On Thursday, March 11, the Mariposa Museum and History Center will host “History Alive!” an introductory event for the Mariposa County Arts Council’s, 23rd Annual Mariposa Storytelling Festival, March 12 to 14. More than a dozen exhibits will come to life as museum volunteers adopt the roles of real Mariposa characters from days gone by; telling the stories which cemented their place in history.

Enjoy the company of Jessie Benton Fremont as she tells of life with her husband John, the “Pathfinder,” and then meet Quartz Johnson as he returns from one of his many gold claims. Ask Lucy Hite about life during the Gold Rush from the perspective of a Miwok Indian woman, and let Miss Jenny Gagliardo show you the wares in her Hornitos store. Mrs. Counts will describe early town life as she does housework in her original 1863-built home. Listen, as infamous deputy Punch Choisser, the “outlaw lawman” relates his long and convoluted dealings with the law. Talk current events of the 1800s with James Lawrence, editor/proprietor of the Mariposa Free Press. Visit with many more of Mariposa County’s historically significant citizens as they mill about the Museum and History Center grounds, during three separate performances at 6, 7, and 8 p.m.

To purchase “History Alive!” and Mariposa Storytelling Festival tickets, contact the Mariposa County Arts Council at 966-2555 or (800) 903-9936.

For more information or to download a brochure, visit: www.arts-mariposa.org or www.mariposamus- eum.com.