A new group seeking to preserve and highlight Orcutt's history as a ranching and oil boom town will hold its first public meeting Saturday.

The Orcutt Historical Society recently formed as a nonprofit organization whose “primary objective is to preserve and document the history of the Orcutt area and eventually establish a historical museum,” said the group's president, Judy Capitani.

The area now known as Old Orcutt was established as a town during an oil boom in 1904, but its ranching history dates back to the mid-1800s, she said.

“The history of Orcutt is unique in many ways,” she added. “There are so many (pioneer) family stories and personal histories that need to be preserved. We want to document the cultural history as well as the economic and physical aspects. We're hearing that this is long overdue.”

Saturday's meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares St., with an informal discussion of the group's proposed activities. That will be followed by a social gathering where people can “renew old friendships and make new acquaintances,” Capitani said.

The group is hoping to have at least a temporary museum open somewhere by next summer, and is planning community events “to help us reach that goal,” she said.

In the meantime, the group is establishing an archive of historical documents, vintage photos and artifacts - and accepting donations of “any items of historical interest” pertaining to the Orcutt area.

Advertisement

Capitani can be contacted for further information at 934-5169.

Chuck Schultz can be reached at 925-2691, Ext. 2241, or cschultz@santamariatimes.com.

October 12, 2007