January 10, 2006 > Library to host history series

by Arathi Satish

To celebrate Fremont's 50th anniversary, the Fremont Main Library will present a series of programs highlighting local history and growth. The series will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Main Library from January through September.

The first program on Jan. 18, is "The Founding of Mission San Jose and the End of Tribal Life in the San Francisco East Bay," and launched by Andrew A. Galvan, a descendant of the Ohlone, Bay Miwok, Plains Miwok and Patwin Indians, whose ancestral lands include the greater San Francisco Bay region. Galvan's family connection dates back to at least 1794, when his great-great-great-great-grandfather's baptism was recorded at Mission Dolores. Interestingly, years later, Galvan's great-great-grandfather, Chief Tarino, laid the cornerstone on the first building at Mission San Jose. A century later Felipe "Phil" Galvan, Galvan's father, placed the cornerstone for the present restored mission chapel. These ties continue today as Galvan is now the curator at old Mission Dolores in San Francisco.

Honored guest, Felipe Galvan will be celebrating his 80th birthday. He is the executive director of Ohlone Indian Tribe, Inc., and caretaker of the Ohlone Indian Cemetery, Mission San Jose. His efforts helped save the Ohlone Indian Cemetery from demolition in 1960s. Andrew Galvan will be giving a presentation about the California Indians and Alta California Missions using traditional storytelling techniques he learned from his father.

Founding of Mission San Jose
Wednesday, January 18
7 p.m.
Fremont Main Library
2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont
Reservations are not required.
(510) 745-1401 or (510) 745-1429