Old Monterey Foundation to hold third free lecture: "The Testimonies and Memoirs of Augustias de

MONTEREY, Calif. - July 30, 2018 - PRLog -- Old Monterey Foundation continues its popular season of free lecture events as part of its 2018 Lecture Series sponsored by The Marcia F. Devoe Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County with its third event.

AT A GLANCE:

What: "The Testimonies and Memoirs of Augustias de la Guerra Ord"

This lecture will focus on Angustias de la Guerra Ord (1815-1890) a prominent Californio woman who is considered by scholars today as the first woman historian of Hispanic California. Born as a subject of Spain to two of the most affluent and powerful Californio families, she lived through California's transition from Spanish-Mexican rule, and statehood. Her testimonio, Occurrences in Hispanic California (1878) reveals the complexities of Californio life and is critical to our current understanding of the local history of Monterey and Santa Barbara, signaling her close ties to notable military leaders of the Mexican Army and the U.S. Army, and in particular, the Ord family. She was witness to the Battle of Monterey and the role of Californios in defending Monterey from Bouchard's invasion.  Moreover, her testimonio and journal present shifting narrative discourses regarding the politics of language, culture, and race/ethnicity during California's transition to statehood.

Bill Wojtkowski, President of the Old Monterey Foundation Board of Directors, will also present a short overview of recent improvements accomplished and planned for the Lower Presidio Historic Park.

When: Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Where: Irvine Auditorium, McCone Building, MIIS; 499 Pierce Street, Monterey (https://maps.google.com/?q=499+Pierce+Street,+Monterey&am...)

Free Admission - Reception to follow.

For more information about Old Monterey Foundation, call (831) 346-3030 (tel:(831)%20346-3030) or visitwww.oldmontereyfoundation.org

The lectures are very popular so attendees are urged to come early to secure a seat.

This lecture is suitable for ages 9 and up.

About Christine Fernandez

Christine Fernández is an Assistant Professor of Spanish language and Latin American Literature and Culture at CSU Monterey Bay, where she teaches in the School of World Languages and Cultures. Her teaching and research interests include: Latin American / U.S. Latino literature and film, women writers, gender studies, and digital humanities. She earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages & Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and her past teaching appointments include Hamilton College, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

About Old Monterey Foundation

The Old Monterey Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed on February 14, 2011, with the specific mission and purpose of promoting, supporting and enhancing the artistic, cultural and historic environment of historic Downtown Monterey, California.  The group is well known for their work with the Art-in-the-Adobes event that was held from 2011-2013 as well as other fundraisers, lectures and events.  Its private/public partnership with the City of Monterey heralds a new way of doing public business in a State strapped to find funds for park operations and expansions.

The Lower Presidio Historic Park, described as "The Most Historically Significant Site on the West Coast" and "One of the Most Beautiful Places in Monterey", is becoming a true historic public park to be enjoyed by locals and visitors. Old Monterey Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Monterey, has raised initial funds to complete Phase One of the project to enhance and restore this historic 25.3-acre site. In 2017, it installed nine new interpretive signs, a white wooden perimeter fence, and two new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible pathways of the Harbor Trail which extends to the Serra Monument and the Vista Trail that goes up the hill to the Sloat Monument.

Old Monterey Foundation is continuing to seek public donations to help complete Phase One of the project, which is improving amenities around the Park with picnic tables, benches, directional signs, and a sidewalk connecting the two trails.  Plans for other improvements, including rebuilding the stables and incorporation of the adjacent Viscaino Park are in the works.

Old Monterey Foundation raised funds for new picnic tables and benches, recently installed at the park. There are now a total of eight convenient picnic tables and five benches on site at this beautiful park which is now a perfect picnic destination!

Many local organizations have played a role in the development of this project including Old Monterey Foundation, the Neighborhood Improvement Program, City of Monterey, Rotary Club of Monterey, Community Foundation for Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Presidio of Monterey and Granite Construction. The project is funded by the City of Monterey's Neighborhood Improvement Program.

The Lower Presidio Historic Park is one of the least-visited historic parks in the area due to some confusion about whether the public is allowed in the area.   Situated in a "hidden in plain sight" location, the Park can be found above Pacific Street at the Lighthouse Curve in Downtown Monterey. The park features spectacular views of the Monterey Bay and Harbor and will become a jewel of the City of Monterey's park system.

Old Monterey Foundation invites everyone to become members of "Friends of the Lower Presidio" at  www.oldmontereyfoundation.org and make tax-deductible donations to more quickly restore the park.

The City of Monterey Outreach Office produced an informative short video about the Lower Presidio Historic Park and its significance to California and American history:  https://youtu.be/Lg7X0spnC4k.