

Due to the overwhelming response, “Museum for a Day” will take place again next year on February 19, 2006. Anyone interested in joining the St. Helena Historical Society is invited to call 963-5244 X 187 (voicemail) or visit our website: www.shstory.org.

L to R: Superintendent Gina Santangelo, contents of capsule, SHHS board members, School Board rep Skip Lane, capsule in place. .
 

ST HELENA HIGH SCHOOL TIME CAPSULE REPLACED
(June 3, 2004)

On June 3, 2004 the St. Helena High School time capsule was replaced in a short ceremony attended by St. Helena Historical Society members. The original time capsule was placed in 1912 upon completion of the stone high school building. After the recent restoration of the building, it was opened and displayed.

Ceremonies began with Stoddard “Skip” Lane speaking on behalf of the school board. He described the pressure from all sides to find and open the time capsule. He then introduced Superintendent of Schools Gina Santangelo who spoke briefly saying:

“This nation was built by men who took risks: pioneers who were not afraid of the wilderness, thinkers who were not afraid of progress, businessmen who were not afraid of failure, scientists who were not afraid of the truth. This building was constructed by risk-takers. People who saw the need and found the wherewithal to make it happen."

This was brought to life when the time capsule was opened on May 15, 2003. Inside was a snapshot of 1912 which included issues of the St.Helena Star and St. Helena Sentinel, coins, business cards, class lists from 1899-1911, a picture of the principal Mr. Meeker, autographs, a Mexican coin, a Masonic token, yearbooks, a Bruck’s grape juice label, and a telegram of congratulations from the state superintendent of schools. The items were wrapped by J. H. Steves of Steves Hardware, who made the original tin box.

Richard Oxley, Student Activities Director, explained the process of choosing the contents of the new time capsule. Students did not realize how small the box was and suggested many items which could not fit in. The leadership class chose the items, which were approved by the school board.

Gaetano Bettinelli of the leadership class described the items in the new capsule; a Chamber of Commerce guide to St. Helena, a senior class photo, a St. Helena Star, two photos of the school taken one hundred years apart, a photo CD, a $20 bill, news clippings of the 9-11 tragedy in New York and a St. Helena High School key chain for school spirit. All were placed in the same tin box as before. Gaetano replaced the box and held up the cornerstone for a photo with Skip Lane. After photos of the ceremony were placed on top of the box, the stone was cemented in place on June 4, 2004.


L to R: Bruck's label, STAR photographer, business cards, 1912 time capsule box, 1911 school yearbook.

Last updated: Tuesday, June 05, 2007

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