Town Crier Report
Visitors can explore the days of early California in what promises to be a fun, educational experience at Los Altos History Museum’s “Rancho Day” event. “Rancho Day” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 2.
Organizers encourage participants to step back in time to experience how ranchos operated in the early 19th century, with activities for all ages including games, educational displays, live demonstrations and crafts. Traditional Mexican cuisine will be available to purchase.
“Rancho Day offers a glimpse into life after Mexico’s independence from Spain, when land from former missions was granted to individuals,” said Lillie Moore, the museum’s education and volunteer coordinator. “These ‘ranchos’ were used for livestock and producing goods like leather and tallow. In the Los Altos area, Rancho La Purisima Concepcion and Rancho San Antonio shaped the region’s early history.”
Visitors can immerse themselves in this fascinating era with live demonstrations, including rope tricks by charro Christian Navarrete, as well as educational displays that bring the rancho days to life.
Author Robin Chapman also is scheduled to be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., signing copies of her books “California Apricots: The Lost Orchards of Silicon Valley,” “Historic Bay Area Visionaries,” and “The Valley of Heart’s Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay,” all of which explore the time when ranchos played a central role in the economy and social life of Alta California.
Chapman is a longtime journalist and writer, and a Los Altos native.
For those interested in a hands-on experience, there will be a Mexican Tin Art workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., led by instructor Rachel Palacios.
Participants will design, emboss and color on aluminum tooling foil to create their own unique piece. This workshop is open to second graders and up, with a $20 materials fee. Space is limited, so those interested are encouraged to register in advance at losaltohistory.org/TinArt.
Admission price for “Rancho Day” is $10 per person, payable at the entry gate. The event is free for children 12 and under, and museum members. To learn more, visit losaltoshistory.org/RanchoDay2024.
