Celebrate Black History Month with the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

Speaker Bubba Paris, former San Fransisco 49er, a jazz concert with The Dorian Mode, exhibits and more.|

History, recognition and unity were the words used again and again to describe the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum’s celebration of Black History Month.

This February, the museum will host events throughout the month which honor the history of African-American culture in Petaluma and beyond, recognize its impact on American society, and unite all cultures in celebrating the accomplishments of the African-American community.

The theme of this year’s celebration is, “Black athletes: their challenges, triumphs and impact on American culture.” It is a subject Faith Ross, curator of the events, said includes aspects which are often not explored.

“We are exploring what their lives were like and what they went through to get where they are today,” said Ross, who has served as past president of the Petaluma Museum Association.

Ross has invited former San Francisco 49er and three-time Super Bowl champion, Bubba Paris to share his story, his challenges and his message on Feb. 24 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., at 7:30 p.m.

From within the community, Ross got a small group of high-schoolers in Petaluma to help her out with this year’s exhibit, on display at the beginning of February. The walls of the museum will be adorned with pictures and stories of athletes, past, present and future, who have shaped the athletic community and beyond.

Ninth-grader, Lauren Vilmur, chose Serena Williams and Magic Johnson to write about for her essay, which will grace the walls.

“I’ve never learned about them in school, I didn’t know about them,” the Petaluma high-schooler said. “We got to learn about their lives before sports and the difficult times they faced and who they are.”

When asked what she took away from the project, Lauren replied, “The whole movement of Black Lives Matter maybe doesn’t get as much notice as it should. It’s important for everyone to get an equal amount of getting noticed.”

Lauren said she recognizes that racism still exists today, and that regardless of the words and actions of others, all people should be proud of their history, their story and who they are.

For another Petaluman, Dorian Bartley, who will perform with her jazz band The Dorian Mode, on Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the museum, Black History Month is a time to spread freedom. Bartley talked about what jazz music means to her, explaining that jazz music was one of the first disciplines to integrate both black and white professionals.

“Jazz is a story of the struggle of African-Americans,” she said passionately. “The freedom it expresses is truly inspiring.”

This is the passionate singer’s fifth year performing at the museum, and she expressed her excitement once again to sing at the museum, a place she described as, “a reverberant space where the music rings out in a true acoustic fashion.”

On the night of the performance, audience members will hear the music of Etta James, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. An audience of blended ethnic traditions who are loving and enthusiastic as Dorian said.

This is the 39th year the museum has recognized Black History Month, and for Ross, it is a time of togetherness.

“It’s not just about race,” she said. “It’s really important for our community to come together, not black and white, but come together as we are one body living in a community.”

For more information about the events for Black History Month, call the Petaluma Historical Museum & Library at 778-4398, or stop by at 20 Fourth St.

(Contact Alex Madison at alex.madison@arguscourier.com.)

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