Sir Francis Drake Association

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Metal box containing records of the Sir Francis Drake Association, Marin County, California. Sir Francis Drake Association box.jpg
Metal box containing records of the Sir Francis Drake Association, Marin County, California.

The Sir Francis Drake Association was a group of San Francisco Bay Area residents and others who promoted the historical Francis Drake's landing at New Albion in Marin County, California in 1579. The Association held a number of gatherings, picnics and pageants between 1912 and 1957. [1] [2] [3]

History

At its early gathering in 1916, about 30 people attended and a large post with a plaque dedicated to Drake's visit was put up. [4]

In early gatherings, participants took the train or stage to Point Reyes Station and locals provided conveyances to the site. [5]

By 1926, participants were arriving by auto with instructions on opening the various gates provided. Part of the route was described as a "ranch road, but much better than highway detours." [6]

The early gatherings were near the site of the Point Reyes Lifeboat Station.

In 1930, the Association had plans for a large redwood-tree church to be built to honor Drake's landing and the first church service. [7]

In 1946, the Association had a stone cross erected at Drake's Beach to honor the first use of the English language in the New World and the first services of the Church of England in what has become the United States [8]

This Celtic cross was installed by the Sir Francis Drake Association to honor Drake's visit and the first service of the Church of England in the future USA. The Sir Francis Drake monument at Drake's Beach, California 1946.jpg
This Celtic cross was installed by the Sir Francis Drake Association to honor Drake's visit and the first service of the Church of England in the future USA.

[9]

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Edward Paul Von der Porten was an American scholar noted for his work in history, archaeology, and museum practices. His areas of expertise included Sir Francis Drake, Drake's New Albion claim, Chinese porcelain, the Kriegsmarine , and Manila galleon history, and he was also the director of the Treasure Island Museum.

References

  1. "Sir Francis Drake Association records, 1914-1949".
  2. "Drake Association Plans Pilgrimage". Mill Valley Record. 17 October 1957. p. 11. Retrieved 7 July 2002.
  3. An early application form reads, "The Sir Francis Drake Association was organized in 1912 to arose interest in one of the most romantic episodes of California history, the landing of the great Explorer on the shore of Marin County in 1579. It has lately completed the Sir Francis Drake Park at Drake's (sic) Bay where an appropriate memorial marks the spot where the English seamen put in for repairs to the "Golden Hinde" on that famous voyage around the world. ... Miss Marion Leale, Mrs. Robert H. Menzies, Miss Millen Griffith, Mr. Paige Monteagle..."
  4. Moller, Ernestine (11 July 1916). "1914 Drakes Bay Pilgrimage by Sir Francis Drake Association". Letter to Josephine Hyde. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  5. "Drake Memorial June 25: Society Requests People to Attend: Stone to Be Erected". Marin County Tocsin. 3 June 1916. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. "Landing of Drake to be Commemorated: Marin Churchmen's Association to Sponsor Pilgrimage to Drake's Bay". San Anselmo Herald. 25 May 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  7. "Sir Francis Drake Association" . Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  8. "To Drake's Bay". San Rafael: Daily Independent Journal. August 23, 1954.
  9. "Guide to the Drakes Bay National Historic Landmark Sites-Drakes Bay Historic and Archaeological District". July 25, 2017.