About
Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos
Background
Dana Adobe Nipomo
Amigos (DANA) was organized in 1999 as a
private, nonprofit public benefit corporation
under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation
Law for public and charitable purposes. The
primary purpose of the group upon its
incorporation was to take over stewardship and
restoration of one of the most important
historical structures in California — the Dana
Adobe — located in Nipomo, California. In 2004,
DANA assumed ownership of the adobe from the San
Luis Obispo County Historical Society, which had
owned it since 1954.
The Dana Adobe is
a 13-room adobe residence, the construction of
which began in 1839 and was completed in 1851.
It is distinguished as the most historic private
residence in the County of San Luis
Obispo. It is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and is designated a California
State Historic Landmark (No. 1033).
Captain William G.
Dana built the adobe as his family residence.
Captain Dana played an important role in the
history of California, both before and after it
achieved statehood. The adobe was erected on the
37,888-acre Rancho Nipomo, which Captain Dana
received in 1837 through one of the first and
largest of the Mexican land grants.
The Dana Adobe was
the only house between San Luis Obispo and Los
Alamos on the road to Santa Barbara, and for
several years provided the only stopping place
between Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission
Santa Ines. It’s proximity to the coast offered
convenient access to shipping for both coastal
and foreign trade. As a result, Rancho Nipomo
became the center of agriculture and commerce
for a hundred-mile stretch of the California
coast, and Captain Dana became one of the three
most prominent foreign traders in California.
Vision
Since its
inception, DANA has expanded its vision and
purpose significantly. The organization is now
striving to create an historical park that:
·
Reflects the everyday and historically
significant lives of the Anglo-Americans,
Mexicans, the Chumash, and other native peoples
·
Showcases the Dana Adobe and the rancho’s
natural and cultural history
·
Highlights the working economies and
contributions made by the Dana family and rancho
inhabitants during California’s rancho period
Today, most of the
land of the original Rancho Nipomo has given way
to private and commercial development. However,
much of the land immediately surrounding the
adobe remains relatively intact as ranchland
preserving its natural and cultural
significance. The land includes a nearly
one-half mile stretch of Nipomo Creek, providing
a biologically rich riparian habitat along the
Pacific Coast migratory flyway.
Preservation of
this magnificent landscape is now a fundamental
component of the DANA mission. DANA recently
successfully obtained funds to permanently
protect the 100-acre viewshed immediately
adjacent to the adobe. This land is now county
parkland managed by DANA as part of the
historical park and includes a portion of the
original El Camino Real.
The plans for the
historical park are ambitious. DANA intends to
recreate Rancho Nipomo much as it was in the
mid-nineteenth century. This would provide an
authentic setting in which visitors can step
back in time. The organization plans to conduct
living history presentations that will not only
instruct but also involve visitors in the
culture and activities of the times.
Plans include the
reconstruction of the original Rancho Nipomo
outbuildings as well as the construction of a
visitor center and museum. DANA has already
assembled a collection of original artifacts
from the period including furniture, clothing,
and the original Dana family pump organ, which
is in working condition.
Community
Involvement
DANA is involved
with the community through a variety of programs
that include:
·
Rancho Nipomo
Heritage Day.
An annual event held at the rancho that includes
live entertainment, living history
presentations, and tours.
·
Elementary
school educational programs.
In partnership with community educators, DANA
has developed a docent program in which students
visit the rancho to be immersed in the history
and culture of the times. A newly designed
nature education program for students is
currently being launched.
·
Saturday Talks at the Adobe.
A summer lecture
series featuring local scholars and history
enthusiasts who provide insight into the people
who played a role in Central Coast and
California history.
·
Christmas at the Adobe.
Annual open house in which docents and local
school children recreate Christmas as it was in
1850s California.
·
Building
restoration.
Under the direction of professional constructors
and restorers, DANA has a continuing program of
restoration of the Dana Adobe. Community members
are invited to participate and learn the art and
science of restoration.
Funding
DANA conducts a
continuing capital campaign to raise funds from
a variety of sources, including:
·
Government and private agency grants
·
Corporate sponsors
·
Charitable foundations
·
Tiered membership (annual appeal)
·
Special events
·
Donors like you
