Archived News Release from 2010

For Immediate Release

Redwood City, CA - April 22, 2010 - Residents of Redwood City will join thousands of individuals across the country to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month this May. “Old is the New Green” is the theme of the month-long celebration sponsored nationally by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and locally by Redwood City and its Historic Resources Advisory Committee.

Preservation Month 2010 in Redwood City will be observed with a Mayor’s proclamation, a downtown walking tour of some of Redwood City’s remarkable historic sites, a tour of the 1859 Historic Union Cemetery, and a series of field trips for 7th graders to three downtown buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Historic Union Cemetery Site Tour – Saturday, May 8th 10:00 am; meet at the cemetery on Woodside Road west of El Camino Real. Union Cemetery serves as a permanent archive of San Mateo County’s history. Recorded on stone are the rich and colorful lives of many pioneer families – including more than 40 Civil War veterans who are buried in the old soldiers’ plot established by the Grand Army of the Republic.
• Downtown Historic Walking Tour - Sunday, May 16th beginning at 10:30 am; meet in front of the historic Lathrop House, 627 Hamilton Street for this 1.5-hour tour including sites where Wyatt Earp occasionally came for a drink, where President Hoover once slept, where an 1875 Wells Fargo Express office operated, Redwood City’s first new car showroom salon and auto repair garage, 1896’s finest theater on the peninsula, former homes of prominent pioneer citizens, and more.
• School field trips - May 18th, 19th, 21st, and 24th - over 700 7th graders from the Redwood City School District will see the restored 1863 Lathrop House, the old County Courthouse (now the San Mateo County History Museum), and the historic Fox Theater.

Business, community and civic sponsors and participants for the school tours include the City of Redwood and its Planning, Housing and Economic Development Department, Fox Theater owner Coast Capital Income Fund, Colliers International, Bob’s Courthouse Coffee Shop, the San Mateo County Historical Association, the Redwood City Heritage Association, Attorney Michael Bursak, and the Redwood City Optimist Club.

The National Trust created Preservation Week in 1971 to spotlight grassroots preservation efforts in America. It grew to what is now an annual month-long celebration observed by small towns and big cities with events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities.

The Historic Resources Advisory Committee advises the Redwood City Planning Commission regarding the implementation of the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Committee recommends historic designation of local landmarks and districts, performs design review of changes to historic buildings, and is involved in other historic preservation related activities.

Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, City government, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s newsletters or other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov.

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Contact:
Charles Jany
Planning, Housing and Economic Development
(650) 780-7239