OAKLAND (KCBS) – Funding to preserve a piece of East Bay history that dates back to the early Spanish settlers of California has all but vanished.
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park has lost most of the public and private money it counts on to operate living history exhibits where Luis Peralta’s family administered a cattle ranch established on land granted by the Spanish government after his service in the military.
“We are really hoping to raise $150,000 by the end of this calendar year in order to keep moving,” said the museum’s Ben Glickstein.
Activities at an 1840s-themed fundraising party Thursday will revolve around the mythical California hero, Zorro.
“The story of Zorro will bring to life a different history of California and get people excited about how California history has a lot to do with Oakland today,” Glickstein said.
The Victorian on the six-acre park and museum in the Fruitvale District was once the home of Antonio Peralta, one of Luis Peralta’s four sons. Seven cities in Alameda County – San Leandro, Oakland, Alameda, Emeryville, Piedmont, Berkeley, and Albany – sprung up on the 45,000 acres controlled for decades by the Peralta brothers.
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