Historic Wintersburg part of Smithsonian traveling exhibit, Journey Stories at Heritage Museum of Orange County, Saturday, Oct. 25

JOURNEY STORIES: The Shinyo Maru at the dock in 1912.  This is a snip of a larger photograph taken by Charles Furuta, documenting his voyage  back to Japan in 1912 to meet his bride, Yukiko Yajima.  Charles Furuta had been in America for twelve years, had acquired the property in Wintersburg Village, and felt he could now support a wife.  Charles and Yukiko returned to America on the same ship line. (Photograph snip, Courtesy of the Furuta family). © All rights reserved.

   Join Historic Wintersburg at the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibit, Journey Stories, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, October 25, at the Heritage Museum of Orange County.  

Right: Promotional ticket for the Shinyo Maru's Toyo Kisen-Kaisha ship line.  Travelers underwent a vigorous screening in the early 1900s.  When Charles Furuta first traveled to America in 1900, his ship, the SS Glenogle, like other steamships of the time, was disinfected to kill rats, its passengers’ baggage steamed to avoid contagion. Upon arrival in Hawaii--Charles Furuta's original destination--passengers were not allowed to disembark due to the Black Plague.  He continued on to the mainland of America.  There was risk and little luxury in ocean travel for those making their journey across the Pacific Ocean to America. 
 
   Walk the beautiful 12-acre grounds and explore the historic buildings at the Heritage Museum to see displays from the Smithsonian and local historical groups, representing the stories of Orange County's pre history---the first Californians---and of the diverse pioneer journeys.  The exhibits and discussions on Saturday, October 25, are focused on the unique cultures that created Orange County.

   Look for Historic Wintersburg's display in the Rose Garden Lawn, and for a discussion about Historic Wintersburg and Orange County's Japanese pioneers on the steps of the historic Maag House at 1:30 p.m.  Just prior to this, at 1 p.m., is a performance of taiko drum by the group, Jodaiko, from the University of California - Irvine.

    Historic Wintersburg thanks the Heritage Museum for including the history of Orange County's Japanese pioneers and one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.  Our display will highlight the Journey Stories of Historic Wintersburg and volunteers will be available to talk about how you can help save this rare, endangered historic place.

  Don't forget!  Historic Wintersburg's Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign continues through November 30.  We need your help to save one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places!  Go to https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/save-historic-wintersburg#home 

   Our special thanks to all the sponsors who helped bring the Smithsonian Institution's Journey Stories to Orange County!  These wonderful sponsors and organizations are helping keep Orange County heritage alive for future generations.

   The Heritage Museum of Orange County is located at 3101 W Harvard Street in Santa Ana, California.  Go to http://heritagemuseumoc.org for more information. 

© All rights reserved.  No part of the Historic Wintersburg blog may be reproduced or duplicated without prior written permission from the author and publisher, M. Adams Urashima.