Garberville, California, September 8, 2023–The Humboldt Area Peoples Archive (HAPA) is proud to announce a ground-breaking partnership with the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. HAPA is a grassroots historical organization committed to preserving the history of counterculture and back-to-the-land in Humboldt. Through this innovative partnership, local history will be tapped as a priceless resource for local businesses and tourism.

“This partnership is an important step toward promoting economic growth and cultural enrichment because of our shared commitment to showcasing the activism, culture, and innovation that have marked Humboldt since the 1960s. By showcasing our history, we hope to attract tourists, encourage small local businesses, and ensure that our community’s legacy endures,” says Yvonne Hendrix, Executive Director of the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

According to Nicole Riggs, Executive Director at HAPA, “We think that our history is more than just a collection of tales from the past; we see it as a vital thread that unites our community and enhances the experiences of those who visit. Back-to-the-landers, hippie innovators and iconoclasts have made their mark on our region, creating the Mateel Community Center, fighting for their 4th Amendment rights, establishing the Redwoods Rural Health Center, writing and performing plays like the Pure Schmint Players’ Vibram Soul or Human Nature Theater’s Queen Salmon, developing solar power, publishing local news, literature and political thought with Star Root, Mulch Gulch and others. Working with the Southern Humboldt Chamber & Visitors Bureau enables us to realize this vision and turn our past into a valuable resource for all.”

The Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is hosting a soft opening of the new exhibits, one on the origins of the Civil Liberties Monitoring Project and Independent Press from the Underground, on Friday, September 15 at 5 p.m. at 782 Redwood Drive in Garberville. Keep an eye out for exciting upcoming events and initiatives that will commemorate Humboldt’s history and make it a destination for visitors and locals.

Contact the following for media inquiries or additional information:
Yvonne Hendrix
Executive Director
Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center
chamber@garberville.org

HAPA is a grassroots historical organization with a mission to preserve, protect, and promote the rare histories of change in Humboldt from the 1960s to now. Through engaging exhibits, educational programs, and preservation efforts, HAPA ensures that our heritage continues to thrive for generations. Learn more at humboldtareaarchive.org

About Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center: Since 1941, the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center has been working to enhance Southern Humboldt’s quality of life & environment by promoting tourism & assisting local businesses to expand and prosper. We are the first Visitor’s Center you come across when entering Humboldt County from the south.

Did you know that in 2018 local VFDs (volunteer fire departments) dedicated well over 100,000 volunteer hours to keep our communities safe?  Their dedication to our communities is amazing.  Many of our local VFDs make do with aging equipment and apparatus; they continue to patch together repairs on deteriorating fire houses; and, it’s a challenge to find, retain and train volunteer fire fighters.  Time and time again these committed individuals help us out of disasters of all shapes and sizes.  Let’s do them a solid; pick a firehouse and send them some monetary love.  Just do it.  Donate today!! It’ll make you feel good and it assures that these VFDs continue to be available to help.  And, if you have it in you, volunteer!!