Rossmoor History & Culture Club


Explore the gallery of Time and the Arts 
with the
Rossmoor History & Culture Club

Just a glance at what remains for us in 2024. Click on the title of the event for more information


Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Gateway Speaker:  HCC Welcomes Ruth Asawa’s Grandson, Henry Weverka

Hear HCC’s guest Henry Weverka, Ruth Asawa’s grandson and the leading advocate of her legacy around the world. For her ground breaking modernism and championing art for everyone and rising from being part of an interned Japanese family, Asawa became a renowned educator and artist.  

Just this September, a few weeks ago, Asawa was posthumously recognized at the White House by President Joe Biden where she received the National Medal of Arts.  There is no higher arts award in the US.  

Perhaps most famous for her wire sculptures, which most recently sold at Sotheby’s auction house in the millions, Asawa was a tireless activist for the arts and art education. She believed the arts are for everyone. Her flame still burns brightly. Weverka’s engagement is a follow-on to the 2023 HCC Tour of Asawa’s public art in San Francisco which was also supported by Henry. SF MOMA is planning an Asawa Exhibit in 2025. It complements the permanent exhibit at the deYoung Museum.  

What we are working on for 2025 

Click on the blue title to go to the Event for a detailed description or to register for the Event

  • July & August: Summer Vacation
  • September: Speaker, Tuesday, September 2, 10am, Fireside Room Dr. Wayne Wiegand, Author, Historian & Library Luminary, 'In Silence or Indifference: Racism and Jim Crow Segregated Public School Libraries’ 
HCC does not meet in November, July or August

General Information:

HCC Speaker Series: Jan, Mar, Apr, Sep, Dec

Members & non-members may register for all speaker programs at any time. Registration, though not required, enables HCC to request sufficient chairs. Please cancel your registration if you find you can’t  attend. There is no charge for speaker events, but your dues enables HCC to pay speakers and meeting room set-up charges.   

Day Trips: Feb, May, Oct

Registrations for Day trips are by US mail only. Reservations go on sale 6 - 8 weeks prior to events by mail only. Watch for member e-newsletters and Rossmoor News articles.

New Member Event: June

E-invitations go to new members 6- 8 weeks before the event. Registration details will be in the e-invitation. No walk-ins.    

Become a member and be ready to enjoy all of these wonderful talks and tours.
Join today and get 2025 as well!!

Click Here to Join!


Upcoming events

    • Tuesday, December 03, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Gateway Fireside Room
    Register

    Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Gateway Speaker: Henry Weverka, President, Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc.  

    Henry Weverka, President Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc., "Ruth Asawa - A Legacy of American Art"

    Hear HCC’s guest Henry Weverka, Ruth Asawa’s grandson and the leading advocate of her legacy around the world. For her ground breaking modernism and championing art for everyone and rising from being part of an interned Japanese family, Asawa emerged to become a renowned educator and artist.  Just this September, a few weeks ago, Asawa was posthumously recognized at the White House by President Joe Biden where she received the National Medal of Arts.  There is no higher arts award in the US.  

    Perhaps most famous for her wire sculptures, which most recently sold at Sotheby’s auction house in the millions, Asawa was a tireless activist for the arts and art education. She believed the arts are for everyone. Her flame still burns brightly. Weverka’s engagement is a follow-on to the 2023 HCC Tour of Asawa’s public art in San Francisco which was also supported by Henry. SF MOMA is planning an Asawa Exhibit in 2025. It complements the permanent exhibit at the deYoung Museum.



    • Tuesday, January 07, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Gateway Fireside Room
    Register

    HCC Speaker Series -
    History and Highlights of the
    Ruth Bancroft Garden

    Ruth Bancroft was a genuine ‘dirt gardener’ who worked with her hands, kept meticulous records and enjoyed living with her husband on the 400-acre Bancroft family fruit farm in Walnut Creek. 

    The first-generation daughter of Swedish immigrants, Ruth attended the School of Architecture at UC Berkeley where her education was derailed by the Depression. Bancroft began her garden on a 3-acre plot on the farm in the 1950s. Some may even remember Ruth’s weekly garden column in the East Bay Times. 

    By the time she died in 2017 at age 109, she had received international recognition and acclaim. Yet, Bancroft maintained a simple and genuine love for ‘dry gardening'. Her extraordinary succulents and cacti have a year-round presence, coming in and out of bloom and coloration as if the plants were absorbed in a fascinating conversation with each other. Hear about the magical Bancroft Gardens offering visual delights throughout the year. 


    • Wednesday, February 05, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Meeting Place Announced with Reservation Acceptance
    • 48

    Day Trip: Frank Lloyd Wright’s
    Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael.

    Hosted lunch, Le Chalet Basque

    Reservations for Day Trips are by US Mail only. 


    Join the History & Culture Club on Wednesday, February 5 for a tour of the distinctive Marin Civic Center.

    Docents will honor the controversial architecture of Frank Loyd Wright with history and stories. The only municipal complex Wright designed, it showcases the great American architect of the 20th century. Rampant Wright at every turn, the structure delivers a bounty of visual discovery.

    The cost is $114.00 per member including chartered bus, driver tip, lunch, docent tour, all taxes and gratuities. Board the bus at 8:15 a.m. at Gateway. Return about 3:00 p.m.

    Trip rating is Easy/Moderate. Walk on hard, flat surfaces with minimal rest area seating. An elevator, shallow stairs and escalator are available.

    HCC guests travel at their own risk. Everyone must travel independently or with their responsible HCC member. Escorts cannot act as aides.

    Le Chalet Basque, a beloved family-owned restaurant, hosts lunch. The hosted lunch includes

    • Salad
    • Choice of Seasonal Vegetarian Pasta, Half Roasted Chicken with Chef’s Choice Side, or Chopped Sirloin with French Fries
    • Spumoni ice cream for dessert.
    • Guests will be served 1 cold or hot drink. Include entree choice and dietary restrictions or mobility challenges with reservation.


    Reservations, only by US MAIL, start on Wednesday, December 11 closing on Monday, January 20. Mail checks, payable to HCC, to Beverly Pincus, 1425 Canyonwood Ct., #3, WC, 94595.

    Legible name, email, home address and mobile are required per registrant. Checks received before the start date or dropped off, result in wait list reservations.

    Checks are kept until the tour occurs and are shredded for cancellations before the deadline or as reservations are re-sold. Reservations may only be re-sold by HCC.

    Weekly emails occur with new reservation or wait list confirmation. An email reminder goes out several days before the tour. Many wait listers go on tours.

    Tours are only for HCC members. 2024/2025 dues of $20 are payable separately.

    Mail membership checks, with legible email address and phone numbers, to Kathy Araujo, Membership Chair, HCC, 1147 Oakmont Dr., #8, WC, 94595 or pay with credit card at www.rossmoor-hcc.com .

    • Tuesday, March 04, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Gateway Fireside Room
    Register

    HCC Speaker Series -
    Charles & Ray Eames - Design for Life

    Join lecturer and art historian Avril Angevine as she reveals some fascinating details about the 20th century innovative husband and wife Charles and Ray Eames who are best known for their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design, industrial design, and documentary filmmaking. From their studio in Los Angeles, Charles and Ray developed a design philosophy that continues to resonate with 21st century designers.

    Their own residence, built in 1949 as part of the Case Study House Program, is considered one of the most important post-war residences anywhere in the world. Their chairs—especially the iconic Eames Lounge chair, designed to have “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt”- are still as sought after as ever, embodying modern chic and comfort in equal measure.


    • Tuesday, April 01, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Gateway Fireside Room
    Register

    HCC  Speaker Series -
    Dave Mackesey -
    Diablo Historian and Author

    Hear about the rich history of the Diablo lands from someone who knows them best - Dave Mackesey


    He has enjoyed membership at Diablo Country Club for more than a decade, and serves as the Club historian, Today's event stems from HCC's recent tour of the DCC.  Several dozen HCC members enjoyed this excursion hosted and presented by Dave in October 2024.  As he himself said that day "There's so much more to tell."

    Dave's storied career included earning a Fortune 500 Vice President role in his 20's, President of the Wine Group, Inc. in his 30s and retiring in his 40s.  

    He then began the journey to write the book From Country Estate to Country Club, the History of the Diablo Country Club. Serving as President of the Club for several years, this book was a gift from Dave and Lynda Mackesey to the members of Diablo Country Club and will be available at the HCC Speaker Event for $40, cash or check.

    HCC members and non-members can register for this and other upcoming Speaker Series at www.rossmoor-hcc.com. Registration, while not mandatory, allows HCC to plan seating and volunteer requirements. 


    We look forward to seeing you!
    • Tuesday, September 02, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Fireside Gateway Room
    Register

    HCC Speaker Series,
    Tuesday, September 2, 10am,
    Gateway Fireside Room

    Join HCC’s Susan Moxley in conversation with Rossmoor’s own ‘library luminary’ Wayne Wiegand. His new book explores the state of librarians around the country who are currently on a battleground defending their right to purchase and circulate books dealing with race, systemic racism and even its own history.

    Wiegand takes a crucial step to amend the historical record by writing this book. HCC is pleased to welcome back by Dr. Wiegand, a prior HCC distinguished speaker.  

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