HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 18History Committee Final Minutes, August 18, 2015
Called to order @ 3:32pm, Tuesday August 18th by Carol Cites
Present:
Mary Ann Malcolm
Nicholas French
Catherine Popell
Jitze Couperus
Nobuko Cleary
Carol Gottlieb
May Davenport
Carol Crites
Associate Members:
Not Present:
Mary VanTamelen
Bridget Morgan
Joe Heinrich
Linda Swan
Tara Swan
Les Earnest
Guests:
Linda Taaffe
Byron Davenport
Mark Hylkema
Presentations:
Mark Hylkema, Fall History Event – Archeologist for California State Parks and adjunct Anthropology
teacher at Foothill College. Specializes in Native American culture and is a private consultant for
development. Mark discussed the Native American history within Los Altos Hills spanning over 10,000
years. Mark will be involved in the
Linda Taaffe, Taaffe Event – 6th generation in Los Altos Hills. Has been interviewing previous generations
of Los Altos Hills. Is a journalist working in the area and is currently working for the city of Sunnyvale.
Her father is Jim Taaffe. Marty and Elaine were Jim’s siblings. The Murphy family came over in 1844.
Arline and Linda have done presentations about the family history including stories, family letters and
experiences. The LAH Taaffe event will be Sunday, October 11th 2-4pm at Town Hall.
Review of Minutes:
Minutes approved with minor changes of present/guests
Committee Reports:
Digital Archives & Website:
Jitze indicated Rex Gardner passed away Sunday morning. There is a bio that was submitted. No
services known yet.
No other updates on digital archives
Carol Crites – indicated Les wants to digitize the videos and they are moving through the process for
more information. Les wants to put all of the videos on a hard drive. Committee thinks the data should
be stored either through the town website hosting or other “cloud” option in order to have a backup of
the data.
Town website being updated using a vendor that maintains similar town websites: Portola Valley,
Atherton, Los Altos, etc.
Oral History Project:
Discussion on who should be on the list. The list was sent to the committee over email, only 2 members
sent responses. One name is being added to the priority list. Nobuko and Nick plan to have one
interview completed by next month, interviewee to be determined
Old Business:
2015 Taaffe Event – Sunday, October 11th 2-4pm. The event will start with Mark Hylkema as the
introduction for 30 minutes. He will discuss the landscape that was experienced upon the settlers’
arrival and why they decided on specific locations. He will paint the picture of how and why before
Linda Taaffe presents the history of the Taaffe family. Juana Briones owned the property that was
leased by Taaffe. Mark and Linda see a natural transition between the presentations. They will use a
projector and Power Point for better visual aids.
Cupola Plaque – plaque is made and presented at meeting. Discussion as to where the plaque should be
placed. Will walk over after meeting to decide and Carol will coordinate with Deborah
Shumate Gates – Richard returned Mary Ann’s inquiries, indicating it is on private property. In addition,
he provided a lengthy email basically stating the town does not want the responsibility for the gates, so
will not want to get involved.
Time Capsule – Mary Ann has a box for capsule items. There is an article going in newsletter asking for
items to be dropped off. Due date for items November, as she recalls.
New Business:
Discussed ideas on events for winter and 2016. Discussed possibly do walking tour around history of Los
Altos Hills: reviewing historical sites, etc
Jitze mentioned a house being development next to Moody Court with no history significance
Adjournment: 4:58 pm, Next meeting, September 15th
Submitted by Nicholas French