June 21- Stories In Structures: Our History In Architecture

Speakers: Frances Schierenbeck, Don Anderson

Every day our town’s story unfolds right in front of us, in our great old homes and commercial buildings. Learn more about our rich architectural heritage from architectural historian Frances Schierenbeck, who will introduce you to the styles of buildings you’ll see around town, and docent Don Anderson, who will tell the stories of many older buildings that have reinvented themselves to remain relevant as the town has changed.

Healdsburg’s Carnegie Library, now the home of the Healdsburg Museum

Farmers and Mechanics Bank, now used as retail space

July 26- Booms, Busts And A 40-year Doom-Loop

Speakers: Joanne Taeuffer, Eric Drew

Here’s a look at the economic circumstances of Healdsburg over the years. Joanne will cover Healdsburg’s early history of economic ups and downs. Then Eric will focus on the 40-year period between 1962 and 2002, when the town was in a “doom loop.” This difficult period started when the freeway opened, funneling people away from downtown and precipitating a slow-moving economic crisis that eventual led to the town’s current economic prosperity.

Healdsburg residents largely opposed Prohibition

Healdsburg exit, Highway 101

August 16- Long-Gone Industries: Lumber & Prunes

Speakers: Steve Deas, Joanne Taeuffer, Don Mitchell

Two economic engines of years past in Healdsburg – lumber and prunes – are mostly gone, leaving behind only the name of one of our newest housing developments, The Mill District, and the name of our baseball team, the Prune Packers. Steve Deas, Joanne Taeuffer and Don Mitchell will talk about the history of these two industries. And we’ll be counting on the audience to add their memories of the time not so long ago when prunes were king.

Horse team hauling monster log

Prune blossoms