By CONSUELO MACEDO
May 1–Greg Anderson burst into a rich baritone sea shanty not just once but twice during his multimedia presentation about shore whaling on San Simeon Point in the mid 1800s. He was the Keynote Speaker for the Cambria Historical Society’s Annual Recognitions Banquet, and he had the audience entranced with the little-known information he has researched about the industry that thrived in San Simeon for many years.
His presentation was complete with the original site for the Sebastian store and post office, and residences for the Azorean Portuguese Whalers whom Captain Joseph Clark enlisted to man the boats. Clark immigrated from Pico Island and was originally named Jose Machado; the enterprising gentleman established several other whaling wharves in California and on the East Coast. CHS President Melody Coe worked diligently with Anderson to provide him with her valuable personal research.
None of the other ports could source a picture of the handsome young Clark, but Melody surprised the dinner audience with the 1864 photo of him, which she had found in a copy of Cambria History by Alberta Dodson Stewart, who actually knew him.
Anderson was thrilled also to hold in hand the vintage harpoon which Coe acquired to display, courtesy of her friend Mary Sebastian Hansen, who inherited the Clark artifacts given to her father. She lent many to the Hearst family for display in their new winery/warehouse, and Melody was grateful to be granted one for her photo exhibit during the evening. It is possible that this is the harpoon, which was lost when new in a whaling incident, was astonishingly retrieved three years later inside a whale.
The Historical Museum welcomed 32 fifth graders from Cambria Grammar School to experience activities typical of the 1800s before there was electricity. Experienced docents engaged the students in butter making, apple coring and peeling, rope making, and the process of how to do laundry by hand using a washboard and clothesline. They were treated to a visit inside and outside the grand Victorian Squibb House. Owner Bruce Black also enlisted them in Squibbing, picking up trash as was once done by Louise and Paul Squibb.
Not to rest on their laurels, the Historical Society is committed to providing Cambria’s community of all ages with knowledge of their local legacy. They maintain four properties that are supported by the fall Harvest Festival, and the upcoming Heritage Day to be held on Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Museum Grounds. The free event will include displays and demonstrations of all things old fashioned, live music, and food.
“We have a story to tell” and want to enlist others to join in our mission. Please contact Melody Coe at: (805) 448-5652; Penny Church at: (805) 927-1442; or Consuelo Macedo a:t (805) 748-8651 for more information on how to volunteer. Visit the CHS website at: cambriahistoricalsociety.com, and on Facebook. The Museum is staffed by volunteers on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
