Name/Title
PhotographEntry/Object ID
2017.030.0587Description
This is photograph of the part of the Centennial Commemoration of the death of Concepcion Arguello at St. Catherine's. The back inscription says that Joe Annuzzio's boat is in the window, that Martha set up the scenery and dressed the dolls, the caption cards were written by Elvira Appe; the three girls are left to right: Roberta Marchioni, Barbara Cody, and Lois Ann Sheetz.
According to an article in the April 24, 1958 edition of the Benicia Herald, the historical event in Benicia was co-sponsored by the Benicia Parlor 83, Native Sons of the Golden West and Benicia Parlor 287, Native Daughters of the Golden West. John J. O'Grady was the chairman. He said that the Saturday, May 24th, commemoration would have four separate phases, as follows:
"1. Church service in Old St. Dominic's Catholic Church at 11 a.m.
2. Following Mass, a pilgrimage to St. Dominic's Cemetery in Benicia where a wreath will be placed on the grave of Concepcion Arguello.
3. Luncheon at the Veterans' Memorial hall at 1 p.m.
4. An exhibit at St. Catherine's Academy under the supervision of Sister Eleanor in the afternoon.
Information regarding the photograph appeared in the May 29, 1958 edition of the Benicia Herald: "The historical exhibit in the main convent building held the interest of visitors.... A large table display consisted of the five important events of her life, portrayed by dolls all dressed in the costumes of the periods they represented. The background was a handpainted mural of the Mission Dolores, the De la Guerra House in Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina Convent in Monterey, Saint Catherine's Convent*, Benicia and the gates at Saint Dominic's Cemetery. Completing the display was a sail boat sitting amidst painted blue rolling waves. This was used to depict the arrival of the Dominican Sisters in Benicia in 1854 on the schooner, Eda. Through the efforts of Miss Martha Miller, Mrs. Dolores Annuzzio, Joseph F. Annuzzio and Mrs. LeNoir Miller, the exhibit was made possible."
*According to Mrs. Miller, Sister Dominica (Concepcion) Arguello never saw Saint Catherine's Convent as the convent at that time was not the original buiding.Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection
