El Cerrito Historical Society’s Golden Jubilee Celebration

Come celebrate the historical society’s fiftieth anniversary in one of El Cerrito’s most historic locales—the former site of the Contra Costa Florist shop and nursery run by the Mabuchi family. Learn about the Japanese flower growers who built a thriving floral industry, only to be imprisoned in internment camps during World War II. After the war, they rebuilt their lives and livelihoods. Although the nurseries are gone, many descendants of the families live in the area and some will be joining us at the event.

Juri Kinoshita will have an ikebana display from 1-3 p.m. and will put on two ikebana demonstrations. Artist Lucy Ames will host a drop-in flower-themed art-making program for young people and adults from 3:30-5 p.m. We’ll have old-fashioned games for kids, snacks and drinks, exhibits and crafts, and a talk by one of the society’s founders.

This free event will run from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, at the former Contra Costa Florist shop, now part of Hana Gardens, 10848 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito.