“A Building’s Journey: History of 2325 Pacific Avenue”

Talk with Dennis Evanosky

Dennis Evanosky is an award-winning East Bay historian and Editor of the Alameda Post. He has been presenting walking tours in Alameda since 2022.

The Buddhist Temple began life as home to William T. S. Ryer and his wife, Mary Jane. Local historian Dennis Evanosky will share the history of the building that houses the temple. Before the Ryers arrived, Thomas Smith’s home stood on the property. Dennis will relate the story of the Smith brothers—Thomas and Eliphalet Minor, “E. Minor”–who offered space above their business “Smith’s Hall” on Park Street to Alameda as a place for its first library.

He will also tell us about the Ryer brothers—William and Washington. He will describe how William and Mary Jane first moved into Thomas Smith’s home and swept that home away to build their dwelling that stands today as the temple. He’ll also share just how revolutionary the building’s style was . After Mary Jane’s death in 1908, Edward Taylor purchased the home as an investment property. In 1914 he rented space to the Buddhist community and sold the building to them five years later.

Dennis will recount what happened to the building during World War II and how the Buddhists recovered their temple after the war.

July – September

Chris Shinya Tomine Art Exhibit (details to follow)
National Japanese American Historical Society, Japantown
1684 Post St. San Francisco, CA 94115

This exhibit will showcase a retrospective of the 20 years of Bazaar and Obon posters that Chris created for BTOA along with some of his personal artwork.