Chris Treadway: Excitement builds toward opening of Rosie the Riveter visitors center

By Chris Treadway
Contra Costa Times
Posted:   04/23/2012 03:41:20 PM PDT
Updated:   04/23/2012 05:34:20 PM PDT

Richmond is embracing and celebrating its history as never before as excitement builds toward the opening next month of the new visitors center at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.
Those attending the annual gala for the Rosie the Riveter Trust on Saturday [April 28] will get a sneak preview of the center before dinner at the Craneway Pavilion. (Details: Click here)
Another upcoming gala at the Craneway, "Rosie's Big Bash," is a concert with high-octane swing group Big Bad Voodoo Daddy being held at the Craneway on May 25, the day before the visitors center opens.
General admission to the show is $35. A VIP $250 admission to the gala includes a preshow cocktail party, dinner and a sneak peek of the visitors center and museum.
Period-appropriate attire is encouraged.
More details to come in this space on the concert and other events leading up to the center's dedication.
For tickets to the concert, visit craneway.inticketing.com/events/199294.
Richmond, meanwhile, is back with a new round of awards recognizing "individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies whose contributions demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence in historic preservation, local history or promotion of the heritage of the city."
This year's Historic Preservation Award recipients, announced by Richmond's Historic Preservation Commission, include an educator, a historian and author, an arts organization and the Rosie the Riveter Trust.
This year's honorees: George Coles "for preserving the history of Richmond and for being an inspirational educator"; Kaiser historian Steve Gilford for his book "Build 'Em by the Mile, Cut 'Em off by the Yard"; the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts for the Rehabilitation of the Winters Building; and Rosie the Riveter Trust for the rehabilitation of the Maritime Child Development Center.
In addition to the city's award recipients, the National Park Service presents its own award, this year choosing the Richmond Museum of History.
"Between its acquisition, display and interpretation of museum objects and archival materials from the rich history of Richmond, California, and the acquisition and herculean restoration efforts on the SS Red Oak Victory," the NPS said in its announcement, "the Richmond Museum of History not only paved the way for the formation of the National Historical Park but continues to be a major backbone of its history, interpretation, and education programs."
The awards will be presented at a ceremony at 5 p.m. May 7 in the City Council chamber at 440 Civic Center Plaza as the kickoff to National Historic Preservation Month.
The public is invited to the ceremony and the free reception that follows in the Richmond Auditorium lobby.