History of Eastern California Museum Association Recalled

Changes made recently in the officers and governing board of the Eastern California Museum 
Association, recall something of the origin and history of this organization.  For the 
first time in its 15 years' life, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Parcher are not among its leaders.  
To Mrs. Parcher is due its existence, many of its policies and its accomplishments, while 
Mr. Parcher has always been one of its leaders, also.  Early in 1928 rapid changes 
occurring in Owens Valley forced a realization that much historical data and material 
concerning Inyo County would soon be lost unless means of preserving them were found.  At 
the same time, a group of young men were interested in collecting the remains of Indian 
culture, locating and photographing their petroglyphs, and in any way possible recreating 
the history of a partly vanished way of life.

Lead in Effort

Among these young men were Frank Parcher, Charles Forbes, and William Sanford.  Frank's 
mother, Mrs. W. C. Parcher, shared their interest, and was also very desirous of keeping 
the records of pioneer life in this region.  Wild flowers and other plants, she felt, 
should be collected and exhibited, while no resident of the county could be blind to the 
local enthusiasm for all sorts of mineral collections.  It was her plan that a museum be 
made of these varied exhibits, and this resulted in the formation of the Eastern 
California Museum Association in May 1928, with Mrs. Parcher as the first president, a 
position which she has held several times since.

Collections Made

She strove from the first to develop a broadly comprehensive collection, with departments 
of history, Indian anthropology, botany, geology, and mineralogy.  How well she succeeded 
may be seen by even a casual visit to the museum.  She interested many local persons in 
this work; W. A. Chalfant and John Dixon, with others, in bringing in articles, books and 
family records of local history; Douglas Robinson in geology and mineralogy, etc.  In the 
early years of the association, annual dinners were a feature, with learned or witty 
papers presented to large crowds.  On one occasion the Garden Club cooperated by serving 
afternoon tea, where guests might choose between orange pekoe and "Indian Tea," and 
between commonplace sandwiches and acorn board.  Another feature of early days were the 
field trips, often in conjunction with the California Historical Association or the 
Southwest Museum.

Besides the casual visitors who frequent the museum, the occasional writers, scientists, 
and collectors attest its value, always finding many things of genuine worth to examine.  
Lately the crowded conditions have precluded any active promotion of adding to the 
collections, with the exception of the typed histories of pioneer families, and other 
materials which take up little space.  But even with this handicap, the place is of great 
interest to the classes which come annually form schools from Bishop to Olancha, and to 
every one who cares for local history, minerals, wild flowers, or Indian artifacts.

Historical sites

An activity in which the association has always been interested especially during the 
presidency of W. C. Parcher, and which can be continue whether or not conditions are 
favorable for other developments in the museum, is the signing of historical sites, of 
which the marker recently placed at Fort Independence is an example.  Another is the 
tracing of old trails, such as those Fremont and Joe Walker, which Douglas Robinson has 
located throughout the length of the valley.

While missing the help of several of the group who originated and developed the museum, 
the Eastern California Museum Association hopes to continue as usefully in the future, 
under the leadership of its new president, Judge Wm. D. Dehy, who has always been one of 
the leading members, and his loyal officers.  Many things cannot be attempted in war 
time, but others can be carried out, and a fuller programs be planned to be taken up 
later on.

The Inyo Register
Bishop, Inyo County, California
May 28, 1943

Transcribed by Pat Houser for Inyo County GenWeb, August 30, 2004