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The Conference of California
Historical Societies is unique
in that it seeks to blend
together the best independent
efforts of hundreds of
historical societies, museums,
libraries and history-minded
individuals throughout the
state.
It provides an avenue that
permits information and good
ideas to rise above barriers
that otherwise would impede
them.
Toward the end of his long life,
legendary educator Rockwell D.
Hunt, who was the driving force
behind the formation of the CCHS,
said that one of the rewards of
his career had been that “it has
afforded me large opportunity to
direct and inspire others – I
know not how many – toward
better living on higher levels.”
That principle can be
extrapolated and applied to
Hunt’s brainchild, the CCHS. By
providing a forum where people
and organizations with a common
interest in the preservation and
proclamation of California’s
history can come together and
exchange ideas, it can greatly
enrich, encourage and uphold the
work that each of its members
does.
Again, Hunt observed, “We must
be willing to learn from all
sources … if we but have
receptive minds.”
The CCHS offers an unparalleled
opportunity for us to receive
the best ideas from one another.
Many organizations and
individuals perform excellent,
even extraordinary, work. But
they perform it in isolation.
The value of their work could be
greatly amplified if their
fellow toilers in the vineyard
could become aware of it and
follow suit.
A cliché that has entered the
popular vernacular in recent
decades sums it up perfectly,
“There is no need to keep
re-inventing the wheel.”
The resources of human energy
and talent, and of treasure, are
limited. It is foolish to expend
them trying to figure out
something that our neighbor
already knows.
The CCHS offers a first-rate –
and pleasurable -- trading
center for the exchange of ideas
and for mutual support. It is a
favorable forum that no other
“umbrella“ federation matches.
That is why we must all strive
to sustain it and to proclaim
it.
Like any human institution, the
CCHS always benefits by adding
fresh members to its roster to
serve as an invigorating and
renewing force.
So we don’t want to keep the
CCHS a secret. We should use
every opportunity to trumpet its
self-evident value. That kind of
enthusiasm and eagerness is
essential if we are to provide
the CCHS with the endurance that
it needs and that it deserves.
When his 90th birthday became a
prospect that loomed within
reach upon the horizon, Rockwell
Hunt was nevertheless able to
declare, “Of this I am resolved:
that while it is yet day I shall
not dwell always in the receding
past, but shall continue to
rejoice in the spirit of youth,
inviting perennial springtime to
find its dwelling place in my
soul.”
Let us make that fortifying
thought our keynote. Our
organization is peerless. Let us
stride forth in confidence to
help it to continue to fulfill
its promise.
Richard S. Kimball,
CCHS President
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