As I write this, California has been under a “stay at home” order for about a month. Needless to say, I have not been able to get out and about to visit some historic spot in our beloved Golden State. But, part of my duties as Chair of the History Board is to promote California History, no matter what. In this vein, I shall try my best.
Before I begin, I wish to say thank you to all of you, my Brothers, for your support of my efforts. I have tried, through this column, to share my passion for History and my love of California. I am amazed at the feedback I get when a new Retro Ramblings goes online or appears in the Native Son. I have never considered myself as a decent writer, but many of you tell me that you enjoy my column and look forward to reading it. Thank you.
So, if I cannot go out and visit a site, what am I to write about? Well, there are several places which offer online, virtual tours which allow the public to visit from their homes. The list grows longer each day. Today, I wish to bring your attention to the California State Capitol Museum. It has an online tour which offers four separate, unique modules. The first is an architecture tour, which covers the state symbols in the Capitol, the Rotunda, the interior of the Capitol Dome, the gold ball and Cupola, the statuary, the symbols on the portico and pediment and the plaques on the East Annex.
Next, there is a virtual tour of the California State art collection, then one of the history and growth of California. A tour of the Capitol Park follows and then finally there is a tour of the historic rooms in the Capitol’s West Wing.
The tour can be accessed online at: http://www.capitolmuseum.ca.gov/the-museum/virtual-tours
The Oakland Museum of California also has online exhibits and can be accessed at:
https://museumca.org/omca-at-home
So, while this Retro Ramblings is unusually short, go online, my Brothers and see what there is out there for you to explore.