Monterey County Historical Society
Museum Founders Club


Our current efforts to build a new museum began shortly after the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989. As we surveyed our damaged facility, it became clear almost immediately that the Brooks House, which we had been using as a museum and office, could not be repaired. We went to the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) office which had been set up in Salinas shortly after the quake, but were told we were not eligible for federal funds.

We started planning and held several meetings. By early February 1990 we had a better idea of the type of museum our members wanted. We also began planning for a Founders Club, centered around individuals or organizations each donating $2,500 toward the new museum. We originally planned to start building the new museum when we collected $250,000. We realized, however, that it would take much more than that to actually complete the facility.

Late in February we learned that we were indeed eligible for federal funds. In the pressure of setting up and staffing the emergency processing center in Salinas after the earthquake we were given incorrect information.

FEMA advised us that they would provide us with funds to replace the Brooks House, because they too considered it too expensive to repair. They also told us that we had to replace the building with one maintaining the same functions (that is, office, museum, and storage). And we could add our own money to theirs and build a larger facility!

The goal of the Founders Club changed slightly after this news from FEMA. Originally we had planned to start the museum when we received $250,000 from the first 100 Founders Club members. However, with the funds from FEMA, we were able to begin construction much earlier (in fact, FEMA rules required almost immediate construction once the funds were dispersed). This placed us in a bit of a bind--if we did not collect enough money to add to FEMA's to start our large museum, we would have to settle for a much smaller facility, because we had to use the federal money immediately. But this also meant we could not finish the structure immediately.

Work on the structure is still in progress. The infrastructure (utilities, sewer hookup, etc.) is all in place and the shell of the building three-quarters completed. We are still working on fundraising to complete the shell and begin on the interior. We could use your help!

Founders Club Membership Form


Founders Club Members

1. Dr. and Mrs. George Banks
2. James and Irene Jeffery
3. In memory of Ruth M. Bailey
4. Valley Guild
5. In memory of J.K. Jefferson Family
6. In memory of Harris E. (Jack) Patton
7. Gertrude N. Waterman
8. Janet and George Brazelton
9. Virginia and Gaylord Nelson
10. Rose Catti Del Conte
11. Margaret and John Breschini
12. Jeanne and John Pryor
13. Iverson Family
14. Joe and Bonnie Romovich
15. Robert M. Bailey
16. In memory of our parents Albert N. and Pearl Amaral Jensen
17. Francis H. Cislini and Rosalie Cislini
18. Frank and Edna Martin and Family
19. In memory of Charles L. Pioda Family
20. In memory of John Adam Eppler
21. Trudy Haversat and Gary S. Breschini
22. In memory of Steve C. Breschini Family and Lawrence Martella Family
23. Homer and Nancy Hayward
24. In memory of Thos. H. Mill from Ellen and Family
25. In memory of Lewis Nielsen
26. Rodney and Marjorie Burden
27. In memory of Wesley D. Evans
28. In memory of Jessie Storm Hughes by Joanne Church Taylor
29. The Lauralie Irvine Foundation
30. In memory of George N. Cominos
31. The Lauralie Irvine Foundation
32. In memory of Clare E. Reich from the Reich Family
33. In memory of Lorraine and Frank L. Foster
34. Monterey County Board of Supervisors
35. In memory of Louise Molinari by the Molinari Family
36. In memory of Mayor Frank S. Clark
37. Salinas Woman's Club, Organized 1906
38. Robert B. Johnston, in memory of Dr. Luella Hall
39. Spreckels Sugar Company
40. John J. and Dolores C. Smith & Sons
41. Del Garlinger Family in Honor of H.G. Hansen Family
42. Bank of Salinas
43. In Memory of George Edwin Lacey
44. In Memory of Margurite D. Hargens
45. Bay Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
46. In memory of Susan L. Bacon by Gary L. Bacon
47. In Memory of John F. and Annie Hunneycutt Davies by Mary Davies Kelly
48. Burton and Alice Anderson
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50. John & Julia MacPherson
51. In recognition of J. Ross & Erma V. (Blomquist) Hallock Riley by James Ross Riley, III
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53. In memory of Mr. C.C. Salmina and Mrs. Edith Jacop Salmina by Mrs. Adeline Salmina Agostini
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55. Nicholas G. and Theodora N. Cominos
56. Anthony G. and Marguerite A. Lafka
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100. Adelle O'Grady

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