Celebrating Fort Ross

No need to travel to St. Petersburg or Moscow. Last month, a colorful and delicious celebration took place at the Russian Festival located in the stunning setting of Fort Ross State Historic Park near Jenner, California. Scrumptious and authentic Russian delicacies baked in the original old-style brick oven and hot teas brewed in the Old Russian Samovar were part of the Russian tradition at its best. Visits to the Russian Kedry House were enriched by listening to some beautiful lyrical songs or partaking in a sing-along with the choir attired in the colorful folkloric Russian costumes. An array of arts and crafts such as rope-making and basket-weaving were offered to the visitors and special presentations about celebrations in Russia were shared by local historians.

My introduction to the picturesque little town of Fort Ross was in 2012 when I attended the grand opening of a spectacular exhibit called ‘’The Tsars’ Cabinet’’ at the Sonoma County Art Museum in Santa Rosa. The exhibit illustrated the decorative arts of Russia from the time of Peter the Great in the early 18th century to that of Tsar Nicholas II in the early 20th century. It showcased a selection of alluring porcelain, photographs, royal couture and accessories, enamel, glassware, silver gilt, and decorated eggs. Meeting Andrew Romanoff, the grandnephew of Tsar Nicholas II, at the grand opening of ‘’The Tsars’ Cabinet’’ created the additional excitement of having actual Russian royalty at this special evening of salute to the splendor of porcelain and the decorative arts under the Romanovs.

“It’s a wonderful moment to have all those things being shown here, letting everyone see them,” said Andrew Romanoff. His grandmother and parents escaped in 1918 from the Bolsheviks first to Yalta in Crimea, and later England, where they were given refuge at Windsor Castle and where Andrew was born and grew up. An artist, writer, and photographer, Romanoff came to California in 1970 as a young man. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife Inez Storer, also an artist. Andrew Romanoff and his wife have been great supporters of the museum and loaned some of his family’s photographs, personal heirlooms, and a calling-card case to display in this exhibition.

The Sonoma County Museum was part of a region-wide celebration of Fort Ross which aimed to present an exhibition that would highlight the bicentennial anniversary of Fort Ross and celebrate Russian culture with this amazing collection. Fort Ross is the town where the first Russian settlers came to California’s Sonoma County and which they established as a thriving community and a hub of entrepreneurial activity from 1812 to 1841.

The anniversary of Fort Ross told “the fascinating story of Russians in California, some of the first European influences north of San Francisco,” said Robin Joy, an interpreter at Fort Ross Historic Park. The contrast between the historic buildings of the park, such as a wooden chapel, and the splendid exhibit “was a reminder of the times and how diverse they were: Colony Ross so desolate, isolated people and the struggle for basics and the comparison of the life of the royalty and upper class of Russia, who lived in luxury,” Joy said.

In 2009, the historic Fort Ross state park was in danger of closing due to budget cuts. At the ‘’The Tsars’ Cabinet’’ exhibit’s grand opening, I had a chance to meet Vladimir Vinokurov, the consul general of the Russian Federation in San Francisco, who told me that he was instrumental in approaching the Renova Group, one of Russia’s leading business conglomerates, to set up the Renova Fort Ross Foundation. The foundation helped with the repair and preservation of some of the historic buildings in Fort Ross State Park as well as with allocating funds to ongoing celebrations of the bicentennial history of Fort Ross. “Russian General Consul Vinokurov shares a passion for Fort Ross that many people have,” Joy said. “He brought the Russian Ambassador Honorable Kislyak, to Fort Ross on two occasions. Ambassador Kislyak then went to Russia and encouraged successful business leaders to support Fort Ross. We are grateful to him.” The park has since been removed from the foreclosure list and attracts visitors from throughout the western United States.

For information on the special events, tours and activities visit www.fortross.org or call 707-847-4777.

The Art Museum of Sonoma County presents national and international exhibitions of modern and contemporary art as well as a number of special private collections. Visit www.sonomacountymuseum.org.

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.

By Lina Broydo