“Come Together,” urged the Beatles in 1969, and that is just what people are doing in the creation of our new Gallery of California History. History Researcher Adam Nilsen discusses his work with community members in the new gallery.

Twenty-four Californians are coming from all over the state to make their stories part of an exhibit called Forces of Change. This diverse group is creating displays of their memories that, when viewed together, will reflect the multitude of views and identities that formed in the period 1960-1975. Along with exhibit assistant Dorothea Crosbie-Taylor, I have had the pleasure of locating participants and helping bring their displays to fruition.

One participant, Dugan Aguilar, will be sharing his story of growing up as a Maidu in Susanville and spending 13 months in Vietnam. Upon his return, he was honored by his tribe as a brave. Two especially powerful objects in his display will be a beaded eagle feather award—the highest award a Native can receive—and a quilt his mother made out of his uniform.

Another participant, Evangeline Canonizado Buell (Vangie), is a Filipina folk singer who was involved in the Berkeley Co-op. She will be sharing memories of the stinging prejudice she experienced over her interracial marriage. Highlights of Vangie’s display will be the pineapple cloth dress she wore during performances, a record from a hootenanny she organized, and a portrait of her and her husband.

Forces of Change is one of several parts of the gallery that will include voices from the community such as these. This is a new and exciting direction in museums: rather than dictating a story from an unseen, all-knowing curator, we are sharing the story-telling with our community. It is one way in which we are stepping aside and—to put it in a 1960s way—giving “power to the people.”

Adam Nilsen
History Researcher

Adam Nilsen helps Evangeline Canonizado Buell arrange her display. Photo: Dorothea Crosbie-Taylor

Cathy Callahan prototypes a display, showing memories of her 1960s childhood in San Diego. Photo: Terry Carroll