What`s YOUR family`s cultural heritage?

Bringing People Together. . . Novato History Museum
October is National Family History Month!
What’s YOUR family’s cultural heritage?
There are a number of long-standing traditions in Novato, based on the cultural traditions of its immigrants.
Portuguese immigrants from the Azores Islands founded IDESI Hall (Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo
Independente) in 1906. Its main purpose was to celebrate the annual Holy Ghost Festa, and to sponsor civic
and religious events intended to promote and foster Portuguese traditions, culture and heritage.
After more than 100 years, I.D.E.S.I.
continues to celebrate the Holy Ghost Festa
each spring with a procession to the Catholic
Church, the crowning of queens in honor
of Queen St. Isabel of Portugal, and the
serving of the traditional free meal of sopas
e carne to everyone present. (Photo: The
Queen of the Holy Ghost Festival, Novato,
California, by Russell Lee, May 1942,
Library of Congress LC-USW3-003278).
Take time in October to honor your
ancestry: Do you continue any of your
family’s cultural traditions today?
Visit your local history museums to find out more about Novato’s STORIES!
Novato History Museum
815 DeLong Avenue
(415) 897-4320
www.novato.org/museum
Hamilton Field History Museum
555 Hangar Avenue
(415) 382-8614
www.novato.org/museum
Museum hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 12-4PM.
The History Museums of Novato are joint projects of the Novato Historical Guild and the City of Novato. Help support
the preservation of Novato & Hamilton Field’s unique histories by joining the Novato Historical Guild. Call or visit either
of the museums for more information, or to volunteer!
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Winter/Spring Guide available mid November