Welcome to Where the Spirit of California was Born!

Page for Members

Tuesday, 16 June 2009 05:32 Webmaster

A Members Speak Out page has been added to the website. This is a page for posting members' letters, comments, questions, ideas, etc. To have your comments or questions posted, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or a letter to the GDPA office at PO Box 461, Coloma CA 95613. All posts must contain appropriate language, no personal attacks, and author's name. No anonymous letters will be posted. The link to the Members Speak Out page is in the Main Menu on the left side of the webpage.

Last Updated on Saturday, 13 March 2010 16:42

Help Save Our Parks

Friday, 12 June 2009 17:06 webmaster

Tell your legislators to reject the proposal and save our state parks.

Visit the California State Parks Foundation website and learn how.

Last Updated on Friday, 12 June 2009 17:26

Rex Ruth as Fremont

Thursday, 21 May 2009 05:17 Lois Fortress

Fremont The first of the five Summer Performance Series was held Saturday evening, May 16.

The audience enjoyed Rex Ruth and Janna as the performance took them back into three specific moments in time...

Lt. Col. Fremont at the end of the War with mexico, 1846
Senator Fremont just before leaving to ratify California constitution, 1850
Major General Fremont sent to California by President Lincoln, 1862

We appreciate this generous contribution of the Ruth's to provide such a gift of education and entertainment to help raise funds to continue the educational and interpretive programs at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.

The next event is June 20, 7:30 to 9:00 pm, and will be a play by the Cemetery Players. These actors provide a peek into history with life stories of some of the people buried in the Coloma cemeteries. Since this event is in the Emmanual Church, seating will be limited to 150 people. Get your tickets early at the Mercantile to ensure a seat in the church.

Last Updated on Friday, 22 May 2009 05:45

Coloma Blacksmiths Forge Ahead!

Saturday, 02 May 2009 11:40 Andy Sichak

Mark looking at new forged hood Our Coloma blacksmiths are celebrating the completion of project “Forge Hood”. The project, guided by shop lead Mark Kochan, has taken six to eight weeks to restore the 1900 period brick forge in the Pearly Monroe blacksmith shop. We really have enjoyed the opportunity to put to use the tools and techniques as they were used during the 1900’s.

George Megee, our Monday smith, donated the material from his private collection of “good stuff”(check with his wife Sue). Mark and Andy Sichak then created the patterns from the original, cut and drilled the metal and assembled the hood. Mark put considerable time and effort into hand making all of the 48 rivets used in the assembly
of the hood.

The forge hood is an exact reproduction of the original hood. Stop by and take a look! We will be happy to share a blow by blow description of the construction. I wonder what we should do next ?

Last Updated on Saturday, 02 May 2009 16:33

May/June Newsletter is Now Available

Tuesday, 28 April 2009 06:33 webmaster

The newsletter has been posted and is ready for you to read. You can download or open it by clicking on the Golden Flakes link (left side of home page under Main Menu) and then on the May/June link. You can also click on the link provided below to directly access the newsletter.

May/June 2009 Newsletter

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