UPDATE TO OUR TEXT MESSAGE SUBSCRIBERS
Effective Dec. 10, we’ll send texts from a new phone number: (888) 372-4905. Questions? Contact subscriberhelp@granicus.com.
NEWS
2024 Delta Heritage Forum - Photo Gallery and Reviews
 More than 80 Delta heritage professionals and aficionados gathered Nov. 15 at the Antioch Historical Society Museum for a day of storytelling and inspiration at the 6th Delta Heritage Forum.
The Forum was organized by the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area. The NHA is coordinated by the Delta Protection Commission.
Here is some of what participants and speakers had to say about the event:
-"I love the diversity of topics among the speakers and how engaged the audience members were. You can tell a lot of thought and planning went into this event."
-"I particularly liked Carol's lightning talk. It was a little pocket history lesson that that was engaging and fun." (Carol Jensen is shown above in the bottom left photo.)
-"The speaker Wyatt really inspired me especially - for example, as he said, never underestimate the impact of a single moment, which could change someone’s life. It can take one 'aha' moment to alter someone’s life and spark an interest in something." (Wyatt Moore is shown above in the second photo down on the right.)
Delta Stories Launches
Delta Stories, the new history journal of the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society, launches Dec. 7 at the the Ryde Hotel, 14340 CA-160.
The event, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., will feature storytellers and stories featured in the magazine – the history of the Delta's legacy and lost towns, indigenous people, railroads, riverways, and literary giants.
Copies of Delta Stories are $20 each.
Antioch to the Twenties: Reprint Now Available
A revised and expanded edition of "Antioch to the Twenties" is now available. A portion of all sales proceeds go to the Antioch Historical Society.
Individuals may purchase it in online and brick-and-mortar bookstores for $30 (suggested retail), and a standard trade 40% discount is offered to wholesalers such as local historical societies, local novelty and gift shops, bookstores, and convenience stores.
Retail book sellers may order directly from Ingram Distribution Services, or by emailing Historian@ByronHotSprings.com.
A California Resale Certificate is required to qualify for California sales tax-free purchases. Minimum order quantities apply.
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Walnut Grove Then & Now: a Storymap
 A storymap published this summer highlights the historic districts of Walnut Grove. You can view it here.
Public Comment Period Open for Port Chicago Plan
The draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is available for review and comment. The comment deadline is Dec. 7.
The plan can be downloaded here, and comments may be made online or by mail. Comments can be mailed to:
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
Attn: Self Evaluation and Transition Plan
P.O. Box 280
Danville, CA 94526
NHA Plays Role in Disaster Recovery
National Heritage Areas aren’t focused solely on history and cultural resources; one NHA in North Carolina is actively participating in community recovery from a devastating natural disaster.
On Sept. 27, Hurricane Helene brought devastation to North Carolina: 103 people died in the state. The town of Chimney Rock was nearly wiped off the map. Eighty percent of the River Art District in Asheville, the top art district in the state, was destroyed. Arts in Asheville's county, Buncombe County, account for $1 billion in sales and 8,500 jobs.
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is dedicated to supporting its communities and partners through this challenging time.
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NHA OPPORTUNITIES
Request for Proposals: NHA Branding and Marketing Plan
The Delta Protection Commission will accept proposals through Dec. 4 for creating a tourism, branding and marketing plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area.
The NHA, operated by the Delta Protection Commission, is California's first and only National Heritage Area.
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Work for the National Heritage Area - Application Deadline on Nov. 22
Full-time Senior Environmental Planner/Delta National Heritage Area: Work entails developing maps and GIS databases, stakeholder outreach, and developing/managing partnership relationships with other agencies, nonprofits, organizations, and individuals. Pay range is $8,425-$10,469 per month. Download the duty statement here (PDF).
The deadline to apply is Nov. 22.
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AWARDS
2025 Preservation Design Awards - Early Deadline Nov. 22, Final Deadline Dec. 16
The Preservation Design Awards recognize organizations and individuals for outstanding work to preserve California's historic buildings and sites. The California Preservation Foundation invites you to submit your firm or organization’s best historic preservation projects for the 2025 program.
Award Categories include:
- Preservation or Restoration
- Rehabilitation
- Reconstruction or Contextual Infill
- Craftsmanship/Preservation Technology
- Cultural Resource Studies, Reports
- Archaeology and Interpretive Exhibits: Archaeology
- Cultural Heritage, Intangible Assets
The final deadline for submitting nominations is Dec. 16. Nominations submitted by Nov. 22 are eligible for a reduced fee.
GRANTS
Save America's Treasures - Call for Applications - Deadline: Dec. 12
The National Park Service's Save America's Treasures grant program is accepting applications through Dec. 12.
The Save America’s Treasures grant program was established in 1998 to help preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections that convey the nation’s rich heritage to future generations.
Congress has appropriated $25.5 million in FY2024 funding for Collections and Preservation projects.
MUSEUMS
Isleton Museum Winter Closure
The Isleton Museum will be closed Dec. 1-Feb. 28, reopening March 1.
Private tours are available during this time for people who make arrangements in advance by emailing theisletonmuseum@gmail.com or leaving a message at (916)777-7763.
CLASSES AND WEBINARS
Los Medanos College
The Los Medanos College's Lifelong Learning Center's lecture series includes lectures by local historian and Delta NHA Advisory Committee member Carol Jensen.
The following courses will be held at the College's Brentwood Center:
- Oakley: Railroads and Packing Sheds, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 20.
- African-American Pioneers and Property Owners in Contra Costa County, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 19.
- Byron Hot Springs: The Most Fabulous Resort in the West, 1-3 p.m. April 16.
Enrollment at Los Medanos is not required, but you must register in advance at the Los Medanos College website.
Learning Opportunities from Technical Preservation Services
The Technical Preservation Services division of the National Park Service offers a series of free, online trainings on a variety of topics, including Sustainability Guidelines, Rehabilitation Guidelines, Incentives, Local Historic Districts, and more.
TPS also offers an extensive series of publications offering guidance and how-to knowledge on a broad range of preservation topics and applications.
EVENTS
Submit your event for inclusion in our bi-monthly Delta Heritage Courier newsletter by emailing submit@delta.ca.gov. The deadline for inclusion in the next newsletter is Jan. 2; the newsletter comes out Jan. 9.
 Dec. 6-8 in Lodi: 32nd Annual Festival of Trees - an annual tradition at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum featuring crafts, entertainment, food, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. Limited preview event 1-4 p.m. Friday Dec. 6 for those who have difficulty in large crowds. Main event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. 11793 N. Micke Grove Road.
Dec. 8 in Brentwood: East Contra Costa Historical Society's Christmas on the Farm - games, youth and adult Christmas crafts, music, food, craft vendors, lighting of the windmill at dusk. Admission is free, and activity tickets are available for purchase. 11 a.m.-dusk at the museum, 3890 Sellers Ave.
Dec. 10 online: Healing Waters, Hidden Histories: Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs Unveiled - this is part of a California Preservation Foundation series on The Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders: California's Iconic and Lost Past. Presented by local historian and Delta NHA Advisory Committee member Carol Jensen and Justin Chapman, author of "The Hedonistic History of Paradise Springs, Where Early Hollywood Went Wild." Noon-1 p.m.
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