New Board of Directors

The IBAHS held their board election December 4 during the General Meeting at River's Edge Cafe at 7 Main Street. Here are the officers and board members for the upcoming term:
President: Charlene Andersson
Vice President: Ligaya Apalit
Secretary: Pamela Bulahan
Treasurer: Cookie Stait-Gardner
Board of Directors: Karen Franscioni, Ross Peters, Joani Johnson, Bill Cox, and Ed Concepcion

Grand Opening of Museum at 203 Second Street

The Grand Opening of the IBAHS museum site at 203 Second Street (also known as the Big Red Building and Gardiner Improvement Building) was amply attended this past December 3rd and 4th. Isleton Mayor Christopher Stokes cut the opening day ribbon and building owner Steve Rosenthal was presented a commemorative plaque by Joani Johnson. About 75 patrons witnessed the opening ceremonies. December 3 saw a total attendance tally of 110 patrons, some monetary donations, and sales of t-shirts and books. December 4 had a total attendance tally of 41 attendees and also some donations.

Opening hours of the museum are from 12pm - 3pm on Saturdays with the exception of December 17 through January 7. As the weather improves opening hours may be extended in the future. We are gladly accepting volunteers to be museum docents. Please contact museum Curator Ed Concepcion at (916) 777-4426 for details. The museum is also accepting private viewing tours by appointment. Again, please contact Curator Ed Concepcion at (916) 777-4426 for more information.

The museum is putting out the call for any and all photo information on anything of and about the Isleton Brannan-Andrus area for future exhibitions in the museum. We will scan photos so you can keep your original. Other artifacts for showing in the museum are welcome as well. Please make arrangements with President Charlene Andersson at (916) 777-5186 or Curator Ed Concepcion.

Interim Museum Location

The temporary museum for the Isleton Brannan Andrus Historical Society will be located at 203 Second Street - also known as the old Gardiner Improvement Company building, featured in our September 2005 Archives on this site. The grand opening for the museum will be on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 and opening hours both days are from 11 AM to 4 PM. Photo exhibits and other artifacts will be prominently displayed and everybody is encouraged to view them in this historic structure!

Bing Kong Tong Building

The Bing Kong Tong Building was the site for many celebrations such as this in its heyday. It was built after the Main Street fire of 1926. The Bing Kong Tong served many functions to the Chinese community. The first floor was a cultural language school for the children as well as a Chinese community hall. The second floor was a temple for Chinese men only and a room for the visiting Bing Kong Tong Association officers.

Today this building is in need of restoration for its future use as a museum for the IBAHS and also to meet again for future celebrations for all residents and visitors of Isleton. This project has been funded in part by a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Click "comments" and post any feedback concerning the Tong Building under this blog.

Japanese Buddhist Temple

The Japanese Buddhist minister and the Young Mens' Association are proudly photographed in 1935 in front of their Buddhist Temple, which served as their temple of worship and also as their community hall of celebration. This temple still stands at 409 F Street. It is now the All Nations Church of God.

IBAHS June Newsletter now online!

You can now view the June 2005 IBAHS News here: http://www.isletonhistory.org/ibahs_news_0605.pdf

Read, and enjoy!

History of Main Street Structures and Sites

One of the projects we are working on is the history of each structure or location on Main Street. If you have any pertinent information on any of the structures or locations on Main Street do not hesitate to contact us.

First montly update completed!

The Chong Brothers image is up on the front page, along with a new page which will contain the past archives of all front page entries. This news page has also been changed to make it a bit more readable, and more links have been added at the links page.

Don't forget to submit news items to pam@isletonhistory.org so that she can post them here! If there's an update to the Tong building, it should be here. If there's a new event, it should be here. Send away! She can also post images here to boot, so you can send her your Isleton historical photos and images and she can post them here, like so:

So turn in your news articles today and keep this site alive!

Board of Directors Meetings

The IBAHS Board of Directors will meet at the Delta Daze Inn, 20 Main Street at 6pm on the first and third Wednesdays monthly, with additional meetings as needed. The Board of Directors meeting schedule is also listed in the Isleton PTA Community Birthday Calendar. The next meeting is September 28, 2005 at 6pm, continued from the September 21, 2005 regular Board meeting.

Need feedback on the site

Here is the site thus far. More photos and stories will be added shortly. Any and all feedback regarding the site is most appreciated.

New Site!

We here at the IBAHS are working hard to bring you this new site for news and information on events and happenings of historical and/or cultural significance in the Isleton area. We hope you find it enjoyable and informative!

Expect more news updates in the coming weeks detailing the events in the area, as well as the exhibits and the progress on the new museum. We are trying to rebuild the Bing Kung Tong building to house our exhibits, and you can help. See our "About Us" page (click home, then About Us) to find the membership forms, or donate and have a permanent place in our new museum: a plaque on the wall, with your message, and for business and corporate sponsors, their logo and company name. And if you can't help that way, well, you can always donate any historical artifacts from the area's past. Photos, letters, you name it. You can use the contact form (also at the home page menu) to let us know how to get in touch with you.

Thanks, and enjoy!