Recovering From the Great Depression
On May 8, 2018 Attendees enjoyed a presentation by Gray Brechin, Ph.D., founder of the Living New Deal and former Vice-President of the National New Deal Preservation Association.
Gaye LeBaron, Santa Rosa’s favorite historian, introduced Dr. Brechin and provided opening comments.
Dr. Brechin is a historical geographer and author, who received a BA in History and Geography, an MA in Art History, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of Imperial San Francisco: Urban Power, Earthly Ruin (1999), considered a classic of urban studies. Dr. Brechin regularly lectures around the country about the New Deal legacy. He is President of the Living New Deal non-profit board of directors.
Sonoma County’s New Deal legacy is threatened by the proposed demolition of the former County Hospital on Chanate Road. Dr. Brechin spoke about this important historical resource as well as other Sonoma County landmarks extant and not. He will also discussed the current need for a New Deal approach to managing forests and rangelands and fund public health as we recover from the 2017 fires.
