(NAME-MCE) Sen. Boxer Moves to Preserve APA History

[Anselmo Villanueva]

Sen. Boxer Moves to Preserve APA History

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced a bill to
preserve an important part of California history
and the site of the first Japanese settlement in
the United States. Her Gold Hill-Wakamatsu
Preservation Act (S.1596) authorizes the Bureau
of Land Management to acquire and manage the
Gold Hill Ranch near Coloma, California. This
site was the location of the Wakamatsu Tea and
Silk Colony from 1869 to 1871, recognized by the
State of California and the Japanese American
Citizens League as the first Japanese settlement
in the United States.

MORE: http://www.aaa-fund.com/?p=2094

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Senator Boxer Introduces Bill to Preserve First Japanese Settlement

Dear Friend:

I am pleased to let you know that I have introduced legislation to
preserve an important part of California history and the site of the
first Japanese settlement in the United States. My Gold Hill-Wakamatsu
Preservation Act (S.1596) authorizes the Bureau of Land Management to
acquire and manage the Gold Hill Ranch near Coloma, California. This
site was the location of the Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony from 1869
to 1871, recognized by the State of California and the Japanese
American Citizens League as the first Japanese settlement in the
United States.

This legislation will protect this historic site in California’s Gold
Country, where a small band of immigrants established the first
Japanese settlement in the nation more than a century ago. I am proud
to introduce this bill, and I look forward to working with my Senate
colleagues to preserve the story of the Wakamatsu colonists for future
generations.

In 1869, seven Japanese citizens and a European expatriate fled
turmoil in Japan and sailed across the Pacific to San Francisco. The
group made their way east and purchased land in Gold Hill. Within two
years, the colony grew to 22 Japanese settlers and began producing
traditional Japanese crops such as tea, silk, rice, and bamboo. The
Japanese colonists and the surrounding community learned about each
others’ cultures and agricultural techniques.

Drought and financial problems forced the group to disperse and settle
throughout California beginning in 1871, and the property was
purchased by the Veerkamp family in 1875. Though the colony was
short-lived, many of the original structures on the site remain
intact. The 272-acre ranch encompassing the original colony site has
been passed down for generations through the Veerkamp family. The site
has been preserved for visitors to come and learn about the history of
the Wakamatsu colonists and Japanese-American culture. It also
provides wildlife habitat, hiking trails
and picnic areas, and grazing and pastureland.

This project is supported by the Japanese American Citizens League,
the National Japanese American Historical Society, the Consul General
of Japan, the Governor of Fukishima Prefecture and the Mayor of
Wakamatsu in Japan, People-to-People International, the El Dorado
County Board of Supervisors, the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce,
members of the local community, and numerous elected officials
including Assemblyman Ted Gaines, who represents this district.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator