Sterling Mine Ditch Trail History Night Well Attended

The Sterling Mine Ditch Trail history night held at the Jacksonville Library on March 8th was so well attended that we had to turn people away! This was our first such event, and we expected a much smaller turn out–we just didn’t anticipate that twice as many people as the room could hold would show up! We truly regret having turned people away.

On the bright side, the speakers have all agreed to an encore presentation, held in a much larger facility! Even if you made it to last night’s meeting you’ll want to return–several of those in attendance told wonderful stories of their family’s history with the Sterling Mine, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail, and gold mining in the area–and offered to share period photographs and artifacts at a future meeting, further enriching our understanding and appreciation for this area. We will be working on collecting more historical information over the coming months with the hopes of being able to schedule an expanded history night this coming fall.

Please check our website periodically to learn more.

Sterling Mine Ditch History Night AGENDA

Sterling Mine Ditch History Night – Agenda

March 8th, 2012 – 6pm – Jacksonville Library

Participants/Presenters:  Lisa Rice, Chant Thomas, John and Cheryl Henderson, Chelsea Rose, SOU Laboratory of Anthropology

6-6:15 – attendees arrive and view artifacts, maps, photos, etc. displayed around the room

6:15-6:20 – Welcome and introductions – Hope Robertson

6:20-6:40 – Lisa Rice, BLM – presentation about SMD and mining history in the Applegate

6:45-7:10 – Chant Thomas – local history, SMD stories gathered from old-timers, slides of the SMD and area

7:15-8:00 – John and Cheryl Henderson – SMD, Sterlingville and Sterling Mine history information and stories, show video with historic mining operations

8:00-8:30 – Questions and open discussion among the speakers and attendees, request for any others with stories to share.  The speakers and Chelsea from SOU can gather in front of the room to answer questions.

We’ll ask to hold questions and discussion until after the speakers have finished

Times for speakers are approximate, but we should definitely plan to allow at least a half hour for open discussion and for any others to share their stories.

We’re planning to video the event to gather information for interpretive signs and brochures.