Category Archives: Uncategorized

Three California Paintings

Posted on January 30, 2025 by nancyleek

Hidden away in a back gallery at the Haggin Museum in Stockton are three genre paintings of everyday life in early California. The prominent galleries at the front of the Haggin Museum hold an impressive collection of European (mostly French) … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Bancroft Library

Posted on January 24, 2025 by nancyleek

It’s a happy day when I can spend a few hours reading old papers in the Bancroft Library. To me there is nothing that can compare to holding authentic original letters and manuscripts from days long past. On Thursday I … Continue reading →

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Upcoming Presentations

Posted on January 12, 2025 by nancyleek

I have several talks and presentations to give in the coming months. A couple of them don’t have dates yet, but I’ve got plans. First up is a talk at Kelly-Griggs House in Red Bluff on Saturday, January 18, at … Continue reading →

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A Visit to the Sutter County Museum

Posted on January 9, 2025 by nancyleek

Today Jim and I took a little drive down 99 to Yuba City to visit the Sutter County Museum. I’ve been meaning to get there for a long time now, because I like small hometown history museums, and because I … Continue reading →

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On the Impeachment of Pres. Andrew Johnson

Posted on January 5, 2025 by nancyleek

In March 1868 John Bidwell was in Washington D.C., awaiting his wedding day. Back home in California, the brother of his bride-to-be, John R. Kennedy, had been left in charge of Rancho Chico. Concerned about business on the ranch, Bidwell … Continue reading →

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A Bidwell New Year, 1869

Posted on December 31, 2024 by nancyleek

John Bidwell wrote to his mother-in-law, Catherine Kennedy, on December 31, 1868, striking a humorous note on the weather: The other John here is Annie’s brother John Kennedy, who had come to California for his health. It looks like they … Continue reading →

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A Butte County Christmas, 1856

Posted on December 22, 2024 by nancyleek

A minimum of three Christmas balls on Christmas Eve! Music, dancing, supper, and hopefully, some young ladies. Note the price for the one in Oroville — $8.00. It had better be good for that price. And on Christmas Day there … Continue reading →

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Hotels in Early Chico

Posted on November 15, 2024 by nancyleek

If you were traveling on the stagecoach from Sacramento to Shasta City in 1862, and wanted to stop over in Chico, where would you stay? How about here? Well, not in 1862. The Chico Hotel burned down more than once, … Continue reading →

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Children’s Books on the California Gold Rush

Posted on September 26, 2024 by nancyleek

Last Sunday I gave a presentation at the Kelly-Griggs House Museum in Red Bluff about Alvin Coffey, the Gold Rush, and slavery in California. One of the attendees asked if I could recommend books for children about the California Gold … Continue reading →

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Upcoming Talks

Posted on August 6, 2024 by nancyleek

I have a couple of talks scheduled for September, so if you are in the neighborhood, I hope you will come and say, “Hi!” On Saturday, September 21st I will be speaking at the Butte County Historical Society about my … Continue reading →

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