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The Society was formed in 1951 to record and illustrate
the history
of Duarte and nearby areas as a California rancho, a settlement, and
most
recently as a city. It is entirely an unpaid, privately-funded, non-profit organization supported by membership dues, a small endowment, and
contributions.
The Society is governed by an executive board of volunteers.
Activities of the Society include operation of the Duarte
Historical Museum, craft and art fairs, educational interaction with
local schools and the library, and bird walks in the adjacent course of
the San Gabriel River. The Society publishes a newsletter, the
Branding Iron, participates in the work of the Foothill
Curators and publishes their brochure "Locations and Operating Hours of the Historical Museums of the San Gabriel Valley".
Bimonthly programs open to the public are held in the Museum.
The Duarte
Historical Museum
The main activity of the Society is the Duarte Historical
Museum,
located
at 777 Encanto Parkway, Duarte, California. The museum is staffed
by docents who open for the public on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 1 to 3 pm, and from 1 to 4 pm on Saturdays. The Museum is also open by appointment for
groups
and individuals. It is closed Saturdays on holiday weekends.
Duarte History
The City is named for Andres Duarte, a Mexican
soldier who obtained a land grant in the waning days of Mexican ownership of Alta California. Duarte ranched his grant well into the period of
statehood for California but lost it in the 1860's. Duarte is now a
residential community with a business sector, and is a City established
in 1957. For more on Andres Duarte and his activities, see our separate
page on Duarte History.
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Andres
Duarte's Brand, registered
in 1843. It is used in the City’s seal and flag, and is reproduced on
the hills overlooking the City
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The Statue
Project: Duarte in Bronze
Our major recent project has been to erect a large bronze equestrian statue, with Andres Duarte riding. The sculpture is installed in a new plaza---"Plaza Duarte"---located just north of City Hall. This is the largest public-art project in the San Gabriel Valley, and we expect the statue to become an icon for the City of Duarte. The dedication ceremony for the statue took place on March 31, 2007 with many descendents of Andres Duarte attending.
Here are further links to information about this project:
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