GILROY
– History is alive and well in Gilroy thanks to local author
Claudia Salewske.
GILROY – History is alive and well in Gilroy thanks to local author Claudia Salewske.
Her new book, “Gilroy,” is part of Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. Its release on Nov. 19 has been long awaited by the community.
Salewske, a resident of Gilroy for 27 years, published the much loved “Pieces of the Past: A Story of Gilroy” in 1982 when she was a teacher at Gilroy High School.
“I had developed a workbook and coloring book for grade-three students. That is when they study their local history,” she said. “The original book grew out of that project.”
She and her husband shouldered the expense of publishing that book. Claudia did the marketing herself, hand-selling “Pieces of the Past” locally. A percentage of the sales was donated to the museum. Her hard work and word-of-mouth publicity have made the book a local favorite.
“It sold out quickly,” said Cathy Mirelez, arts and cultural programs and museum supervisor for the City of Gilroy. “We only have one copy on file at the museum, and people keep asking for it. It’s great to have an updated version we can offer to our patrons again.”
Salewske had thought about updating the book over the years, but her life was busy as she worked toward a new career. She has been a professor in the English Department of San Jose State University for eight years, teaching children’s and young adult literature. A chance meeting with the president of the Gilroy Historical Society gave her a chance to look at updating the book.
“It was one of those Nob Hill grocery store conversations,” Connie Rogers said. “I had just received information from Arcadia Publishing about their Images of America series, and I asked Claudia if she would look over the information. Arcadia covers the publishing and marketing costs, and it has turned out to be a great opportunity to update ‘Pieces of the Past.’ ”
“The Images of America series required between 180 to 240 photographs. I sat down with Lucy Solorazono, the museum’s director, and after looking through the archival material I knew I could do this,” Salewske said. “I wrote a proposal for Arcadia, and it became my summer project.”
The museum staff worked closely with Salewske to select the best representation of Gilroy’s history.
“The photographs provided by the museum have really made this book” Salewske said. “I also talked to several dozen people, looked through stories by The Dispatch staff and borrowed scrapbooks full of slides from the Garlic Festival Association. I worked with local artist Carol Peters who created some exquisite line drawings of the Ohlone Indians.”
The book retails for $19.99 and if purchased at the museum 25 percent of the price plus some of the book’s royalties will be donated to the Gilroy Museum.
“It provides a nice nest egg for the museum,” Mirelez said. “The publication of her book is great timing for our Victorian Christmas celebration on December 6. Claudia will be signing copies of her book at the museum that day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.”
“Gilroy has such a sense of pride,” Salewske said. “It’s never a bragging thing. They pull together as a community and want to share their success. The citizens have donated important archival material to the museum, and the local pioneers want to share their history. I see this book as my gift to the community.”
Copies of “Gilroy” are also available at The Wise Owl and the Garlic Shoppe in Gilroy. For more information on the Victorian Christmas celebration, call Community Services at 846-0460.
