BY TIM MCNALLY
Contributing Writer
After visiting the Milliken Museum in Los Banos, students from the Los Banos Campus of Merced College have come away with new and exciting finds about Los Banos and surrounding areas.
It was a class assignment for their college history class. Students made the trip individually and had many reflections on their museum visit.
As Blanca De La Cruz noted, “There is so much beautiful history about Los Banos that I think everyone should know. I would recommend everyone to go and learn a little more about our town and hopefully share their experiences with others. I didn’t realize that the largest barbed wire collection in the world is on display in the museum.”
Other findings included the history of the May Day Fair, personal accounts of families that were sent to internment camps during World War II and letters sent to parents that their son was missing in action in WWII. “I cannot imagine the pain and worry the parents must have felt,” Irma Esquival said.
“I found typewriters that I didn’t even know how to use,” Ismael Cordero said, “and the original buggy car that Henry miller actually used. What was most exciting to me was the early Spanish caballeros mural that was painted for the Los Banos Post Office. The story surrounding it is fascinating.”
“I was shocked to find that President Kennedy actually came through Los Banos for the groundbreaking of San Luis Dam,” said Kristina London. “His full speech for that occasion is available at the museum.”
“Being from Gustine,” Leslie Renteria noted, “it was interesting to find out that Henry Miller lived in Los Banos, not Gustine as I originally thought. Also, I think that my town Gustine was actually named after a little girl named Gussie.”
“I learned an incredible amount about Paula Fatjo,” said Josephine Rodriquez. “What a vaquero she was to farm her land. She was such an interesting woman who has a great legacy.”
“Francisco Perez Pacheco was the most interesting person I found,” said Kasandra Arguello. “Just think of all the things in Los Banos named after him.”
“I didn’t think there would be anything of interest in the museum,” Asma Alburati said, “but thanks to an enthusiastic guide, I came across the history of the Soroptimist Club in Los Banos. What an influential group they were!”
“Wow! The history of the Crest Theater in Los Banos, now Jams 209, is such a great place for Los Banos residents to visit,” said Heaven Cerda.
“All the fossils I got to see were amazing,” said Katie Pritsch, including elephant bones and mammoth jaws. And there was a ton of information on ducks and duck hunters.”
“The traditions of the May Day Fair and Henry Miller were so interesting,” said Angel Cervantez.
“Personal accounts of Japanese American families living in internment camps were incredible,” said Humberto Garcia, “It brought to my mind the effects of prejudice.”
Most students expressed that they enjoyed learning about the extensive background information on immigrants, Native Americans and Los Banos founders. They also praised the guides as being so great and enthusiastic.
Guadalupe Esquivel came with her family. “I went with my entire family,” she said. “My sister and I were really engaged in the war accounts, while my little sister went on the scavenger hunt offered at the museum. She found everything! What a day! My family is going back this weekend.”
Several other students contributed to this story. Their responses are on file at the Milliken Museum. Many thanks go to Dan Nelson, Sally Arambel and other museum staff for assisting the students.
The museum assignment is just one example of the relevant learning that takes place at the local college campus.
The Milliken Museum, on Pacheco Boulevard in Pacheo Park, is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
