We hope everyone is continuing to go to Partners in Preservation (http://www.partnersinpreservation.com) to vote for Richmond’s Maritime Child Care Center every day, and now you will have a chance to visit it at an Open House on Sunday, October 15, 2006, 1:00 - 4:00 PM. The address is 1014 Florida Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804-2420. View Map

Built during World War II as a nursery school for the children of Kaiser Shipyard's female employees, this was the first publicly funded U.S. childcare center. The plan is to rehabilitate the building as a historical interpretive center for Rosie the Riveter WW II Home Front National Historical Park.

The Maritime Child Care Center will be open as a part of the 25 Partners in Preservation sites. For one afternoon only, the sites will have staff and volunteers on hand to share the history of the site, discuss the pressing preservation needs, and perhaps make a pitch for your vote! Come out and enjoy the afternoon discovering a landmark you've never visited or showing your support for a place that's special to you.

No reservations are necessary.

I will be there as will National Park Service Rangers with various artifacts and exhibits, including artwork from children who attended the Maritime Center during WW II.