Press Room

March3, 2004, Napa, California - The Historic Napa Mill and Napa River Inn will celebrate the 120th birthday of the Hatt Building on May 22,2004 with a historic day benefiting Napa County Landmarks. "A Day of History at the Historic Napa Mill" will include exhibits, music, historic tours, food and drink.

Attendees are invited to bring old photographs of the Hatt Building to be scanned for inclusion in a commemorative celebrating the historic property. Awards will be given for most unusual photographs representative of the property, best period costume and a historic treasure hunt. Former patrons of the Historic Napa Mill are invited to participate in a "living history" in which they will be interviewed and recorded on video.

Veteran combat pilot, Lt. William W. Murphy, will be honored for his heroic efforts in 1944 when he guided his crashing aircraft into the Napa River just outside the Hatt Building. He lost his life in his efforts to direct the out-of-control plane away from the downtown business district.

Memorabilia and modern items will be collected for a time capsule to be opened on the 200th anniversary of the property. The late 1800's will be celebrated with antique cars and tractors, horse-drawn carriages, docents in costume, historic tours, food, wine, music and entertainment.

Napa County Landmarks, celebrating its 30th birthday this year, is a county-wide non-profit historic preservation organization, promoting the saving and appreciation of irreplaceable historic buildings and sites, providing educational programs, public policy advocacy, direct technical assistance and protecting a living record of the past for future generations.

For more information, contact the Napa River Inn at 707.251.8500.