Gilroy Museum
The basement area of Gilroy ' s Carnegie Library had remained with an unfinished dirt surface. In the mid-1950 ' s, the basement was remodelled to become a " community room.” Soon thereafter, Armand White proposed to the City of Gilroy that a portion of the basement could serve as a small " museum " sharing the room with the storage needs of the Carnegie Library. His first exhibit featured Victorian glassware, probably collected from his mother ' s family. Subsequently, he developed an exhibit called " Pioneer Days " in 1962. In 1963, the City of Gilroy designated the basement area of the Carnegie Library as the Gilroy Museum with Armand White serving as the first director, and he would also be appointed as City Historian and would serve as a volunteer member of the Library and Culture Commission.
Just as significant was Armand White ' s determination, beginning in 1954, to clean up the dilapidated Old St. Mary ' s Cemetery. The old cemetery associated with St Mary Church since 1865 had fallen into disrepair through neglect, with headstones broken and overturned. Over the years, the Gilroy Historical Society has sponsored many cleanup days and some fundraisers. The recent hero of Old St. Mary Cemetery has been Mr. Dave Peoples. Mr. Peoples pursued an effort beginning in 2015, acting as the de facto steward of the St. Mary Church Cemetery, to transform the appearance and security of the property. More substantial and attractive fencing was installed, countless hours of research were involved learning the stories of those who were interred, and with the help of like-minded volunteers, the gravesites were repaired, tombstones replaced and new markers set out as new burial locations were identified.
Armand White ' s basement exhibits were combined with the collections of the newly forming Gilroy Historical Society temporarily being housed at the Old City Hall. The City of Gilroy had decided that the growing community needed a more modern administrative facility than the 1905 Flemish style structure located at Sixth and Monterey Streets. In 1958, office space was temporarily established inside of Wheeler Auditorium. Community discussions started about what should become of City Hall. By 1965, the Gilroy City Council approved the architectural plans for a new administrative campus with a new police station to be occupied on Rosanna Street. Would Old City Hall become obsolete?
A 1963 structural report declared that City Hall was an unsafe building and by 1965 it was finally vacated. Demolition of Old City Hall was actively discussed. However, at a March 7,1966 public hearing, many residents cited the historic and sentimental value of the building. George Porcella and Margaret Thomas spoke in favor of preserving the Old City Hall. And Carl Bolfing prepared an eloquent letter expressing the civic pride that the building represented. A month later, the first public meeting was held for a new civic group, the Gilroy Historical Society with Mr. Bolfing as its first leader. Armand White was among the founding members.
As the new City Hall campus was developed, a new home for the aging Carnegie Library was also considered. It was not until 1975 that a new library building was constructed near the new city administration complex. Armand White ' s health was failing in the late 1960 ' s and Mary Prien( 1912-1998) would step into the role of Museum Curator and City Historian. Ms. Prien had worked at Wheeler Hospital for a few years as a registered nurse until 1935. Her father, Dr. Roland Prien, purchased the family home at 515 Fifth Street, at the corner with Dowdy Street, to be close to the hospital. The home had been built by Willian Radtke, Sr. in 1922 as his family residence. The Radtke home, later the Prien ' s home in 1935, was one of the original parcels from the subdivision of a Miller & Lux property. Mary Prien would serve as the first director of the expanded Gilroy Museum located at the former Carnegie Library.
An important side story about Dr. Prien involves a house originally built in 1900 and then moved to 7750 Hanna Street, which served the community as the Quale Maternity Home. For fifteen years, from 1923 until 1941, Dr. Prien, working with Ms. Mildred Heisman, a nurse-midwife, would deliver more than 200 Gilroy babies. The maternity ward of Wheeler Hospital was finally opened in 1941.
There are many more stories and accomplishments to be shared about the Gilroy Museum and the Gilroy Historical Society. As private volunteer organizations, their efforts through the years have made valuable and lasting contributions to our community. Walking tours, historical plaques and monuments, informational programs, school outreach efforts and interviews with long-time residents are just a few of many vital ways that keep our heritage alive for future generations. The City of Gilroy is most fortunate to have enjoyed the dedication of volunteer citizens to tell the history of our home. Community support has been the key to its longevity.
For more information:
Gilroy Historical Society website: Gilroy Historical Society
Gilroy Historical Society & The Gilroy Museum Facebook Page: Gilroy Historical Society Facebook Gilroy Miller Red Barn: Miller Red Barn
Mike Monroe is a long-time Gilroy resident and dedicated local historian with a passion for exploring and sharing the South County’ s history, landscapes and indigenous sites. He is vice-president of the Miller Red Barn Association, a life-long member of the Gilroy Historical Society, a volunteer and former board member of the Morgan Hill Historical Society, and a regular contributor to Gilroy Morgan Hill TODAY. For over 25 years, Mike has been a columnist for Gilroy and Morgan Hill Life, the Gilroy Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times, and other local publications and has presented local history to groups and organizations throughout South County. Contact Mike at: mike. valleyofheartsdelight @ gmail. com
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