LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. at Rancho de la Fuente (in The Barn) there will be a lecture/slideshow presentation exploring the unique blend of races, languages and cultures – Spanish, African, Native American – that combined to make early California one of the most diverse societies in North America.

The lecture by Deb Baumann is titled “Californios: Born of Three Cultures.”

Baumann has lectured on this topic for 25 years. She has partnered with the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Santa Ynez Historical Society in past Californio presentations.

"Most people know little or less about this period in our history," said Baumann, "and I guarantee there will be many surprises in this lecture. It was a fascinating time in California, a truly multi-racial society, in many ways more progressive than the society that came after, under US statehood."

Rancho de la Fuente is at 2290 Soda Bay Road south of Lakeport.

Admission is free to this event, but RSVPs are appreciated at 707-275-9234.