BURSON, CA – February 24, 2011 – A Calaveras nonprofit group is bringing the past into the social media present with the county’s first online contest focused on local history awareness. The Historic Dozen Contest sponsored by the Society for the Preservation of West Calaveras History (SPWCH) will be open to both schoolchildren and adults with access to www.valleyspringsca.us or spwch.thesitemechanics.com, with links on the Valley Springs and West Calaveras History Facebook pages also connecting to those sites.
“We’re making history with this completely online contest,” said Phil Weaver, SPWCH board member and pioneer of Calaveras social media through his company The Site Mechanics. “Children will have an incentive to get interested in local history, businesses donating prizes will see more Website traffic and the SPWCH will gain subscribers to its soon-to-debut free online newsletter.” He also noted that the Calaveras Unified School District has agreed to spread the word to students about the contest.
SPWCH President Sal Manna compiled the list of the area’s most significant pre-1900 structures or ruins (see below). This marks the first time sites in West Calaveras have been officially designated by a local history group. Adults who enter the Historic Dozen Contest must arrange the 12 in order of importance; the winner coming closest to the order announced April 1 by the SPWCH. Children must choose one of the Historic Dozen and describe its importance in 100 words or less; the winner determined by popular vote online. Contest submissions open February 28 and end March 31, with voting for the children’s contest beginning April 1 and closing April 15. Complete rules are at www.valleyspringsca.us.
Among the prizes to be awarded are iPods, private wine tasting at Newsome-Harlow and Twisted Oak, golf at La Contenta, dinner at Mineral Restaurant, self-defense programs at Sheng Chi, a year-long online fitness program from Break Pal, education therapy at the Harp Learning Institute and gifts of art photography from Calaveras Photography.
THE HISTORIC DOZEN (alphabetical order):
1) Adams & Co. Ruins (Campo Seco)
2) Calaveras Lunch Ranch House (Valley Springs)
3) Casa Blanca (Paloma)
4) Catts Camp Ruins (Wallace)
5) Cutler-Dennis House (Jenny Lind)
6) DeMartini House (Valley Springs)
7) Gwin Mine Ruins (Paloma)
8) Late House (Valley Springs)
9) Masonic Hall (Milton)
10) Valley Springs Train Depot (Valley Springs)
11) Wheat House (Double Springs)
12) Wildermuth House (Campo Seco)