 Earline Farrell - 110th Anniversary  Sketch of History Corner by Randy Ball Borrowed from the SLO Historical Society was a table, almost identical to the one in the sketch, two quaint farm chairs, a pot-bellied stove, a child's rocker, a hutch, and a fern stand. Docent Jim Reed, refurbished the fern stand, made a shelf, repaired chairs, and created realistic lighting from hurricane lamps. |
The History of Living History Montaña de Oro State Park - Spooner Ranch House In Aug. 24, 2002 the Spooner Ranch House celebrated its 110th anniversary. Docent Earline Farrell, volunteered to interpret the history of the Ranch House. Having a flare for the dramatic, Earline came in costume. To add flavor to her interpretation, Earline decorated a corner in the Exhibit Room with Victorian Era items. Living History at the Spooner Ranch House had begun. On November 1, 2002 a proposal for a History Corner in the Exhibit Room was submitted to the state. Accompanying the proposal was a sketch drawn by docent, Randy Ball. The state approved the project, but instead of an Historical Corner, a Victorian Farm House Parlor was created. The unused video room (originally used as bedroom) was cleaned and painted. Furnishings were borrowed from the San Luis Obispo Historical Society. Small items were donated by docents. The window was covered with a lace tablecloth purchased at the Goodwill for $2.00. A rusty and broken pot-bellied stove was refurbished. A stove pipe was fashioned out of a cardboard tube by docent Jim Reed. Within a month the Spooner Ranch House "Parlor" was ready for visitors. The Living History presenters called themselves, "The Pecho Players." The first Living History was presented in the "Parlor" on December 15, 2002 by Phoebe Adams who took on the persona of Mrs. Thompson, the cook/housekeeper and Joyce Cory whose Living History Character was Mrs. McAbee, friend of Mrs. Thompson's. Some of the clothing was borrowed and the pot-bellied stove was temporarily without a stove pipe. Spring of 2003 three new players entered the scene, Earline Farrell as Mrs. Baxter, a medically trained woman who employed a hired girl; Rosemary Thorne, as Mrs. Thorne, a weaver whose husband was a teamster and a rancher; and Nancy Hillenberg as Miss Minnie Stocking, an outspoken spinster school teacher. In Dec. 2005, Debi Dinsmer appeared in the parlor as the perky Mrs. Katie Calloway of Clark Valley, an apple rancher and a woman of means who never let any grass grow under her feet. Bibliography |
|
 Spooner Ranch House Parlor Sept. 20, 2003  Mrs. McAbee - Mrs. Thompson "A Tribute to Mothers" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Special Presentations by the Pecho Players "Tableau de Pecho" March 1, 2003 Players: Mrs. Thorne, Miss Stocking, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. McAbee Special presentation for docent training "Readings, Recitations, and Song." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "A Tribute to Mothers" May 11, 2003 Players: Miss Stocking, Mrs. Thorne, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. McAbee Special Mother's Day presentation featured "Conversation and Poetry" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Time for Tea" Nov. 29, 2003 Players: Mrs. Thorne, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. McAbee "Poetry and Conversation with Four Victorian Era Women" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Pecho Ranch Day" July, 9, 2005 Butter churning, Quilting, Spinning, Ranger Dave Barry with Horse Stormy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Christmas on the Pecho" Dec. 10, 2005 Players: Mrs. Calloway, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Thorne, Mrs. McAbee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Ladies of the Pecho at Paso Robles" Jan. 21, 2006 - Players - Mrs. Thorne Thompson, Baxter, McAbee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - San Luis Obispo Hist. Soc. Apr. 11, 2006 Living History Players, Miss Stocking Mrs. Thorne, Mrs. McAbee - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Pecho Ranch Day" July 8, 2006 Quilting Squares, Spinning, Whittling Flint Knapping, Victorian Characters Guest appearance by Father Crespi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Taking the Show on the Road Rick Kirn makes an appearance as Father Crespi - March 3, 2006 - on an historical oriented walk, "Walk in the Shoes of Spanish Explorers." click on photo to enlarge  Father Crespi Blessing the Day Pecho Ranch Day 7/06 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Christmas on the Pecho" Dec. 9, 2006 The Pecho Players celebrate an old fashioned Christmas - Christmas Carols and Home Baked Refreshments. Players: Phoebe Adams, Debi Dismer, Earline Ferrell, Rosemary Thorne, Joyce Cory. "Christmas-on-the-Pecho" 2006 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Home Schoolers visit Living History Feb. 7, 2007 - Liv. Hist. Character Mrs. Thompson, shares with home school her experiences on the Pecho Ranch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Pecho Ranch Day" July, 7, 2007 Butter churning, Quilting, Spinning, Fiddler, Grandpa's Farm, Tool Making, Wood Carving |
|
|
 Phoebe Adam's character, Mrs. Georgia Thompson is based on an actual woman who was the Spooner family cook and housekeeper from 1898 - 1924. |
Biographies of Historical Characters Mrs. Baxter - Earline Ferrell Mrs. Calloway - Debi Dismer Mrs. McAbee - Joyce Cory Mrs. Thompson - Phoebe Adams Mrs. Thorne - Rosemary Thorne coming soon! |
|
|
