In honor of the 168th birthday of San Mateo County, the Historical Association will hold the fourth annual “Happy San Mateo County Day.” The theme of this year’s birthday party is the 1940s. The event will feature craft activities and games of the era.
Hands-On Activities
Celebrate San Mateo County’s birthday with crafts related to the 1950s!
- Create your own produce for a Victory Garden
- Design your own rodeo buckle for the Cow Palace
- Build your own ship for Western Pipe & Steel
- Make a Howdy Doody figure
- Enjoy a birthday treat (while supplies last)
- And more!
Activity Book
Partygoers will receive the new children’s activity book, Discover San Mateo County in the 1940s.
Click here for an online version of Discover San Mateo County in the 1850s.
Click here for an online version of Discover San Mateo County in the 1900s.
Click here for an online version of Discover San Mateo County in the 1910s.
Click here for an online version of Discover San Mateo County in the 1950s.
Victory Gardens
Communities in San Mateo County started their own gardens in the 1940s to reduce the demand on national agriculture. People grew all sorts of fruits and vegetables. Make your own tomato or melon out of paper.
Materials
- Tomato Template or Melon Template
- Scissors
- Crayons
- Hole Punch
- Brass Fasteners
- Green Pipe Cleaner
Directions
- Cut out strips of paper along the lines of the template.
- Stack up all of your paper strips.
- Using a hole punch, put a hole through the top of one side of the paper strips.
- Thread a brass fastener through the holes and unfold it so all the strips are secured together.
- Punch a hole through the other end of the paper strips.
- Punch a hole through a star shape (available on tomato template).
- Place the star on top of the paper strips so that the holes all line up.
- Thread a brass fastener through all the holes so that the star is secured on top of the strips. Don’t unfold the fastener yet.
- Use a green pipe cleaner to add a stem. Twist one end of the pipe cleaner around the base of the brass fastener before unfolding it to secure all the pieces of paper together.
- Both ends of the paper strips should be secured with the brass fasteners.
- Carefully pull apart the paper strips so that the fruit unfolds into a 3D object!
- Markers can be used to add details.
Dog Puppet
San Mateo County was home to various military training facilities to prepare troops for combat. Some of these facilities even trained dogs that would serve in World War II as assistants to platoons. Make your own dog puppet. Don’t forget to give your pup an honorable name.
Materials
- Dog Template
- Brown paper lunch bag
- Glue Stick
- Scissors
- Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers
Directions
- Cut out and color the pieces of the template.
- Begin assembling your dog puppet’s head. Glue the mouth piece near the bottom half of the head shape.
- Glue the nose to the mouth piece.
- Glue on 2 eyes to the head shape, above the mouth and nose.
- Gather your ear shapes. Glue the small inner ear on top of the larger outer ear. Repeat so you have 2 ears.
- Apply a strip of glue to the bottom of each ear and secure to the back of the head so your dog has 2 ears sticking up.
- With a brown paper bag flat on the table with the opening facing your chest, apply glue to the folded section at the top (the bottom of the bag). Attach the back of your dog’s head to the glued section of the bag. The rest of the paper bag will serve as your puppet’s body.
- Glue down the chest piece to the paper bag.
- Lift the folded head section away from the rest of the bag. Under the flap, glue down the chin piece.
- Then, glue down the tongue piece overlapping the chin. When you lift the flap of the bag, you should be able to see the dog’s tongue and chin.
- Glue on a star-shaped badge to your puppet’s chest. Write a name on the badge.
- Lastly, place your hand through the opening of the bag. Use your fingers to lift the flap and make your dog puppet move, smile and bark!
Warships
Shipbuilding was one of the biggest industries in San Mateo County during the 1940s. Shipyard workers built steel warships, aircraft carriers and concrete barges for cargo. Build your own model ship by following the steps below.
Materials
- Wood Block (if you don’t have a piece of wood, a small box or piece of cardboard could be used)
- Corks
- Glue Dots or Glue Stick
- Model Magic (or other clay or play dough)
- Paint or markers
- Paper plate or piece of paper (optional)
Directions
- Find wood block to use as the base of your ship.
- Use clay and corks to add details to your ship. Does your ship have a smoke stack? Does your ship have a structure or navigation room on top? Does it have any life rafts? Secure these details with glue dots.
- Place your ship on top of a paper plate (optional).
- Paint your ship with silver paint or a gray marker. Remember, ships from the 1940s were mostly this color because they were built from steel and concrete.
- Let your ship dry completely. You can add a name to the sides of your ship once the paint is dry.
Howdy Doody
Howdy Doody emerged as a beloved puppet on a televised children’s program, The Howdy Doody Show, in 1947. Buffalo Bob was the host of the show and created the Howdy Doody puppet as well as their imaginative western town with other lively characters. Make your own version of Howdy Doody!
Materials
- Howdy Doody Template
- Scissors
- Hole Punch
- Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers
- Brass Fastners
Directions
- Color Howdy Doody. The original puppet wore a red bandana, red boots, blue jeans and a flannel shirt.
- Cut out all the parts of the paper doll.
- Using a hole punch, create a hole anywhere on the template that there is an X.
- Line up the holes so Howdy Doody’s arms and legs can be attached to his torso.
- Using brass fasteners, secure all the parts together.
- You now have your own paper Howdy Doody doll! Move his arms and legs to make him walk, dance and move around.
Belt Buckle
The Cow Palace in Daly City first opened in 1941 as the California State Livestock Pavilion. The Grand National Rodeo is the most popular of events that are still hosted at the Cow Palace today. Belt buckles are traditionally awarded to winners of rodeo competitions, such as bull riding and barrel racing, rather than trophies you might see given out at other sporting events. Customize your very own rodeo belt buckle.
Materials
- Model Magic (or clay or play dough)
- Rolling Pin (a smooth drinking glass would also work)
- Plastic utensils
- Paint
Directions
- Roll out a chunk of Model Magic.
- Cut out an oval shape, approximately 4-5 inches long.
- The extra bits of Model Magic can be used as decorations around the buckle.
- Use the plastic utensils to create patterns in the clay.
- Use paint or markers to color the buckle. In the 1940s, these buckles would be made out of metal.
Scrap Drive Poster
People throughout the country were encouraged to collect material such as paper, clothing, rubber, fat and metal for the war effort. Create a poster to encourage others to collect their scrap material.
Materials
- Letter or Tabloid Piece of Paper
- San Mateo County Scrap Drive pictures
- Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers
- Submission Form
Directions
- Look at the pictures of the San Mateo scrap drive. More information on what scrap materials were used for is on Page 11 of the Discover San Mateo County in the 1940s activity book.
- Create your own poster. You can use letter-size paper or tabloid size paper.
- For a chance to win a prize, fill out the Poster Submission Form and turn it in by May 18 to the San Mateo County History Museum.
