Lodi, CA – The San Joaquin County Historical Museum is set to embark on an ambitious project that will transport visitors back to the 19th century, thanks to a significant financial boost. The museum has secured $1.6 million in funding for the construction of Pioneer Village, a development aimed at enhancing historical education and experience.
The project funding includes $600,000 raised by the museum and an additional $1 million from the estate of Sheila Wishek, a former Lodi resident who recently passed away in San Francisco. Wishek’s contribution to the museum was part of a larger charitable act that benefitted multiple organizations in the Lodi area.
Philip Merlo, the museum's executive director, expressed his gratitude, noting, “She left us $1 million in her estate, which was a substantial life-sustaining gift for us.” The museum plans to break ground on the Pioneer Village in September, with completion expected by June 2025.
Pioneer Village will be located in the northern area of the museum’s campus at Micke Grove Regional Park and will include several new structures such as a blacksmith shop, a farm/loafing shed, a cookshack, a print shop, and a tannery/harness shop. The project also entails the remodeling of the facade and northern half of the Hammer Building and improvements to make the area ADA-compliant.
In a related development, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved $20,000 of District 4 funding for PALS Haven. The funds will support low-cost spay and neuter surgeries and reduced adoption fees. Supervisor Steve Ding highlighted a personal story to underscore the importance of such services, relating how a late-night call to assist a neighbor with her escaped husky emphasized the need for responsible pet care.
PALS Haven has been a staple in the Lodi community since 2004, providing vital adoption, sheltering, and veterinary services. The additional funding is set to help maintain affordable services for the community, addressing the ongoing need for veterinary care and staff at their facilities.
With these developments, San Joaquin County continues to show its commitment to both cultural heritage and community well-being through supportive projects and funding.