The Agricultural History Project of the Central Coast
Nestled into the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds west of Watsonville, the Agricultural History Project has its origins in the Pajaro Valley Historical Society’s moves to create a “Pioneer Village”—it stands today as a testament to the importance of preserving the farm and ranch heritage of a fertile region.
Launched and maintained by dedicated volunteers, many individuals, companies and foundations have donated funds, materials and equipment over the years to bring the project to its present stage.
A recent visit with members of the Miller Red Barn Committee left us all in awe of the way the Ag Project pulls the community together in a celebration of farming, ranching and processing. People of all ages pored over exhibits, fully engaged, talking and laughing while painlessly learning (as a retired teacher, I’m aware classroom instruction is painful to some) about the history, geography and economy of the Central Coast. Personally, I feel the ultimate goal of this sort of hands-on learning about ones own area is to help people gain a sense of connection to the community and by this means to make it a better place to live. I believe people come to feel they have a stake in making their community a peaceful, beautiful, friendly and prosperous place.
Enjoy a ride over Hecker Pass, through the redwoods and up to a splendid view of the Pajaro Valley and Pacific Ocean. Motor across the farmland east of Watsonville and make a mental note of stopping later at Gizdich Ranch (http://www.gizdich-ranch.com, an excellect example of a family using their barn and farm to make a living andprovide pleasure for visitors). As you enter the Fairgrounds, you will see a beautiful white home and tank house—this home was relocated from the nearby property of John Steinbeck’s sister. To your right is the big barn of the Agricultural History Project and the park-like setting for
the Porter Implement Shed, the Borina Tractor Barn, the Snyder Restoration Barn, and other exhibits.
Those of us with the Miller Red Barn Committee were constantly saying things like, “I know the __________ family has an old tractor (or a collection of prune boxes or old photographs, etc.) like this…I’ll bet they’d be thrilled to display it if we just had a suitable place in Gilroy.” My mind went to the 1923 Seagrave Fire Engine, the 1880’s era Fire Hose Cart and the railroad luggage cart that have been lovingly restored….how wonderful it would be to have a place where artifacts like these could be available for the whole town to see, instead of appearing just once a year in a parade. I thought of objects in the Gilroy Museum, too big or numerous to display so they sit unseen in the basement.
The entire grounds was a beehive of activity; children petting rabbits and chickens, families clambering onboard an old caboose, kids painting posters, the sound of rushing water as young ones pulled up and down on a set of antique water pumps, families giggling from a giant wagon pulled behind a tractor, people oohing and ahhing over wooden carriages and a water wheel with grinding mill and old trucks and saddles and ancient washing machines and…well, you get the idea.
Who wouldn’t want a place like this, a place to learn and have fun, in their town?
“Barn Again” highlights South County barns and farm buildings, documenting and savoring the beauty and function of our agricultural heritage and sharing the rich stories of community members who own and preserve these treasures.
The author is anxious for contributions and asks readers for suggestions about barns and farm buildings to feature, photos and information about past and present barns, and about agriculture-related collections like milk bottles, tractors, tools and more.
You can see even more photos on a Shutterfly “Share Site”, also titled BARN AGAIN! (https://barnagaingilroy.shutterfly.com), including photos of the Miller Barn by Gilroy’s talented amateur photographer, Don Culver.
