August 26, 2006 - Muir Heritage Ranch Days Recreates the Life and Times of John Muir
Experience the life and times of John Muir, environmentalist and founder of our national parks system, at the 9th annual Muir Heritage Ranch Days at the John Muir National Historical Site in Martinez on Saturday, August 26th from 10 am to 4 pm. Nestled at the foot of the Alhambra Valley near the scenic Carquinez Straits, Muir’s home and ranch will be decked out for a journey back in time. Presented by the John Muir Association and the National Park Service, Muir Heritage Ranch Days brings back the spirit of the Turn of the Century (20th century, that is) with music, dancing, art, and activities of the era – including handicap accessible horse drawn carriage rides led by John Muir’s Great-grandson, Michael Muir. Admission is free.
While most people think of John Muir off trekking through the High Sierra and fighting to establish Yosemite as one of our country’s first national parks, Muir was also an innovative and inventive rancher in the Martinez region. John Muir's home and ranch, a national historical site, will feature new exhibits showcasing Muir’s work as an artist, conservationist, and botanist. Visitors will learn about the life and legacy of Muir as a pioneer of the environmental movement and experience life on Muir’s fruit ranch in the 1880s. John Muir Impersonator Frank Helling will give life to the inspiring works of Muir, the writer, and Michael Muir will be on hand to share stories and tall tales about the adventures of Muir, the outdoorsman and adventurer.
Muir Heritage Ranch Days will also feature a wide variety of entertainment, demonstrations and activities of the era. Young and old alike will enjoy vintage carriage rides, cornbread and fresh squeezed lemonade making, in addition to lots of fun games. Music for the day will be provided by “Spinning Wheel” – a popular ol' time string band from the Martinez area and dancing compliments of New World Scottish Dancers. And, of course, there will be guided tours of Muir's home and ranch, a film about the life and work of John Muir and new exhibits of his botanical contributions.
John Muir, whose life spanned from 1838 to 1914, was recently inducted into the new California Hall of Fame at the California Museum of History, Women and the Arts. In presenting the first inductees, California’s First Lady Maria Shriver described Muir as "the person who graces our quarter - the California Quarter. He's the founding father of our environmental movement, of our national park system, who taught us to respect and take care of the land that we live on, and the air we breathe."
Founded in 1956, the John Muir Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of John Muir’s legacy and home. More information about Muir Heritage Ranch Days at the John Muir Historical Site in Martinez is available by calling 925-639-7562 or visiting www.JohnMuirAssociation.org.
While most people think of John Muir off trekking through the High Sierra and fighting to establish Yosemite as one of our country’s first national parks, Muir was also an innovative and inventive rancher in the Martinez region. John Muir's home and ranch, a national historical site, will feature new exhibits showcasing Muir’s work as an artist, conservationist, and botanist. Visitors will learn about the life and legacy of Muir as a pioneer of the environmental movement and experience life on Muir’s fruit ranch in the 1880s. John Muir Impersonator Frank Helling will give life to the inspiring works of Muir, the writer, and Michael Muir will be on hand to share stories and tall tales about the adventures of Muir, the outdoorsman and adventurer.
Muir Heritage Ranch Days will also feature a wide variety of entertainment, demonstrations and activities of the era. Young and old alike will enjoy vintage carriage rides, cornbread and fresh squeezed lemonade making, in addition to lots of fun games. Music for the day will be provided by “Spinning Wheel” – a popular ol' time string band from the Martinez area and dancing compliments of New World Scottish Dancers. And, of course, there will be guided tours of Muir's home and ranch, a film about the life and work of John Muir and new exhibits of his botanical contributions.
John Muir, whose life spanned from 1838 to 1914, was recently inducted into the new California Hall of Fame at the California Museum of History, Women and the Arts. In presenting the first inductees, California’s First Lady Maria Shriver described Muir as "the person who graces our quarter - the California Quarter. He's the founding father of our environmental movement, of our national park system, who taught us to respect and take care of the land that we live on, and the air we breathe."
Founded in 1956, the John Muir Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of John Muir’s legacy and home. More information about Muir Heritage Ranch Days at the John Muir Historical Site in Martinez is available by calling 925-639-7562 or visiting www.JohnMuirAssociation.org.
