The Peña Adobe Historical Society volunteers celebrated “Western Day at the Adobe” on Saturday, November 1st with 135 park visitors and guests.  We welcomed our guests, the Congressional Gunfighters of America and the American Historical Brass Band Society! 

The Gunfighters performed two dramatizations of what could have happened back in 1849 at the Peña Adobe.  Under the direction of Eric Lientz, a few of the Gunfighters also gave a talk and demonstration of the safety of firearms and black powder guns used in their skits.  The American Historical Brass Band Society led by Eric Totman, played music from the 1840’s when the Peñas and Vacas arrived and built their adobes, they did not perform tunes written and performed in the 1860’s and beyond.  Each band member played museum quality and rare 150+ year old brass instruments forming a period correct Brass Band.  During our three hour open house event the band performed for 20 minutes every hour for park visitors.

When visitors weren’t enjoying the performers, they watched Blacksmiths Paul Corning and Joe Hoberg as they forged metal on an antique blacksmith’s anvil.  Other guests included local authors Lee Martin and Ron Jackson Jr., the Solano County Master Gardeners and the Solano Constitution Discussion Group.

Tours of the former home of the Peña family were conducted by 5th generation Peña descendants, Darlene Stewart and Kim Clary.  Native American docents Armando Perez chatted with visitors in the Mowers-Goheen Museum and James Tunstall shared his talent for flint knapping and Native American musical instruments and docent Greg Schwei portraying Willis Linn Jepson led three nature walks.

Kiddies (& a few adults!) panned for gold and everyone enjoyed a hot dog lunch before saying goodbye as we closed our open house event season for the year.  We will return in the spring with our annual “Kids Day at the Adobe” on Saturday April 4, 2026.