Open
Thursday - Sunday
12:00 -
4:00 pm
Other Times
or Groups By Appointment
For Details Call:
(831) 724-5898
.jpg)
Welcome
to the Codiga Center and Museum, a focus of AHP, the non-profit organization
dedicated to the preservation of ag history on the Central Coast of California.
Located at the entrance to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California, the Codiga is home to our exhibits, research center, archives and gift shop, the “Country Corner.” Come and discover the history of agriculture in this area of the country - including the crops, people, artifacts and farming practices that have made the Pajaro Valley what it is today.
The valley’s unique combination of soils and climates can support over 80 crops, cataloged in the Timeline Exhibit in the Codiga. From potatoes and wheat to lettuce and strawberries, the Central Coast has supplied the world's tables for over 150 years.
Come and enjoy
a family outing among the tools, plows, tractors and implements of yesterday’s
farming, along with fascinating historical notes! The grounds are open Thursday
- Sunday, Noon to 4 p.m.; admission is free, but visitors are asked to help
support the work of AHP with a donation of $2 per person.
Come and discover the history of agriculture of the Central Coast, from the Ohlones to today. Immerse yourself in the story of the once flourishing apple industry or a variety of canning jars. Experience the history of dairying through the four generation story of one family and view an extensive milk bottle collection, and more.
 |
An upcoming exhibit will highlight the era when Watsonville was the “frozen food capital of the West” (opening in the Summer of 2005). The upstairs Santa Cruz County Room archive houses a non-circulating collection of agricultural related books, photos and an extensive collection of California Agricultural Extension Services pamphlets. (Research by appointment only.) |
View our collection of restored horse drawn equipment including plows, binders, reapers and planters. An extensive collection of hand tools is also on display.
Then, wander down to the SNYDER BUILDING, known on-site as The Shop. The building includes our restoration shop and storage for restored equipment. There will probably be someone working on a carriage, tractor or other rescued piece of equipment while you’re there.
To
Top
MADESKO
GAZEBO
.jpg) |
This shady spot offers you a place to meet and to rest, or there are are picnic tables under the redwood trees next to the Codiga Center (please respect the young, sprouting trees). |
To
Top
LIVING
HISTORY FARM
Two acres of dry farmed hay are now growing near AHP. A special threshing event will occur on May 21, 2005; watch for more news about "Hay Day in May" in the coming weeks.
The Agricultural History Project is located at the entrance to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California. It is in the heart of the bountiful Pajaro Valley, midway between Santa Cruz and Monterey, nine miles from both Sunset Beach State Park and Mount Madonna County Park.
AHP is a short drive from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Roaring Camp Railroad, Big Basin State Park and Gizdich Ranch (where homemade pies are baked daily). The historic Rodgers House, the Victorian home of John Steinbeck’s sister Esther Rodgers, is adjacent to the AHP site.
Watsonville is located on California’s beautiful Monterey Bay, 100 miles south of San Francisco, 50 miles south of San Jose, 25 miles south of Santa Cruz and 25 miles north of Monterey.
FROM THE NORTH. Take Highway 1 south to Airport Boulevard exit in Watsonville. Follow Airport Boulevard to Green Valley Road, where the name changes to Holohan Road. Continue on Holohan to Highway 152. Turn left on Highway 152 and proceed two miles to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. AHP is located on the right of the entrance to the Fairgrounds.
FROM THE EAST. From Highway 101 take State Highway 129 to Watsonville. Follow the signs to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. AHP is located on the right of the entrance to the Fairgrounds.
FROM THE SOUTH. Take Highway 1 north to the State Highway 129 exit (Riverside Drive) in Watsonville. Follow the signs to the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. AHP is located on the right of the entrance to the Fairgrounds. FREE PARKING is available just inside the fairgrounds.
The Santa Cruz County Metro bus route 79 stops at AHP’s front gate on weekdays and route 78 does the same on weekends.
Thursday - Sunday, Noon - 4 p.m. Special guided tours may be arranged in advance. Facilities are handicapped accessible. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and major holidays.
Entrance Fee
Admission is free, but visitors are asked to help support the work of AHP
with a donation of $2 per person.
 |
 |
Thursdays are education days at AHP. School classes learn many of the everyday
practices of our ancestors - all the common chores they had to perform just
to put a meal on the table.
|
|
Volunteer led activities including milking AHP’s “contented cows,” making butter, washing clothes, planting and grinding corn. A ride on a hay wagon and snack complete the morning. Schools may schedule a visit by calling AHP at (831) 724-5898. Plan ahead as the available days fill up quickly. |
Our mission is to preserve the history of agriculture as practiced in the counties of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey. In doing so it is our hope that future generations might understand and appreciate the practices and values of previous generations. We will promote, through education, a public awareness of the economic, cultural, ethnic and historical significance of agriculture in the area.
The hope of the
members of the Agricultural History Project is that education about the accomplishments
of the people who worked the
land in the past will inspire renewed admiration for them and all who continue
to provide our sustenance.
.jpg)
So we collect, restore and display artifacts - the equipment and tools of our forefathers and the utensils their wives and children used just to sustain themselves and to build agriculture on the Central Coast of California.
You can help continue this effort by making a donation of cash, property or marketable securities. Or, simply become a member; joining hundreds of like-minded people who have joined to help support our efforts. Donations to AHP are tax deductible.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY
Regular - $20.00 Sustaining - $100 Life - $500
BUSINESS
Regular - $100.00 Sustaining - $250 Life - $1,000
EDUCATION CLASS
Regular - $20.00
Make checks payable to Agricultural History Project and mail to P.O. Box 1181, Watsonville, CA 95077
The Agricultural History Project provides an opportunity for people of any age to volunteer time to be a docent. A docent shares information on the collection and exhibits in the Codiga Center and Museum, Porter Implement Shed and Snyder Restoration Barn, and can share stories about agriculture and its practices of the Central Coast of California.
.jpg)
As as volunteer, your skills are needed in maintaining the vast collection of artifacts, exhibits and equipment in the collection. Volunteers are needed in the research library to help maintain the collection of photos, papers, books, pamphlets and other artifacts that have been given to AHP for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
If you like to work with children, the Education Program could use your skills to teach children some of the past practices of agriculture. The Education Program teaches children how food and fiber is grown and processed. If your skills are in advertising, publicity or promotion, you could help promote AHP through the various media. It is our intention to be a major tourist attraction for the entire Central Coast.
AHP is always looking for volunteers to help in fund raising, to gain new members, to talk with potential sponsors for our various activities and to be part of a speakers bureau. Should you have any questions or want to be a volunteer, please call the AHP office at (831) 724-5898.
HAY DAY IN MAY - Saturday, May 21
JUNE DAIRY DAY - Saturday, June 11
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR - September 13 - 18
At the Santa Cruz County Fair, AHP produces Yesterday’s Farm. At Claudia’s Kitchen you’ll see demonstrations of early cooking and baking; at the Madesko Education Center, there will be hay rides and threshing demonstrations.
.jpg)
If you are in the area in November, 2005, attend our annual fundraiser - The Harvest Dinner. Enjoy good food and good company; silent and live auctions. Contact us for more information.
Agricultural
History Project
2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, California
P.O. Box 1181, Watsonville, CA 95077
(831) 724-5898
Postmaster@aghistoryproject.org
© 2004, Agricultural History Project
