Brea Museum and Heritage Center

• “Brea, Then and Now” pictorial history book everyone’s raving about

  274 days ago by bbonadmin

  Tim Harvey has written a pictorial history book of Brea for the Brea Historical Society called “Brea, Then and Now.”

      “This new history book of Brea is a delight to behold whether you are a new resident or a longtimer. It should be made available to all Brea School libraries so our childen can appreciate the story of their town as an example of what made this country great.” said Rex Gaede.

  Historian Brian Saul said “ It's so well-written, the photos are excellent, and it allows people to learn about Brea's history in a fun and interesting way.

       Historical Society board member Scott Neal said he can’t put the book down.

  

  Scott Neal, board member of the Brea Historical Society and his two children Angelina and

   You can buy the book weekdays from Laura Holcom at Community Development on the second floor of the Brea Civic & Cultural Center. It is also available at the Brea Museum on Saturdays from 10:00-3:00 p.m. The cost is $30.

  Susan Gaede

• Brea Museum and Heritage Center’s “Home-Making in Brea” exhibit – through September 15

  324 days ago by bbonadmin

  "Home-Making in Brea, Past and Present" explores how Brea residents made homes in the city in the 1910s (when the city was founded) and today, in the 2010s. The exhibit show-cases Brea's Bungalows and Craftsman-style homes and the crafting traditions of Brea residents. On exhibit now through September 15 during the museum's open hours and by appointment.

• Celebrating 11 years of History Days in Brea

  383 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  For the past 11 years third grade students from Brea’s elementary schools celebrate History Days in Brea.  On May 23 and 24, BOUSD students will take a two-day field trip around town to learn about Brea’s history.

  With every significant project implemented, there is a story.  Over a decade ago, Mayor Don Schweitzer's eldest daughter, now in the second year of college, came home from her third grade class and told her dad that her teacher said they were going to learn about Brea’s history.  Don figured the teacher was going to take her students to our little history museum/store located where Guitar Center is now situated. So he contacted his daughter’s teacher and was surprised, when the teacher said she did not know Brea had a museum.  At that point, Don offered to take the children to the museum, the teacher agreed, word traveled, and all the third grade classes wanted to participate.  And so History Days in Brea began!

  Today it is a well organized event.  The two day event will consist of three busses per day taking students on a history tour to locations such as Craig Park and Brea Canyon.  They will also stop for 45 minutes at the Brea Museum, Brea Civic Center, and Olinda Oil Museum and Trail. Brea Olinda High School ASB students and museum staff will meet the children dressed up in historical garb wearing costumes such as oil workers, baseball players, school teachers and aviation workers. The kids enjoy the added effect of role playing while learning the story of Brea’s rich history. Over at the Civic Center, a mock council meeting is held to give the children an understanding of what goes on in a city council meeting.  Right down to needles and thread, everyone does a great job to add to History Days in Brea, as ASB students make the costumes needed for the occasion.

  One teacher’s idea, one person’s action and 11 years later, a wonderfully fun history lesson is given to area students!

   

   

• Brea Museum and Heritage Center presents photo preservation seminar

  389 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  The Brea Museum and Heritage Center had such a great response with their first “Preserving Your Photographs” seminar that they are offering another Saturday seminar.  This Saturday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m – noon, bring your cherished photos, and Veta Schlimgen, Museum Director, will give you a detailed hands-on-experience in learning the techniques to preserve your photos.  Further details are listed on the flyer.

     

• Old Brea: Jackson Bros. Cabinet Shop, Inc. location solved

  403 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  According to the city directories in 1961 and 1974, the aerial map shows where Jackson Bros. Cabinet Shop was located.

  We welcome questions!  Recently the following question was posed by Cindy Sullivan. In order to relay the right information accurately, we contacted Scott Neal, Board Member of the Brea Museum and Heritage Center, to answer her question.

  Cindy: Does anyone remember a business, I believe on Imperial Hwy., called Jackson Bros. Cabinets? This would have been in the 1960's or so.

  My uncle worked there and I can remember going out there on a few Saturdays. Seems like we drove way out Imperial to the boonies at that time, then my aunt just told me not long ago that it was on Imperial near Puente or Berry, she can't remember for sure. We now live very close to that area, so things have really gotten built up since that time! I was just curious.

  Scott: Hi Cindy, Jackson Bros Cabinet Shop Inc. was located at 1355 W. Imperial Highway in Brea between Palm and Puente (behind Famous Burgers). Floyd Jackson appears to have been an owner. Earl Putnam was listed as working for their company and was a member of the Brea Chamber of  Commerce. I found the company listed in city directories in both 1961 and 1974.

  According to a former employee's obituary, the company manufactured cabinets for every house in the largest subdivision in the world at that time. During that time there were 19,000 homes in the subdivision. The Secretary of State only shows one California Corporation with the name Jackson Bros., which was suspended in 1975. There is a Floyd Jackson in Brea today related to F & E Jackson Co. that has a location in Brea. Active officers include Edward L Jackson and Floyd R Jackson.

   

   

   

   

   

• Local Eagle Scout’s project makes a historical impact

  427 days ago by bbonadmin

  The Brea Bowl commencement held this morning went well; it was a great event, according to Scott Neal, Board Member of the Brea Museum and Heritage Center.  Mayor Don Schweitzer was on hand to congratulate local Boy Scout, Matt Breneman, who did an excellent job in creating the Brea Bowl plaque as an Eagle Scout project to commensurate the famous baseball game played on October 21, 1924, featuring Brea’s famous baseball player Walter Johnson facing Babe Ruth at the Brea Bowl! Scott, a former Eagle Scout from Brea, showed his “Scout Spirit” by dressing in his Boy Scout uniform.  Scott’s daughters, Samantha and Angelina, were in the moment, too!

   

   

• The Schweitzer Family: A Long Legacy of Serving Brea, Pt. 2

  428 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  "The Schweitzers, clockwise L to R; Frank, Jr, Charles, Don, Ruth, and Jim"

   

  Previously, BBON was pleased to provide a history of one of Brea's pioneer  families, the Schweitzer's, Part 1. We now proudly present, the second  installment...

  Most Breans are familiar with the name "Schweitzer", not  just for scientifically relevant reasons (Albert Schweitzer), but for a more  contemporary reason, Brea Mayor and Councilman Don Schweitzer. Those who  attend city events or view the council meeting broadcasts are familiar with  Don's easy smile and affable demeanor. But like his father and grandfather,  before running for and winning a council seat, Don was involved in the community, volunteering at the Brea Historical Society and serving on their board, as well as donating time and fundraising for the Lions Club, where he  was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship.

  A third-generation  Brean, Don attended schools, played in, and grew up with Brea, much like his  father, Frank Jr. After graduating from BOHS (at the old Birch Street  location), Don attended San Diego State College, served in the Army National  Guard, traveled  extensively, and eventually ended up in Bozeman, MT, where he  attended Montana State University, studying architecture.

   

  While  attending school in Bozeman, Don saw an opportunity and, with a friend, opened  one of the first submarine sandwich shops  in the city, across from the  university dormitories. The sandwich shop was converted from an old barbershop, and to  memorialize his entrepreneurial venture, Don kept one  of the old barber chairs that is still in his home today.

  Eventually,  the sandwich shop was sold and, after forty years, is still a popular gathering  place for students and teachers at the University.

  After graduation,  on a trip back to California, Don got the idea for a coffee, tea and spice shop.  Taking the idea back to Bozeman, he opened one of the first shops of its type  in Montana, even purchasing coffees from a little coffee importer in Seattle,  WA called Starbucks...long before Starbucks ever opened their own retail coffee  shops!

   

  

  "Don and Janis at a Lions Club Event"

  Eventually selling the coffee shop, Don decided to return to  Southern California and the Orange County area, where he started working with  an architectural firm. He landed the job to design the Scout Center in Brea, so  he, along with his new wife Janis, began looking for a home in his hometown.  By turn of a happy coincidence, a friend told him about a home for sale that  happened to be located right next door to the home his father, Frank Jr., had  built back in the late fifties. The house, at one time, had been the home of  his best friend, who had been the best man at his wedding.

   

  After settling  into his new home, another old friend and long-time Brean, Al Tremaine,  suggested Don get involved in the Brea Historical Society. It was while  volunteering with the Historical Society that Don learned of  preliminary plans to turn the old American Legion Building, at City Hall  Park, into the new Boy's and Girls Club. Don saw an even better use for the  building and became the driving force, organizing support for his proposal, to  turn the building into the Brea Museum and Heritage Center. After presenting  his proposal to the City Council to a favorable vote, the Historical Society  Board of Directors named Don to the voluntary position of Museum Director, where  he oversaw the building's renovation process before it could assume its new  role.

   

  Don says he never intended to run for city council, but that his  experience with the museum convinced him that he wanted to accomplish more to  secure the future of Brea and Breans. Among the accomplishments he is most proud  of since serving on the council is retaining the Brea Firefighters contract  with Brea; the Sports Wall of Fame at the Brea Sports Park on Birch Street,  honoring notable Breans who have achieved national recognition in various sports; and the Brea War Memorial, honoring Breans who have given their lives  to preserve our freedoms since WWI, currently in process with artist Susan  Narduli.

   

  Each year, Brea's Mayor chooses a signature theme to mark their  current tenure. This year, Mayor Schweitzer's theme is "Make a Difference,  Green Brea", to educate and promote awareness on ways to save energy and help  reduce carbon emissions.

   

  Don is very excited about the results of the  recently completed Civic Center Solar Project, that has already seen  a savings of 50,000 kilowatt hours, which is an approximate savings of $1  million, or enough energy to provide electricity for 40 homes.

   

  Along  with the theme, the website www.Brea2012.com was created for Breans as a resource for tips on what we can do as individuals and a community to reduce our energy consumption. Be sure and visit the website and watch for various educational events that will be presented throughout the  year.  Story courtesy of Kathy Cannon.

  

  "Don and Janis Schweitzer, with their daughters"

• Brea Museum to offer photo preservation class

  441 days ago by bbonadmin

  

  Brea Fire Department, c. 1924

  Brea Museum and Heritage Center will offer a photo preservation class March 24 from 10am-12pm. Veta Schlimgen, Director of the museum, will teach the class and show how to identify and store old photographs with a variety of techniques. Cost is $20 and participants of the class are asked to bring 5 photographs with them. For more information, email the museum at breamuseum@gmail.com.

• Brea Historical Society’s Casino Night Fundraiser

  447 days ago by bbonadmin

   

  

  Casino Night Dinner and Silent Auction

  No need to travel far to experience Casino night out! When just around the corner, you could make a date to go to the Brea Historical Society’s Casino Night Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, March 10.  Their 13^th annual fundraiser will feature a host of fun, from a gourmet dinner, casino games, the Swing Cats Big Band, a silent auction, raffle and door prizes to one of San Diego’s best magicians – Kevin Viner!