The historic Bovard-Wilson Hayes House sign (Photo – Kayleigh Scott)
The Historic San Gabriel Mission District Museum hosted the grand reopening of the Bovard-Wilson Hayes House on Saturday, August 17th.
By Kayleigh Scott
Many Gabrelinos with close ties to the history of the home and its residents attended the gathering, reminiscing on the memories they share of Mary Ruth Hayes and other prominent members of the community.
Miss Hayes was a teacher at a local school and created strong relationships with students and their parents. The home was moved to its current location in 1990. The home was originally built in 1887, the first owner was George Bovard until 1894. The Wilson Hayes family owned the home until 1990, with Mary Ruth Hayes being its final resident. Three generations of the Wilson family kept up an orchard of oranges, chickens, and even a horse. The Wilsons also served as Landlords of neighboring properties on the ranch.
At the Bovard-Wilson reopening, Helen Sanchez, a dedicated volunteer of 20 years, shared that the Hayes Family fostered a sense of comradery with Japanese residents who rented from the Wilson family on Pine Street, and who were incarcerated during World War 2. She shared notes, children’s toys, and sweaters that were exchanged by students, business owners, and neighbors who lost their communities to incarceration. Some are still in contact today and maintain those same businesses: the San Gabriel Nursery and Local Photo Studio.
Without much family left, Miss Hayes not only left her home to the city but also all of its contents. A music box filled the living room with the rich sounds of the 1940s. Much memorabilia from Miss Hayes’s teaching days, complete china sets, silverware, and ornate teacup collections filled the home. The volunteers even show the dress that Mary wore for her graduation from UCLA.
Many of the volunteers are close to the community of San Gabriel, greeting viewers with warm welcomes. They are always accepting new volunteers to help them preserve the museum and home for the next generation to enjoy. Their next event, a dinner with silent auction, is being held on Thursday, September 19 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are being sold for $60 per seat. This dinner will fundraise to maintain the museum and all that comes with upkeep for older homes. If interested, RSVP by Sept 10 with Mary Cammarando at marycamm@sbcglobal.net or marycammarando1940@gmail.com or (626) 644-3334.
Exterior of the Bovard-Wilson Hayes House (Photo – Kayleigh Scott)
Dinner with silent auction Thursday September 19 6:00 pm Location 324 South Mission Drive San Gabriel, CA 91776 $60 per person RSVP by Sept 10
Interior scene of the Hayes House (Photo – Kayleigh Scott)
Memorabilia belonging to Mary Ruth Hayes, the last resident of the house (Photos – Kayleigh Scott)
(Photo – Kayleigh Scott)
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