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For Immediate Release
Join the Celebration as Redwood City’s Downtown Courthouse Turns 100 Years Old!
Redwood City, CA - January 21, 2010 - The Old San Mateo County Courthouse building and beautiful stained glass dome, which has housed the San Mateo County History Museum for over 10 years, turns 100 years old in 2010. It opened with a grand celebration on July 4, 1910. Now, the Centennial Celebration is on in Redwood City!
The Old Courthouse and the San Mateo County History Museum are key attractions to Downtown Redwood City, combining with the City’s Courthouse Square to form a grand centerpiece for the City. The Courthouse itself is an essential, dramatic, and beautiful visual element in the many community events held in Courthouse Square, enjoyed by tens of thousands of people each year. The City of Redwood City and the San Mateo County Historical Association partnered to restore the Courthouse it to its former splendor and glory and, along with Courthouse Square it is the crown jewel in Redwood City’s downtown. Through their work together, these two partners have brought great public benefit to the people of Redwood City, San Mateo County, and the entire region.
Everyone is invited to join the celebration - here is a list of the fun family events the San Mateo County History Association has planned so far to mark this centennial occasion, and be sure to visit http://www.historysmc.org/ for updated information on the County Courthouse Centennial!
- Thursday, January 28, 3:30 pm
A kick-off celebration & press conference in Courtroom A. Assorted interested parties and Historical Association members are invited. Characters from the Strange Case of Constance Flood (actors for the September program) will be introduced as VIP’s. Reception to follow.
- Saturday, February 6, 1 pm
Centennial Celebration of the Courthouse and 100 Years of Boy Scouts program, plus Boy Scouting exhibit opening.
- Saturday, March 6, 1 - 4 pm
A children’s craft program which features the Courthouse building and its architecture.
- Saturday, April 24, 1 pm
Children’s Edwardian Tea Party. Lesson on etiquette of the 1910s will be presented to youngsters.
- Sunday, May 16, noon - 5 pm
Honoring our Heritage: Immigrants Day Festival - FREE ADMISSION DAY! A traditional celebration honoring the cultures that have made San Mateo County their home, plus a special salute to the Courthouse as a symbol of American citizenship.
- Sunday, June 6, 2 pm
San Mateo County Historical Association’s Annual Meeting for members. An in-depth presentation on the construction of the Courthouse will be featured.
- Friday, June 25
Special release of publication, La Peninsula, dedicated to the Courthouse, featuring articles by those that have worked in the building, including former Supreme Court Justice, Sandra Day O’Connor.
- Sunday, July 4
• Special presentations during the Redwood City Parade.
• Exhibit opening: If These Walls Could Talk. Participation by organizations that originally celebrated the Courthouse’s opening in 1910 will be part of the fun.
• Family Day activities include old-fashioned Fourth of July crafts with hand churned ice cream and distribution of a free 32-page activity book for children.
- Sunday, September 12, noon - 4 pm
Victorian Days at the Courthouse event, with a special reenactment, The Strange Case of Constance Flood that actually took place in Courtroom A in 1931.
The San Mateo History Museum in the Old County Courthouse is where the rich history of the county is preserved and accessible to the community. The Museum offers educational activities for school children, hosts exhibits detailing the history and development of the county, and coordinates a wide range of events concerning the history of the county. Visit the Museum website at www.historysmc.org.
Visit Redwood City’s award-winning website at www.redwoodcity.org for information about the City and its services, the community, recreation programs, education, and local business. Subscribe to Redwood City’s electronic newsletter or other City documents at www.redwoodcity.org/egov.
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Contacts:
Malcolm Smith
Redwood City
650-780-7305
Diane Rummel
San Mateo County History Museum
650-299-0104
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