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In Recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum

Date: Sept. 9, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History


IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORD HOUSE VISITOR CENTER AND MUSEUM -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 09, 2004)

SPEECH OF HON. MIKE THOMPSON
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2004

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum as it celebrates its 150th Anniversary.

In 1851 Jerome Bursley Ford arrived on the Mendocino Coast and discovered the lumber resources he needed to help build the City of San Francisco. He returned to Mendocino with the equipment and men needed to establish the first sawmill in the area. The town of Mendocino, a quaint New England style village, grew up around the Mendocino Lumber Company. In 1854, Mr. Ford made plans to build a new home from the locally milled lumber for his new bride, Martha Hayes. The newlyweds arrived following their East coast wedding to inhabit the house on July 4, 1854.

The Ford House remained a company home until the lumber company closed in 1938. In the early 1970's, a local artist, Emmy Lou Packard, initiated a community effort to save the coastal headlands on which the house is located, from commercial development. This successful citizen action resulted in the California Department of Parks and Recreation purchasing the house in 1972 and eventually restoring it to its 1870 décor.

In 1984 it opened its doors as the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum. The Museum houses artifacts related to the important historical contribution of the lumber industry to Mendocino. Artist Len Peterson handcrafted a scale model of the village as it was in 1890 and a scale wooden loading chute to illustrate how lumber was loaded onto schooners.
There is a room of early logging history including photos and tools. Seasonal exhibits of natural history are also on display.

Mendocino Area Parks Association, a not for profit organization, provides oversight and raises funds for the Ford House. The Center is staffed by volunteers who share their knowledge and enthusiasm with over 22,000 visitors each year.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we recognize Mendocino Ford House Visitor Center and Museum on the occasion of its 150th anniversary.

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