Immersive displays feature lumberman Noah Falk’s family, furnishings, photos
ARCATA – Immerse yourself in the world of Arcata lumberman Noah Falk in a special exhibition opening Sunday, May 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Phillips House Museum, Seventh and Union streets, Arcata. Along with a variety of prized artifacts, books and furniture from the demolished Falk Mansion, the opening event will feature appearances by members of the Falk family, including great great nieces Sharon Falk Carlson and Peggy Falk (who will talk on family history) plus several local historians.
Karole Ely, vice chair of the Historical Sites Society of Arcata (HSSA), has transformed the Phillips House Museum’s first floor into a mini-Falk Mansion for the free, year-long exhibition, parts of which are displayed throughout several rooms. Among the artifacts are Falk’s pristine, glass-enclosed dress suit, complete with beaver hat and gold-tipped cane; Mary Falk’s black dress, a chaise lounge; numerous photos of the family, the mansion and the town of Falk; family trees; and even the mansion’s elegant redwood fireplace mantel.
“I’ve really tried to Falk up the place,” Ely said. She offered thanks to those who have donated items to the Falk Exhibition, including the Esther Holmes family, the late Scott Holmes and Jennifer Holmes Cilker. The chaise lounge was donated by Edith Stromberg. The Falk exhibition was inspired by a visit to Phillips House last year by Noah’s great great granddaughter Carol Morse Natinsky of Buda, Texas.
Born in 1836 in Pennsylvania, the enterprising Noah Falk came to California for the Gold Rush and stayed for the timber. He flourished in Humboldt in the late 1800s through the 1920s, and died in 1928 at age 91. A sometime partner of Isaac Minor (who will be featured in a future Phillips House exhibition), the two collaborated on the Dolly Varden and Jolly Giant lumber mills, and competed to become Arcata’s wealthiest man. Falk was noted for his philanthropy and support for community endeavors.
Falk served as president of the Hotel Arcata and Union Water Company of Arcata, directed four banks and drove the first automobile into Arcata in 1903. He founded the River Mill and Lumber Company in the town of Falk, presently located in the Headwaters Forest. He raised his family in the opulently appointed Falk Mansion, which was torn down in 1956 to make way for a Safeway store (now the site of Wildberries Marketplace). Falk, his wife and children are buried in the Falk Mausoleum in Greenwood Cemetery.
The Phillips House Museum is open for free tours Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. (707) 822-4722, arcatahistory.org
