California Humanities has recently announced the September 2022 Humanities For All Project Grant awards. The Nevada County Historical Society’s Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum has been awarded $5,000 for its project entitled “Who is Sarah Kidder?”.

Humanities For All Project Grant is a competitive grant program of California Humanities which supports locally-developed projects that respond to the needs, interests, and concerns of Californians, provide accessible learning experiences for the public, and promote understanding among our state’s diverse population. 

This historically focused project, “Who Is Sarah Kidder?” organized by Pamela Biery at the Nevada County Historical Society, Nevada City, seeks to foster meaningful reflections on community histories that have shaped this state. “Who is Sarah Kidder?” will consist of a series of 16 programmatic events and three participatory activities as part of a major exhibition at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum running from March through June 2023, in celebration of National Women’s History Month. “Who is Sarah Kidder?” is an interdisciplinary exhibition that features historical artifacts, the ability to ride a historic narrow gauge railbus, and an educational video produced by the Nevada Union High School broadcast department. 

“We have dedicated a great deal of time to establishing a Sarah Kidder Wing in the Museum and see this as a fitting project to expand the importance of both Kidder’s role and railroads in building the West,” notes John Christensen, Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum Director. This project seeks to engage youth in history and in general elevate the understanding and appreciation of women’s contribution to California.

“Who Is Sarah Kidder?” invites both museum visitors and participants to learn more about California’s history. In addition to Nevada Union High School Broadcast Instructor Jason Searles, local actor Mary Baird and Nevada County Media’s Ramona Howard are acting as advisors while Sierra College Women’s History Instructor, Megan White will offer an informative talk. 

Pamela Biery notes, “We are honored and grateful to be among the distinguished awardees throughout California. We are very appreciative of research support from Nevada County Historical Society, Searls Historical Library, and the Doris Foley Library.” 

“These projects will bring the complexity and diversity of California to light in new ways that will engage Californians from every part of our state, and will help us all understand each other better,” said Julie Fry, President & CEO of California Humanities. “We congratulate these grantees whose projects will promote understanding and provide insight into a wide range of topics, issues, and experiences.”

California Humanities promotes the humanities – focused on ideas, conversation and learning – as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more visit www.calhum.org, or follow California Humanities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

See other Fall California Humanities Quick Grant Awardees here: https://calhum.org/98300-awarded-to-humanities-projects-reaching-new-and-underserved-audiences/