“Preserving memories brick by brick”
By Loreen Berlin
The Buena Park Historical Society (BPHS) held its 50th Anniversary Picnic Saturday, April 21 at Plaza Buena, 6631 Beach Blvd., in Buena Park.
In conjunction with the picnic, an unveiling of the historic bricks offered by the historical society and a ribbon cutting were held under the Dreger Clock. The two events were the highlights of the afternoon.
Entertainment was by performing artist Peggie Perkins, who has been performing for more than 40 years with her Big Band, performing most recently in Buena Park during the annual Silverado Days at William Peak Park; she has performed throughout the United States and in Japan.
Participating in the event were board members of the Historical Society and City Council members, along with residents from the community.
Chair person Rinda Berry, wife of Council member Steve Berry, said she came up with the idea of engraved bricks as a way to raise money for upkeep of the Historic Whitaker Jaynes Estate and the Bacon House in Plaza Buena while visiting back east.
According to Buena Park Historical Curator Art Brown, who also serves as a Buena Park City Council member and Mayor Pro tem, “So far, 124 bricks have been sold and $9,000 raised for the two historic buildings.”
With the ceilings currently needing refurbishing, the Historical Society will continue to offer the bricks throughout the year, unveiling the new bricks each year the picnic; engraved bricks may be purchased through Rinda Berry by visiting www.fundraisingbrick.com/online.
Plaza Buena is the rose garden in the center of Buena Park’s Historic District adjacent to BPHS’ two museums, the Whitaker-Jaynes Estate and the Bacon House, directly across from City Hall.
“Bricks were installed by Director of Public Works and City Engineer Dave Jacobs and his assigned brick crew, with not a single brick broken nor chipped,” said Historical President Chris Brown, who also serves as Savanna School District Board President.
“Thank you to Buena Park Senior Center Director Mark Saucedo for setting up and preparing the rose garden and to the City of Buena Park for coordinating our event.”
Gold Sponsor for the 50th Anniversary was Poquito Mas Restaurant located next to the historical buildings, along with Knott’s Berry Farm, Holiday Inn, Ciro’s Pizza, Buena Park Downtown Mall for Big Air and Howie’s Games, Medieval Times, Smith’s Back-to-Care Chiropractic and Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach for tickets to their annual original works of art, tours and workshops.
BPHS board members include: Curator Art Brown, Vice President Joe Rodehaver, Second Vice President Verl Standford, Treasurer Laura Rodehaver, Recording Secretary Alcene Cain and Trustees Billie Whitsett, Barbara Gonzales, Rinda Berry, Pat Donnelly, Linda and Roger Mahaffey, Rose Diaz, Priscilla Perez and Rager Joral who is videographer and historian.
“The Whitaker-Jaynes Estate and the Bacon House, which features donated antiques and other period furnishings of an earlier ‘farmhouse era’ of the 1900s are always open for self-guided tours throughout the picnic,” said Curator Art Brown.
In 2009, the historic Dreger Clock, which originally stood at Knott’s Berry Farm, then disappeared and was later found online for sale, has been totally refurbished and permanently placed in front of the Whitaker-Jaynes House.
The historical homes/museums are maintained by the City and BPHS.
Lots of door prizes were drawn after lunch, donated by local businesses and individuals.
Art Brown said personal oral and written histories are always welcome at BPHS.
For information, call 714-521-1887 or visit HistoricalSociety.org.
