Celebrating the 4th of July at Lake Watsonville
Watsonville has celebrated 4th of July in many ways. However, imagine this: in May 1907 the Pajaronian urged Watsonville leaders to take advantage our natural resource: the Pajaro River. It was suggested to dam it up and make a lake for a 4th of July celebration...Stephen Mallory White
Stephen Mallory White A Biographical Sketch Compiled by Stanley D. Stevens Pajaro Valley’s “Favorite Son” “perhaps the most eminent of the State’s native sons.” “the memory of California’s greatest son” — Mayor of Los Angeles Who was this “Favorite Son”?...
Watsonville was the California History Section’s City of the Month
9/12/2019 In the spirit of celebrating a job well done, we have selected Watsonville as the California History Section’s City of the Month. This distinction highlights organizations involved in local cultural preservation and outreach, as well as the varied...
PVHA Receives Grant from Community Foundation
The Pajaro Valley Historical Association is honored to receive a $50,000 grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County to advance our organization’s capital and historic preservation project. Thank you to Board members Judy Nielson, President, and Ralph...
Preserving our Heritage for All to Enjoy
Fifth Annual Raffle Fund Raiser – coming in August This year’s Annual Fund Raising Raffle Campaign begins in August 2019. The Drawing will be October 9, 2019.
PVHA Honored as “Organization of the Year for 2018” by the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce
PVHA Honored as “Organization of the Year for 2018” by the Watsonville Chamber of CommerceThe Pajaro Valley Historical Association was extremely honored to be named “Organization of the Year.”When PVHA was informed of this honor, Judy Doering-Nielsen,...
Christmas Tea – December 2, 2018
Mark your calendar for the Christmas Tea! Sunday, December 2, 2018 1 to 4 p.m. 332 East Beach Street Watsonville
Organization of the Year
Article from the Register-Pajaronian by Todd Guild & Erik Chalhoub During its 77-year history, the Pajaro Valley Historical Association has served as a repository for Watsonville’s memories. The organization’s volunteers spend hours categorizing and storing...
Welcome to PVHA
Welcome to our website. Watch for updates and thanks for supporting us. In 1940, the Pajaro Valley Historical Association was established to preserve, interpret, share and promote the history of the diverse cultures that shaped California’s Monterey Bay area. The...
The Watsonville First United Methodist Church is celebrating its 170th anniversary on Oct. 22, 2022. The Methodist congregation was established in Watsonville in 1852 when Rev. D.A. Dryden preached in a grove of cottonwoods & conducted a marriage ceremony on the banks of the Pajaro River. This was believed to be the first American wedding ceremony in the Pajaro Valley. (Marilyn Hyde, Church Historian, watsonville1stumc.org)