The NorCal section is having a spring gathering in Grass Valley, CA on Saturday May 17. This is intended to be an event that can be enjoyed by spouses/partners and other family members and similar in character to the visit we had at the Kennedy Mine in Jackson some years ago.
Firstly, Grass Valley and its near neighbor, Nevada City, are wonderful destinations for an overnight or weekend getaway. Both have charming old downtowns that date to the gold rush era and have wonderfully preserved period buildings. There are lots of both B&B and modern accommodations, excellent dining and many art and antique stores. For more information, look up www.grassvalleychamber.com and www.nevadacitychamber.com.
There are two locations of great interest to the mining community, the Empire Mine State Park and the North Star Mineral Museum. A brochure for the Empire is attached. We will gather in the Empire parking lot at 11.30am for lunch. There are picnic tables adjacent to the parking lot. You are welcome to bring your own lunch or we will pick up a sandwich for you at Raleys for $10 and we will have bottles of water.
The Empire Mine was owned by the Bourn family in the 19th and early 20th century and features an estate lodge, gardens and other buildings as well as the old mineyard. The site has a garden tour at 1015am. Estate tours at 11.30 and 1.30 and mineyard tours at 12.30 and 2.30. Tours are limited to 25 people and fill up early on weekends so you will need to let Ed McCarthy know, and he will be there at opening to sign attendees up. There is a 5$/person feed to enter the park and food is not allowed inside.
The North Star Museum does not open until noon. It is about a mile away from the Empire and we have arranged for a guided tour to begin at 12.15. It is limited to 15, and parking is very limited at that Museum. A highlight in the North Star is the Pelton Wheel, which was developed in Grass Valley area in the 1870s. If more people want to see the North Star, we will arrange a second tour at 130pm. The North Star does not have an entry fee but asks for voluntary donations. SME NorCal will be making a donation.
Raleys sandwiches are the Mediterranean Veggie and the Santa Cruz (turkey and trimmings).
Let Ed McCarthy know about your tour and food preferences. Text 303-324-8248 or email perfmin17@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you on May 17.
