Dear Friends, Supporters and Members and all of you who are about to become Members

Thank you for all the thoughtful comments on the May Grapevine; your feedback is always truly appreciated.

So, I promise this month’s letter won’t be a full-blown tearjerker again, but I do have to note that I am writing this on the 27th anniversary of the untimely passing of my father, Jerome Laval, at the age of 56. Since I can no longer get him the most ridiculous card possible, which he loved, I want to pay tribute to the author of the three As Pop Saw It books as well as Second Alarm which chronicled the centennial of the Fresno Fire Department. His adamance and vision in understanding that our past must be protected and shared, particularly in the days before digitization, was the modern impetus for much of the historical preservation that people around the Valley are undertaking. My dad had a very close relationship with his grandfather, Pop Laval, and both provided an unparalleled visual journey into our region. I know they would be grateful and amazed at the honor and appreciation you bestow on them and their irreplaceable work. And yes, like many of you, I really do miss my father all the time.

Transition…we often talk about the history of Mother’s Day, but have you ever seen a description of how Father’s Day began? According to an article published online recently at almanac.com, the history is all but forgotten…

“Father’s Day was not immediately accepted when it was proposed, and it did not become a national holiday in the U.S. until 1972 during President Richard Nixon’s administration. Why was it a hotly contested debate? With America’s history, you might think that a holiday recognizing men would be perfectly acceptable. After all, men dominated American society in the early 20th century. In addition, a ‘Father’s Day’ or day that recognizes the role of fathers in the family is an ancient tradition. In history books, there is mention of a Southern European tradition dating back to 1508.

“Certainly, in modern days, we do not give Father’s Day a second thought. It’s been almost 50 years since President Richard Nixon’s administration declared the third Sunday in June a day to recognize and honor the role of fathers in society (that occurred in 1972).

“Interestingly, Father’s Day was not immediately accepted when it was proposed. Why not?

“Mother’s Day came first (it was officially recognized in 1914), so men in the early 1900s associated such a tribute to women and found the idea too effeminate to their liking. To be fair, Mother’s Day was couched in terms of femininity. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson called Mother’s Day a way to recognize “that tender, gentle army—the mothers of America.”

“Men viewed the idea of Father’s Day as similar to Mother’s Day, which was popular with florists; for fathers it didn’t have the same sentimental appeal. As one historian writes, they ‘scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products—often paid for by the father himself.’

“Also, according to Lawrence R. Samuel, the author of American Fatherhood: A Cultural History, men had a different role in the family during the first half of that century. It was patriarchal, so they felt that a special day to exalt fatherhood was a rather silly idea, when it was mothers who were underappreciated.

“However, that sentiment changed over time for several reasons. The first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in U.S. history.

“Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated minister, proposed a service to honor all fathers, especially those who had died. However, the observance did not become an annual event, and it was not promoted; very few people outside of the local area knew about it. Meanwhile, across the entire country, another woman was inspired to honor fathers …

“In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was inspired by Anna Jarvis and the idea of Mother’s Day. Her father, William Jackson Smart, a farmer and Civil War veteran, was also a single parent who raised Sonora and her five brothers by himself, after his wife Ellen died giving birth to their youngest child in 1898. While attending a Mother’s Day church service in 1909, Sonora, then 27 years old, came up with the idea.

“Within a few months, Sonora had convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA to set aside a Sunday in June to celebrate fathers. She proposed June 5th, her father’s birthday, but the ministers chose the third Sunday in June so that they would have more time after Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May) to prepare their sermons.

Thus, on June 19, 1910, the first Father’s Day events commenced: Sonora delivered presents to handicapped fathers, boys from the YMCA decorated their lapels with fresh-cut roses (red for living fathers, white for the deceased), and the city’s ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood.

“The widely publicized events in Spokane struck a chord that reached all the way to Washington, D.C., and Sonora’s celebration put the idea on the path to becoming a national holiday. However, the holiday did not catch on right away, perhaps due to the perceived parallels with Mother’s Day.

-In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson and his family personally observed the day.

-Eight years later, President Calvin Coolidge signed a resolution in favor of Father’s Day 'to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.'

-In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order that the holiday be celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

-Under President Richard Nixon, in 1972, Congress passed an act officially making Father’s Day a national holiday. (Six years later, Sonora died at age 96.)

“Two economic events pushed Father’s Day forward:

-The Great Depression. With so many people pinching their pennies, the economy needed reasons for people to spend money. Father’s Day was promoted by struggling stores as an occasion to get fathers some of the clothing and material goods they needed. It was a way to invite people to get Dad the necktie or pair of socks that he probably would not buy for himself.

-World War II. Men were on the front lines. The desire to support American troops and the war effort provided another reason to support and show appreciation for dads."

If you are lucky enough to have someone you want to share Father’s Day with this June, even if it is a friend, your single mother who played both roles, or even yourself, get past the trappings and ties and sit down with that person to learn their story. Talk about what their life was like in their younger years – what jobs did they have, what dreams did they hold as children? So much more than a physical gift, time with others is something we cannot get back. Spend the day wisely and, for heaven’s sake, write it down or tape the conversation! And take some photos, too.

Until July, my best wishes to all,

Elizabeth Laval

President, Fresno County Historical Society

A BIG P.S. – FCHS is feeling a little guilty of being just a tad discriminatory since we have many High Teas and a Fashion Show coming up, so be on the lookout for a big announcement about our own Sip and Smoke event on the Veranda of the Mansion later this year…this was a huge hit at the Gala so we are planning a fun evening at OUR house!

FARM TO FASHION EVENT TICKETS NOW ON SALE

fashion noun - fash·ion | \ ?fa-sh?n \

: the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time

And this is according to Merriam-Webster. If one thinks about fashion, one tends to gravitate towards style. Though, if you ask someone their preference, it could be anyone really, they may say it’s their individual style, not necessarily what is in fashion, that they prefer. But is it? Does fashion get its influence from society - or rather, would you say fashion may even be the originator of influence, which eventually forms the styles by which people find themselves drawn to? There is much to support both ideologies - it really just depends on who you ask.

One thing we cannot argue is the fact that fashion has become entrenched in our lives, everywhere we look. Come join the Fresno County Historical Society, in partnership with Bebe O's Vintage Boutique and Talene Karkazian, in taking a walk on the wild side with some designers and stylists that will tell a very special Origin Story of the Fruit Vale Estate through design and fashion involving the concept of upcycling in fashion with an agricultural theme. You really don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to see cutting-edge designs and some fantastically distinctive styling options.

Just imagine a summer evening on the Veranda of Kearney Mansion, stunning designers and models, add in a DJ and you will be part of an instant party on Saturday, July 23rd. Make this a night to remember! Hor d'oeuvres and welcome cocktail included with ticket purchase. 

Tickets are $90; $15 early bird discount when purchased before July 9th, 2022.

TICKETS

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