History Alive…Chautauqua

Judith Helton (as Charlotte Mignon)

By Ellen Nichols

   This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Chautauqua programs, presented by the Friends of the Library as part of the Old Miners’ Celebration.  Following tradition, a historical character is featured, and this year we are fortunate to feature Charlotte Mignon (Lotta) Crabtree.

   Lotta’s father came to the Goldmines from New York, seeking his fortune.  In 1853, when Lotta was 6 years old,  he sent for his family and moved to Grass Valley.  A few doors away lived the Countess Landsfeldt, who began teaching Lotta to sing and dance and Lotta soon became a child performer in the gold fields.

   The Crabtree Family moved to San Francisco when she was 9 and by 12 she was known as “Miss Lotta, the San Francisco Favorite”.  She invested her earnings and at age 22 purchased San Francisco real estate to begin a fortune valued at $4 million at the time of her death in 1924.

   The part of Lotta will be portrayed by Judith Helton, famous for her one-woman shows, each relating to an actual historic figure. Her performances number in the thousands for both adult and student audiences. In 1996 she won a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Professional Artists in Schools. Her programs are currently on the rosters of the Los Angeles Music Center and the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

   Her portrayal of “Lotta Crabtree: Diamond in the Gold Rush” is among her best known shows. This program has been performed at the first theater in Monterey and in the town of Rough and Ready where Lotta began her career at age 6.  Ms. Helton has also performed at the Wells Fargo History Museums in San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles.

   The event, celebrating the spirit of the Old Miners Celebration, will be held on July 23 at 7:00 p.m.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Big Bear Valley Library, it will be performed at the Summit Christian Fellowship Church across the street from the Library, with a reception following at the Library,  41930 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake, telephone  909-866-5571.

   This is a community service program, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, and there is no charge for admission.  Reservations are not necessary.

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