| For its ambitious new project "Distant Gold: Inland
Southern California 1848-1882," the Museum of History and Art, Ontario, is
bringing four fascinating real-life characters to town to entertain and inform
as only Chautauqua performers can.
Chautauqua's are historically-accurate portrayals acted by scholars with
in-depth knowledge of the characters they portray. Each performance includes an
unscripted monologue followed by interaction with the audience both in and out
of character.
Reflecting the intent of "Distant Gold" to give attention to all of
the diverse cultures and traditions that shaped the inland region in the period
from the Gold Rush to George Chaffey's founding of the colony of Ontario, four
characters were selected for local presentations from the statewide History
Alive! series celebrating California's Sesquicentennial:
Pio Pico was a talented and passionate politician who led rebellions
against oppressive Mexican authorities and became California's last Mexican
governor. Born at the San Gabriel Arcangel Mission, Pico grew to espouse the
views of many native-born, Spanish-speaking "Californios" against
directives from distant seats of government. Although he fled California during
the American take-over, he returned to build the first major hotel in Los
Angeles, Pico House, and serve on the city council. By the time of his death,
however, he had lost everything.
Pio Pico is portrayed by Roberto Garza, a faculty member at Pasadena City
College and Jefferson Middle School in San Gabriel.
Dame Shirley was the pen name of Louise Smith Clappe, the first
acclaimed literary figure in the state's history, earning that status as the
chronicler of life with her physician-husband in the mining camps at the height
of the Gold Rush. She described the rugged life and the conflict among the
diverse cultural groups in a series of insightful letters to her sister, later
published in the Pioneer, a San Francisco literary magazine of the time.
She is portrayed by Kate Magruder, who teaches humanities and theatre arts at
Mendocino College.
Antonio Garra, a Cupeņo Indian what is now north San Diego county,
led the 1851 Indian Tax Revolt in Southern California against the United States
for the same reasons that inspired the American colonists to revolt against
England, taxation without representation. His passionate struggle to unite
Indians against Americans led to his one-day court martial and execution even
though he was not present at the violent event that provoked it.
Garra is portrayed by Jose Rivera, an interpretive specialist and ranger for
the California State Parks Service.
Biddy Mason walked across the continent behind her master's wagon,
tested the strength of the California Constitution in a landmark bid for her
freedom from slavery, and became one of the era's richest women of color as well
as one of Los Angeles' most prominent citizens. Starting her life as a free
woman in 1856 at the age of 38, Mason was one of fewer than 50 black residents
in Los Angeles.
Her extraordinary life is portrayed by Dr. Sandra Kamusikiri, a professor of
English at California State University, San Bernardino.
"Distant Gold" is made possible in part by a grant from the
California Council for the Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment
for the Humanities.
Chautauqua performances take place at the Museum and other community sites in
April and May. For a schedule of dates, times and locations, please call the
Museum of History and Art, Ontario, at (909) 983-3198. |
