The Elk Grove Historical Society is an all volunteer non-profit organization. The board consists of six elected positions voted on by the membership (350+) in November of each year and three appointed positions by those six. All are society members who have stepped up to a bigger role. Here is a small synopsis of each board member’s history and interests.
PRESIDENT – Bret Bartholomew
Bret Bartholomew is a seventh-generation resident of the Elk Grove area, deeply committed to preserving local history and fostering community connections. As a dedicated community leader and volunteer, Bret is involved with numerous local organizations, including the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce and the Cosumnes Community Services District’s Partners for Parks program. He also oversees community relations at Bartholomew Family Vineyards, home to Christopher Cellars.
With a background in community outreach, brand marketing, and event management, Bret brings a wealth of experience to his role in supporting the Elk Grove Historical Society. He is passionate about preserving Elk Grove’s heritage while promoting the city’s rich history through engaging events and activities. Bret’s dedication makes him an invaluable asset to the Society’s mission of connecting residents to the stories and legacy of the area.
First Vice President – Michael Vargas
Michael Vargas earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California in 2008, a graduate degree from the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education in 2010, and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2013. Michael is a member of the Elk Grove Unified Board of Education in California, representing Trustee Area 2. He assumed office on December 9, 2022, and his term runs through to December 11, 2026. He specializes in multi-million dollar corporate finance transactions, mergers, and acquisitions. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Santa Clara University School of Law, where he teaches courses in business law, business organizations, corporate law, corporate transactions, and startup law. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, where he teaches employment and civil rights law. Michael enjoys serving the community and often volunteers for the Historical Society for their many fundraisers. He thinks he can contribute even more to the society as a board member.
SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT – Barbara Claire
I moved to Elk Grove in 1994 and became a member of the Historical Society in 2008. Since joining I have held the following positions: Currently the Assistant Treasurer, formerly an Assistant Archivist, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Publisher, 1st Vice President and President. I have also been a frequent room decorator and responsible for many historical displays in the ballroom, as well as decorator for the Spring Tea several times. As Publisher, I was co-author on the cookbook, “Tasty Memories”, the historical publications of “Jared Dixon Sheldon & William Henry Daylor, California Pioneers”, and “Alexander Hamilton Willard & The Lewis & Clark Expedition”. I created the Historical Society website and Facebook page. I also created our online store, Heritage Park Treasurers and ran the store for a while, plus I was instrumental in setting up our system to take credit cards. I have also created programs and flyers for many events.
I retired from the University of California in 2014 after 30 years of service. I held the position of Administrator for the Violence Prevention Research Program with a payroll title of Analyst IV.
SECRETARY, RECORDING – Pam Phelps
“I have been an active member of the Elk Grove Historical Society for many years participating as a docent, decorating for both Halloween and Christmas, and supporting many of our fundraising events. My twenty-three years as a bi-lingual teacher afforded me not only the rewards of educating students, but allowed me the opportunity to team with other educators – both those I worked with as well as CSUS professors- to develop a Spanish-English immersion K-8 school in the Sacramento area. I served on the Board of Language Academy representing staff for two 3-year terms. During this tenure I held the offices of Treasurer and Secretary. I also sat on the Finance Committee for the fifteen years I worked at the school. I retired two years ago. I look forward to continuing my involvement with the Elk Grove Historical Society and participating in its governance. Thank you for this opportunity.”
SECRETARY, CORRESPONDING – Cindy Mahon
I have spent most of my adult life as a ranch wife with my husband Tom whose family owns the Mahon Ranch here in Elk Grove. My duties range from coordination calf branding lunches for the workers and vaccinating cattle to assisting with the myriad activities it takes to keep a large ranch running – all history lessons in themselves. My career as a volunteer started when my kids were in school, which over the years included responsibilities of being a Teachers Aid, fundraising , managing finances, recruiting other volunteers and workers with 4H and FFA projects through my son’s high school years. I finally had time to volunteer as a docent for the Elk Grove Historical Society over the last few years and am now involved with the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation. Their goal is historical preservation is a perfect combo with a position on the historical society Board of Directors.
TREASURER – Jeanette Lawson
FACILITIES MANAGER – Dave Chalmers
“I was born in Sacramento, California in January 1957. We lived on Pistachio Orchard Ranch on Bond Road. In 1962 the house burned, so we moved to our other 33-acre property on Grant Line Road and built a house. It was a small dairy. I helped with milking, but also worked for the Mitchell Turkey Farm and Hay Market. I graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1975. I went to Cosumnes River College for 2 years, then married Angela Lewis 1980. In 1983 we put a mobile home on the property. I became a union carpenter and worked at Rancho Seco for 5 years and SMUD’s hydro system at Fresh Pond. I worked construction for a few years. Went to work for Sacramento County in 1998, retiring in 2017. I have one brother Charlie, and one sister Cindy (she passed in 2013). I have one daughter Melissa born May 1984 and one son Justin born March 1987. My grandson is Mac. When my kids got into 4-H, I became a leader for Sheldon 4-H for about 14 years. I think it is important to gather history from the area. I enjoy using my ranching skills and helping on the grounds of the museum and at their various activities.”
RHOADS SCHOOL DIRECTOR – Roberta Tanner
“My father was in the Air Force, so we moved regularly when I was growing up. My family moved to San Bernardino where my dad was stationed having just finished a tour in Germany when I was born so I am a native Californian! My husband Bryce and I met at the University of Utah and have been married for 42 years. I graduated in accounting and passed the CPA exam and moved immediately to Michigan for his internship and residency training in Emergency Medicine. His employment at Kaiser brought us to this area. We raised 6 children in the Elk Grove area and have been very happy. I have been PTA President twice at 2 different elementary schools. As a result, I was invited to be on the EGUSD School Naming Committee. It was an amazing opportunity to learn Elk Grove history from some of the founding families–Morse, Waegell, Fite, Signorotti, and others, and especially from Elizabeth Pinkerton who headed the committee. Soon after my committee experience, I became involved in the Sloughhouse Pioneer Cemetery which is owned by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. A friend of mine from DUP was a docent at Rhoads School and suggested I get involved with that program as I was telling the story of the school in the cemetery tours. I have been a docent at the school since 2008 and became director in 2016 when Sharon Baker retired. I became a member of the EG Historical Society and have loved making so many new friends as I’ve served on the board. I also currently serve as the northern California regional representative for DUP, have joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and serve on the California Pioneer Heritage Foundation board. Besides telling stories, I love to sew and make quilts for my grandchildren. I love to travel and visit my children and 13 grandchildren in Boston, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and Utah. I collect antique clothing, especially hats, and furniture and love to sing! I have always loved family history and, since my involvement with the cemetery, became involved in the family history of those buried there. I have enjoyed getting to know those families and sharing their amazing pioneering stories as they settled this area.”
WEBMASTER – Louis Silveira
Louis was born in Woodland, California in 1949. His dad brought his dairy to Elk Grove in 1951 for three years, then they moved to Galt for two more. His Dad gave up the dairy business and returned to Elk Grove where he bought a 40-acre ranch. Louis grew up where the family mostly raised hay. They brought 6-8 cows and had a couple of horses, dogs and later chickens. His Dad drove heavy construction equipment, built many freeways through Sacramento and worked on several Dam projects. After high school, Louis joined the Navy for 4 years. He became a Hospital Corpsmen (medic), specialized in the operation room and later research. Louis developed a micro-surgical procedure and did stress studies for which he received a grant and was included in One of The Most Outstanding Americans in 1972 for his research. Louis continued his education in Medical School and graduating from a nursing program. Louis went on to develop the Laser Center and Mobile Laser Service at Mercy General Hospital for 15 years. He was then hired as the Resource Nurse and Team Leader for Orthopedics at the UC Davis Medical Center and Medical School in Sacramento, retiring in 2013 after 40 years in nursing. He searched to find someplace to volunteer. –Help is what nurses do! His plan was to just erect tents, collect money for events, clean up, fold chairs, etc.—no more management! Louis loves Elk Grove and the EGHS (historical society). It seemed the perfect fit to help others. Louis became the Stage Stop Gazette Newsletter Editor (layout & design), the Webmaster, the Archivist, the Assistant Director and Scheduler of Rhoads School. He scheduled 80 living history classes yearly, taught by several schoolmarms, and assisted with any needed society activities. Louis feels history teaches lessons, helping to root a community, while gathering and protecting its preservation. The philosophy of “all-vital to Elk Grove” is much to be proud while feeling a small part of it all!
These are the voting members of the Elk Grove Historical Society Board of Directors, but like any organization, they are only as good as the people who surround then. Fortunately for us, there are many chairpersons of committee’s and fundraiser’s and many, many volunteers that allow us to exist and continue our mission of preserving and promoting history in our community.
We always need volunteers, sometimes, just for the simplest of tasks or more as your interests increase. We employ you to give us a call and share in the fun of participation and realize how much you can affect your community.