During September of 1769, just 250 years ago, the Spanish “First Expedition” passed through San Luis Obispo County. The group consisted of 4 officers, 34 soldiers, 2 Franciscan friars, 7 muleskinners, 19 Indians from Baja California, and over 200 mules and horses. They encountered an ancient and magical culture whose ancestors had lived on this coastline for the prior 15,000 years. The two groups had no words in common, and almost no commonality of culture. Yet somehow, the two groups sat down together, told stories, watched dancing, had a banquet, exchanged presents, and parted as friends.
The next 80 years would see the beginning and end of the Mission era, the end of Spanish dominance in the New World, the beginning and end of Mexican California, and the decimation of California’s original inhabitants. But for one week in 1769, people of different cultures, different religions, different languages, were able to sit down and befriend each other.
The History Center of San Luis Obispo County presents the Inaugural Carnegie Lecture at the History Center Museum, 696 Monterey Street San Luis Obispo on Friday, September 6th at 7 pm. On September 6, Phil Tillman, local history buff and storyteller, will give a multimedia presentation about the people and the cultures that collided during that week. You’ll see some artwork, some clips from old movies, a bit of music, and you’ll hear some stories about the encounter. You’ll also get some advice about how to be a skeptic when reading history.
This represents the first in what is anticipated to be a quarterly series of lectures at the History Center Museum. Admission is free, and we will be hosting an early-access reception and pre-lecture for Carnegie Club members and Business Partners starting at 5:30.
The History Center of San Luis Obispo County is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting all of San Luis Obispo County’s history.
For more information about this topic, contact Thomas Kessler, Executive Director, at (805) 543-0638 or email [email protected]