By Lisa Robinson
Perhaps the last bears at “Big Trees” [now Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park]. In 1919, film star Nell Shipman and a party of actors visited the Big Trees on their way to Seattle. She had recently starred in “God’s Country and the Woman” and “Back to God’s Country” both of which were a huge success. The Sentinel reported that “the party was travelling in two [railway] cars and two bear cubs accompany them.” Not just an actress, Nell Shipman was also a director, screenwriter, producer, and animal advocate. She spoke out against animal cruelty and rescued animals from abuse. Many of these appeared in her movies. She eventually owned a zoo that contained over 200 animals. Nell is pictured here with one of her bears. Eventually the animals were donated to San Diego Zoo. Image courtesy of visitnorthidaho. com San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society (SLVHS) Appoints Nicole Berridge Director of Museum Operations. The San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society which owns and operates the San Lorenzo Valley Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Berridge as its Director of Museum Operations. Berridge officially assumed the role on April 1, 2019. “The Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Nicole to the San Lorenzo Valley Museum,” said Lisa Robinson, SLVHS Board President. “With a strong practical background in project management and administrative oversight, experience in fundraising and event planning, and many years in leadership roles in the non-profit sector, Nicole is a perfect fit to manage the day to day operations of the Museum and to manage the process of opening a second museum gallery in the Faye Belardi Memorial building in Felton.” Nicole has lived in the Valley since 1999. She holds a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from San Jose State University. Her many non-profit volunteer roles include being an active member of the Boulder Creek Elementary (BCE) Parent’s Club for eight years, where she served as president for three years. She was the coordinator of the Annual Boulder Creek Elementary Family Science Night for six years and the co-coordinator of the BCE Family Dinner Nights. She has been a member of the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks Committee, the advisory body to the district, a cub scout Den Leader and a member of the board of directors of the Bracken Brae Country Club Board, where she served two terms as president. About the San Lorenzo Valley Museum. The San Lorenzo Valley Museum is owned and operated by the San Lorenzo Valley Historical Society which was founded in March 1976. Its mission is to preserve and share the history of the San Lorenzo Valley. The Museum is located in Boulder Creek, CA in the former Grace Episcopal Church building; an old growth redwood building built in 1906 and which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Media Contact for this Announcement: Lisa Robinson, President, 831.338.8382, lisaar@yahoo.com