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Greetings Alviso Adobe friends,
Your monthly dose of nature and history is here for you! Although our indoor facilities remain closed, our outdoor open space known for its breathtaking views, luscious vegetation, and historical markers are awaiting your discovery.
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S T A Y C O N N E C T E D
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Take a Bite out of History
by Naturalist, Martha Cerda
Chilly and nostalgic. That’s been the theme of our November days around the Alviso Adobe Community Park. Stories and beauty continue to flourish in all nooks of the park. Some visible to the naked eye while others await our discovery. The walls of the buildings continue to store memories from visitors. But what exactly is stored behind those walls? If you peek through the charming pastel green window frames of the historic adobe you get a unique opportunity to connect with the past. On the north end, you can see a staged kitchen and dining room. Both rooms always make me think of… FOOD! But food is just the beginning. Historical places like these have a special magic to them. Food has the power to evoke smells, stories, and emotions. For me, it brings back nostalgia and provides a vivid and delicious way to stay connected with my family’s past and present. The dynamic history of food practices and influence of cuisines on people’s lives are depicted through artifacts and archives.
Food has a way of bringing people and cultures together. Anytime families gather to prepare or eat a meal, history is made. The kitchen is the focal part of the home, a place where ideas, discussions, and ingredients all blend into a melting pot. Across time, the residents of the Alviso Adobe property have redefined the multifaceted cooking space. The Ohlone native peoples gathered berries, acorns, and seeds and hunted a wide range of game animals. Californio people relied on beef, grains, orchards, and raising crops with the cooking done outside, over open fire and earthen ovens. In the 1900's when the site was a thriving dairy, renovation efforts were done on the north end portion of the adobe house. The junction was transformed into a functional kitchen where employees gathered for good conversations and good food.
Food, cooking, and recipes highlight important aspects of culture. Historically, the once wide-open valley and large lagoon provided abundant nourishment to the first peoples of the East Bay, Chochenyo speaking Ohlone people. It wasn’t too long ago when seasonal rhythms shaped the way we cooked and ate. Preserving food was once essential for survival. We’ve all heard the expression, “We are what we eat,” and no we do not morph into actual food items. However, the food that we eat reflects our culture, provides an insight to the ever-changing ways our landscapes have transformed, and how we interact with them.
Jotting down recipes or reading historic recipes that have been passed down through generations is a delicious way to learn how people have cooked in the past. Food itself is communication. The conversations and memories we experience are part of our story. And these stories are worth sharing and celebrating. If you are looking for a way to connect with history remember that the windows across the park are waiting for you to explore the many stories it embraces.
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As a way to encourage you to get in your kitchen and whip out a family recipe, start a conversation about food that is dear to your stomach, or evoke a food memory, park staff has compiled their favorite family recipes to share. We hope you enjoy!
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- STAY IN TUNE WITH LIVING HISTORY -
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Learn more about indigenous California food and Mak-'amham (mahk-am-haam)/Café Ohlone work to revive traditional Ohlone foods by visiting their website and these videos.
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Embark on a digital tour to appreciate, celebrate, and preserve Pleasanton's heritage. Check out the Alviso Adobe Community Park's unique stories, videos, and historical pictures. Click here to begin your journey.
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Pigeon Post Highlight of the Month
Fitting for our food theme this month, our pigeon post question of the month is about FOOD too. Let's remember that we are one part of the web of life. Organisms across kingdoms also need to eat! Our pigeon post of the month was sent by Pleasantonian A. Frend. Check out their question and our response!
And a big thank you to A. Frend for staying curious and connected with the Alviso Adobe.
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We want to hear from you! What's got you wondering? Send a postcard with your questions about local natural history - anything from wildlife to historic objects. One to two questions and responses will be posted here.
Follow these 3 easy steps:
1. Write a message!
2. Personalize your postcard.
3. Include your address to
receive a response.
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Send your postcard to:
Pigeon Post - Alviso Adobe
200 Old Bernal Avenue
Pleasanton, CA. 94566
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Catch our newest outdoor adventure! Explore history and the natural world as you discover 7 unique gems throughout the park.
Download the Adventure Lab App to get started!
The adventure can be completed under an hour, with some extra time to explore outside. A low to moderate amount of walking is required to complete the course.
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Visit the Virtual Library & Recreation Center for other Adobe resources and more. Here you'll find a great selection of free applications, online services and quality content that you can access from home.
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Alviso Adobe Community Park
3465 Old Foothill Road
Pleasanton, CA 94588
925-931-3479
Closure of Non-Essential Facilities and City Government Meetings
Alameda County Public Health Department's current Health Order—issued on May 18, 2020—does not provide a sunset date for sheltering in place as previous Orders provided. Non-essential City services and facilities will be closed until further notice. For more information, and for live updates impacting our community, visit the City of Pleasanton COVID-19 Update Page.
Essential services that will remain available include Paratransit service to medical appointments and grocery stores only; Open Heart Kitchen's senior lunch program brown bag pick-up only; and Spectrum Community Services' Meals on Wheels.
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Contact our Staff:
alvisoadobe@cityofpleasantonca.gov
Martha Cerda
Library and Recreation Coordinator/Naturalist
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