Historical society hopes youth can carry it into the future
DOWNEY — As they continue to try and preserve the past, the Downey Historical Society may have found its leaders of the future.
The historical society has recently seen a modest influx of youngsters, beginning with 18-year-old Andrea Barajas.
Barajas’s introduction to the historical society came during the summer of her junior year at Warren High School, when she found herself needing information on Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center for a documentary she was working on as part of an internship.
“I came down to the historical society, and [Downey Historical Society President] Bob [Thompson] loaned me a book,” said Barajas. “I used some of those images in the documentary. I told Bob, “I will give you the documentary, I’ll give you a copy so you can have it for records.’
“After that, he was really impressed with that so he invited me to come on down more frequently to the historical society.”
Barajas brought along Jesus Reyes, 19, who also had an appreciation for history. Zoelli Ortiz, also 19, joined not long after.
Being the new generation of Downey historians “can be a bit overwhelming” says Barajas.
“Just thinking about it all, like, wow, they know so much information, and just trying to save everything,” said Barajas. “Even just trying to recruit people, you know? We’ve been coming up with different tactics – community service hours for high schools, programs for middle schoolers and stuff – so, I think it’s great that we’re actually able to still conserve it and work on that because I know a lot of historical societies have unfortunately dissolved because they don’t have any members anymore.”
Reyes added that there is an individual sense of responsibility to preserve Downey’s history once it’s been discovered. He feels that while Downey has always appreciated and celebrated its past, it hasn’t done the best job in protecting it.
“To see external entities sort of erasing that in some sort of way, it kind of brings you more in; trying to find more history about the city, more ways you can try to preserve it to teach other people about that same history,” said Reyes.
“Honestly, there have been a couple places where they’ve been irresponsible with preserving history, like Los Amigos, that’s been sort of just sitting there since the 80’s, since the 90’s,” continued Reyes. “You also have the old Rockwell International Plant that has been brought over commercial, but at the end of the day is not very commemorative to its past.”
Ortiz described Downey as “the embodiment of American cities.”
“When you look back in time, Downey started agricultural, and then it turned into more of a suburban town, and now it’s what it is today,” said Ortiz. “I think it’s so interesting that you can see both of those come into play.
“I think Downey encapsulates America and how America has progressed in one little city.”
Downey’s historical Dismukes House pictured in the late 1800s. The home has been preserved and is now located outside the Downey Historical Society at Apollo Park. (Photo courtesy Downey Historical Society)
The trio has several goals and aspirations for the historical society, not least of which being recruitment and expansion. They also hope to see knowledge and teaching of Downey’s history stretch beyond the society’s four walls.
“I know for me, I didn’t really learn anything about Downey history until maybe junior year…and that was just an offhand note,” said Barajas. “I think that if we can try to get some more partnership with some of the elementary schools, starting them off young, having them come in here, seeing the Dismukes House…having them be excited about their city’s history,” said Barajas. “Ultimately, we do live here, so I think it’s really important to try to learn a little more about their schools, or the streets they go on.”
The arrival of Barajas, Reyes, and Ortiz comes as a welcome addition to more seasoned members of the Historical Society.
Roger Miller, who at the age of 68 used to be considered “the young member” of the organization, says it’s “quite a relief.”
“I heard that South Gate and Arcadia both folded their historical societies due to folks aging out and nobody walking in behind them to pick up the mantle and do something,” said Miller.
Thompson expressed excitement for the new batch of historians, saying that he thought the history center “would be in good hands.”
“I don’t want to sound corny, but I always try to tell young folks who come in here, ‘This is your city, please take care of it, love it, respect it, don’t let it get destroyed;’ Kind of like preaching to them a bit, but that’s how I feel,” said Thompson. “These folks seem like they fit that bill. They’re excellent.”