Annual dinner celebrates those who have lived here more than 50 years

Published on Page 1 of the September 4, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life:

By Marty Cheek

Much like Morgan Hill itself, our city’s annual Founders’ Day Dinner has evolved over the decades since the gala was initiated 44 years ago. Until this year, the dinner was held in November either on or near the date that Morgan Hill was incorporated as a city in 1906. This year, the Morgan Hill Historical Society moved it up on the calendar and will hold it Saturday Sept. 14.

The gala recognizes many of Morgan Hill’s long-time residents – those who have lived here 50 years or longer – by honoring them as “Founders” during the event. More than 200 people usually attend the event and the society welcomes everyone to the dinner who wants to participate in recognizing our long-established citizens.

“Celebrating our history is celebrating those who have made contributions shaping our community into the great place it is today,” said Ellie Weston, president of the historical society. “This annual event lets us acknowledge these people. It’s also a rare opportunity for these ‘Founders’ to get together and catch up on the past year.”

Even though most people think of “founders” as the pioneers that first set the foundation of the community, the historical society has a looser definition, said society vice president Kathy Sullivan.

“A founder is defined as someone who ‘establishes a settlement’ and I suppose this is as good a name as any for those who come before us and pave the way, making life better and allowing others to build upon their legacies,” she said. “We hope to inspire the next generations to ensure that our evolving community continues to be the special place we love.”

The first Founders’ Day Dinner was put on in 1969 by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and was held at the Friendly Inn. Once the gala outgrew that location, the dinner was moved to St. Catherine’s Hall. From there it went to the Buddhist Community Center.

The chamber continued to host the event until the late 1980s when it had to end its involvement due to lack of staff. The Morgan Hill Historical Society took on the role of host because its members felt that the founders should still be honored for their contributions to the community and what better group to do this than the nonprofit organization, said Jennifer Tate, the secretary and past president of the society. The dinner is now held in the Hiram Morgan Hill Room in the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center.

“The Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and share the history of Morgan Hill to inspire a sense of community,” she said. “By honoring our Founders annually, we are constantly reminded that it is people who make this community a worthwhile place in which to live.”

This year the Morgan Hill Historical Society’s board of directors decided to move the date up to September when there is more daylight and less chance of bad weather, Tate said, adding that there is also less likelihood of conflicts with all the holiday events we celebrate in Morgan Hill.

The Society hopes to continue honoring the Founders and would like to invite their sons, daughters and grandchildren to join the Historical Society, Tate said. “Of course, we welcome anyone who loves this community and its history,” she said. “You don’t have to be part of a Founder family. We are excited about our members who have only lived here a short while. Our newest board member has lived here less than three years.”

This year’s Founders Day Dinner will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday Sept. 14, at the Community and Cultural Center.