Politics & Government

California Heritage Council Celebrates the Arsenal

The oldest preservation group in California recognizes Benicia resident Marilyn Bardet for her work organizing the Arsenal Preservation Task Force.

While 70 people looked on Sunday at the Jefferson Street Mansion, Benician Marilyn Bardet was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the California Heritage Council for her work helping to organize the Arsenal Preservation Task Force. 

The award ceremony was part of an afternoon celebrating the history of the Arsenal.  Among the many guests were Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada who represents Benicia in the California Assembly, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, school board trustee Dana Dean, Kathy Hoffman, representing U.S. Rep. George Miller's office, Interim City Manager Jim Erickson, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin and Economic Development Board members Claire McFadden and Eldon Petersen.

Leading off the speakers was Mayor Patterson who spoke of the Arsenal as being the first public-private partnership in California.

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"Because the Arsenal was established here securing our westward destiny, the Pacific Steamship Co. in 1849 located its foundries, coal stations and maintenance facilities in Benicia protected by proximity to the Arsenal," said Patterson in her prepared remarks. Later, after the other speakers had finished, Patterson added, "Reed (Robbin)'s success in preserving this building and then using it for a commercial enterprise should be a guiding principal for our downtown.  It shows how business and historic tourism can rely on each other."

California Heritage Council President John Hodges congratulated Robbins, event host and owner of the Jefferson Street Mansion, for her work and vision in preserving the building, built in 1861, and for using it as a commercial business. 

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Another speaker, Dr. James Lessenger, a medical doctor and local historian, gave a brief history of the Arsenal.  In particular he said the hospital at the Arsenal "was the first built specifically for that purpose west of the Mississippi River."  The old hospital building is now the headquarters for Amports which, Lessenger said, has done a good job of preserving the building.

Also speaking at the event was Gary Widman, president of the Presidio Historical Association.  Widman was stationed at the Arsenal as a young Army Lieutenant  from 1957 to 1959 when the Arsenal was part of the Nike Missile program. He reminisced about being statioined here and his office in the headquarters building. "The commanding officer had his office at the west end of the building, and all the other offices were assigned by rank," he said.  "My office was on the far east end of the building," he added dryly.

After the speakers had finished guest were given a tour of the commanding officer's quarters known locally as the Commandant's House.  After the tour they returned to the Jefferson Street Mansion for light hors d'oeuvres , dessert and the opportunity to wander inside the Jefferson Street Mansion.


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