Published: March 31, 2010

Heritage Preservation League of Folsom Awards Highlighted At Annual Gathering

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By Kathryn Corbett

The house was packed on a rainy evening, for the Folsom Heritage Preservation League annual gathering and award presentation, with HPL President, Loretta Hettinger, acting as MC.

Heritage Preservation League was delighted to be joined by some members of other non-profit organizations for the evening's special event, where Herb Puffer, Artie Davies, and Mary Otis were presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards for Preservation. The Folsom El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association received the Bud Davies Award for Community Partnership. June C. Chan received the June Hose Award for Preservation and Patrick Maxfield received an Appreciation Award.

The awards recognize significant contributions to the preservation of Folsom's history, though sometimes the honor goes beyond this boundary. Folsom is fortunate to have a dedicated, talented force of people who contribute so much to our community. Folsom is also blessed with many nonprofit organizations that present an important face and voice in our community and HPL was blessed to have some of them present.

These Awards acknowledge the accomplishments of those who have given so much, both honoring the recipients and bringing our community closer together.

Lifetime Achievement Awards for Preservation

1. Herb Puffer a native Folsomite was honored for his dedicated work honoring Native Americans, creating a respected repository in Folsom's Historic District's, "Pacific Western Traders" at 305 Wool Street. A place where Local and Native American history, culture and Arts lives and thrives. Herbert Puffer has produced a book from his devoted lifetime effort of the serious study of Joseph Libby Folsom. www.pacwesttraders.com

Kathryn Corbett accepted the award on Herb's behalf.

2. Artie Davies honored for her efforts for being at the forefront in preserving and promoting Historic Sutter Street, its Buildings and its past during the sixties revitalization process. Artie and her husband Bud paved the way in saving a number of the significant historic buildings and were on the front line in the effort to rebuild the Palmer Assay Office which is today our History Museum. We have an important legacy of what those initial efforts saved in creating a charming Old time Street. Artie spent her formative years on Mormon Island; this Folsomite was our long term City Clerk and Historical Society President.

3. Mary Otis has reached far beyond Folsom in her historic preservation efforts. Her accomplishments have touched our county and state in significant ways. She has made Folsom proud in her efforts of having highlighted Folsom's significant history in the top notch quarterly publication, "California HISTORIAN" for The Conference of California Historical Societies. Mary was instrumental in its production and continues as Editor Emerita for the publication. Mary lead the way for many distinguished honors in relation to history, too numerous to mention. We are so happy and proud that Mary calls Folsom home.

Deborah Grassal accepted the award on Mary's behalf.

The Bud Davies Award for Community Partnership In Preservation

4. The Folsom El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association - Was awarded for efforts to preserve, protect, educate and promote Folsom's Railroad heritage and provide enjoyment to All.

Today you can experience The Rail Museum on Wool Street, The yearly Hand Derby races and the exciting effort to get the Excursion Rail going towards Placerville. For membership information, call 916-990-3653.

Bill Anderson accepted the award on behalf of The Folsom El Dorado and Sacramento Historical Railroad Association.

The 2009 June Hose Award

5. June C. Chan - Honored for outstanding contributions toward preserving local Chinese History - June's family goes back to the first Chinese that settled in Folsom and created a community here. Her grandfather is the famed Oak Chan for whom our local elementary school was named. Folsom has 2 Chinese Cemeteries Chung Wah and, young wo which June has been at the forefront in preserving. Currently June and her brother Howard Jr are involved in efforts to restore the historic Howard Sr. and Mabel Chan House on Sutter Street which are projected to interpret the Chinese Heritage Story of Folsom.

Appreciation Award

6. Patrick Maxfield - was awarded our Appreciation Award with Thanks and gratitude for outstanding service to HPL as our Heritage Preservation League President during our 5 first formative years. Helping us get off the ground running.

To learn about being a member of the Heritage Preservation League or about Awards, call Kathryn Corbett at 916-353-0556

HPL Board Members

Loretta Hettinger, President
Nancy Percy, Vice President
Pat Binley, Treasurer
Anne Rhea, Secretary
Barbara Leary
Deino Trotta
Jeff Ferreira-Pro
Kathryn Corbett
Patrick Maxfield
Philip Rose