An Update From
Juana Briones Heritage
Year's end 2007
Dear Friend of the Juana Briones House:
On Thursday November 1 at 3 pm in Esther Clark Park, at the end of Old Adobe Road in Palo Alto, we formally dedicated the new State Historical Marker commemorating the life and land of Juana Briones on the site of her historic rancho. November first is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) when, in Mexican tradition, departed ancestors are remembered and celebrated. It is in the spirit of this holiday that we celebrated the heritage of Juana Briones.
As we assembed at the new monument , I don't think we could have had a more perfect day for the dedication of the Juana Briones Historical Marker. We had a wonderful time listening to many of the people who had contributed to the establishment of the monument and I express my great appreciation for the formal dedication which was led by Palo Alto's Mayor, Yoriko Kishimoto. Although this was the serious business of our gathering it was really a celebration and a happy party, with the inspiring music of Jorge Prado and his Mariachi Marvels and the beautiful Castro School Folkloic Dancers. We ate Pan de Muerte and drank Mexican hot chocolate which Melanie Cross provided as well as apple juice.
See a few photos that encapsule the day
This celebration represents a turning point in the long struggle to celebrate and honor the memory of this Latina Pioneer and especially to preserve the Juana‘s home which is located a few hundred feet from the monument. The Juana Briones Heritage Foundation, which carried the burden of the cause for many years, has dissolved as a non-profit corporation, but that does not signify an end to the issue. In its place the local historical society PAST has come forward and retained the legal services of Susan Brent-Hawley which has resulted in a stay of the demolition order that had been granted. The case remains in the courts.
Palo Alto Online News Story
Donations to the cause can be made to PAST.
If you are donating for saving the Juana Briones House through your employer who makes matching contributions, and require other than a post office box, the PAST address is 351 Homer Avenue Palo Alto 94301. PAST has an office there, in the Museum of American Heritage. PAST originally donated $4000 to saving the Briones House, and now has allocated $5,000 in matching funds through December 31. Be sure to write Briones on the 'For' line of your check. As yet, no date has been set for the court hearing. The P.O. Box address is PAST, Box 308, Palo Alto 94302.
Driving directions to the monument: From Foothill Expressway, take Arastradero Road into the hills.
At 4/10th mile turn left on Old Adobe Road. Proceed one quarter mile. to the monument.
Clark and Kathy Akatiff
Tony Cisneros
Jeanne McDonnell
Corrie Jimenez