Think California
September 24, 2009- February 5, 2011
Carl Christian Dahlgren (American, born Denmark 1841-1920)
Larsen's Chicken Farm, 19th Avenue, San Francisco
1905, Oil on canvas
What comes to mind when you think of California? Beaches, the Gold Rush, freeways and road trips, cultural diversity, agricultural abundance, earthquakes, Hollywood? Indeed, there are many spectacular stories in California’s history.
As its past proves, California is a state in never-ending flux. Its sole constant is that of constant change, causing the Golden State to forever increase in fascinating stories and events that will continue to go down in history.
The California Historical Society presents Think California, an exhibition highlighting the colorful history of California through the institution’s remarkable collection of artwork, artifacts, and ephemera. This ambitious exhibition asks the question “What do you think about when you think of California?” Here you see both common and little known facts of the Golden State’s fascinating history, as well as the myths and realities that are the lore of California.
Exhibition themes include:
Coming to California
The discovery of gold in California was as notable event that brought thousands of people to the state from all over the world. The Gold Rush transformed the economic, political, environmental, and cultural history of California. After the Gold Rush, people of all races, genders, and ages continued to immigrate to California. They came to try to become wealthy, to find social opportunity, or to flee their problems. Today, people continue to come to California for these same reasons.
Scenic Splendors
California is known for its scenic beauty and wonderful parks. It is home to the highest and lowest points in the country—Mt. Whitney and Death Valley. Natural sites such as Yosemite, Mt. Shasta, and the state’s expansive coastline all contribute to California’s natural beauty. This section will feature outstanding paintings and other items of natural sites from the CHS collection.
Bounty of the Golden State
California is also known as the “cornucopia to the world.” This section highlights the Golden State’s abundant, and at times destructive, agricultural industries through advertising prints, fruit-crate labels, and other intriguing items, such as the iconic painting Larsen's Chicken Farm, 19th Avenue by San Francisco artist Carl Dahlgren.
Earthquakes, Floods and Volcanoes
Consider California’s natural beauty and you also might think of earthquakes, fires, drought, and other natural disasters. Think California includes fascinating artwork and stories on Mother Nature’s other side, including the Mt. Lassen volcano eruption and Hayward's Great Earthquake of 1868.
Freeways, Traffic, and Early Transportation
People often think of California as being the land of freeways and traffic, but many automotive innovations happened in the state. Here we explore California’s contributions to pre-automotive means of transportation, including rail, electric rail, Pony Express, and others.
Seeing the Sites
California is the land of vacations and travel. Iconic tourist spots such as Disneyland, golden beaches filled with surfers, and the majestic Golden Gate Bridge all come to mind when California is mentioned. These popular attractions, as well as unexpected places and events, are included in the exhibition.
Drama, Harmony, and Hollywood
The state is known as the land of Hollywood and moviemaking, but California has also contributed to theater, music, and other entertainment fields. CHS’s collections of early silent-film photographs, drawings of noted entertainers, and sheet music will be featured in this section.
Dialogue is an important aspect of Think California. The “Talk Back Gallery” invites visitors to respond to the exhibition and tell us that they think of when they think about California, as well as what topics of California history is of particular interest to them. This exchange will itself become a component of Think California and visitor feedback will also assist CHS staff in developing topics for future exhibitions and online content. Also during this exhibition the California Historical Society will present a variety of associated programs and experiment with new programming ideas related to the exhibition.
We hope you will join us and tell us what you think of when you think of California.
The exhibition is open to the public September 24, 2009 through February 5, 2011, at the California Historical Society, located at 678 Mission Street in San Francisco. CHS is open Wednesday through Saturday, 12:00noon to 4:30pm. Admission costs $3 for general public; $1 for students and seniors. Members are always free.
