Pajaro Valley Historical Association
Encyclopedia
Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) is a historical association founded in 1940 dedicated to preserving the history and notable artifacts of the Pajaro Valley in Central California. It is housed in the Godfrey M. Bockius House
and manages the Volck Museum and Alzora Snyder Archive.
by the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West encouraged by the Watsonville Woman's Club. The PVHA incorporated in 1956. In 1964, Helen Haynes Volck Tucker donated her home to the group to be used as a museum, which was dedicated on July 4, 1965. The Godfrey M. Bockius House
was donated in 1993 by Zoe Ann Orr Marcus to the association, and it moved into that location in 1997.
Over the years, the PVHA has played a role in promoting as well as preserving the history of the region. In 1955 the Pajaro Valley Historical Association erected a monument on Charley Parkhurst
's grave site.
The archive houses special collections including some original source material for the following historians and persons of note:
Godfrey M. Bockius House
The Godfrey M. Bockius House is an Italianate—Victorian style house in a historic district...
and manages the Volck Museum and Alzora Snyder Archive.
History
The PVHA was founded in 1940by the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West encouraged by the Watsonville Woman's Club. The PVHA incorporated in 1956. In 1964, Helen Haynes Volck Tucker donated her home to the group to be used as a museum, which was dedicated on July 4, 1965. The Godfrey M. Bockius House
Godfrey M. Bockius House
The Godfrey M. Bockius House is an Italianate—Victorian style house in a historic district...
was donated in 1993 by Zoe Ann Orr Marcus to the association, and it moved into that location in 1997.
Over the years, the PVHA has played a role in promoting as well as preserving the history of the region. In 1955 the Pajaro Valley Historical Association erected a monument on Charley Parkhurst
Charley Parkhurst
Charley Darkey Parkhurst, often Charlie/Charlene/Charlotte or Parkurst, born Mary Parkhurst , was an American stagecoach driver and early California settler...
's grave site.
Current assets
In addition to managing the Bockius-Orr house, the PVHA oversees the Volck Museum and the Alzora Snyder Archive, housing over 75,000 photos, maps and historical artifacts relevant to the region.The archive houses special collections including some original source material for the following historians and persons of note:
- Historian Betty Bagby LewisBetty Bagby LewisBetty Lewis grew up in Santa Cruz, California and attended school there for 12 years then going to Salinas Jr. College. She started writing historical articles for the Watsonville Register Pajaronian in 1974. Her weekly column titled "That Was Watsonville" appeared every Thursday evening in that...
- Charley ParkhurstCharley ParkhurstCharley Darkey Parkhurst, often Charlie/Charlene/Charlotte or Parkurst, born Mary Parkhurst , was an American stagecoach driver and early California settler...
- Architect W. H. WeeksW. H. WeeksWilliam Henry Weeks was an early 20th century architect who designed hundreds of buildings including many schools, banks, and libraries. He was well-known for his monumental Greek Revival neoclassical style of architecture, although he also employed other architectural styles. His offices were...