A crowd of 65 people gathered at the Museum of History Benicia's Stone Hall last Saturday to celebrate a unique piece of the city's artistic heritage: the Granizo First Street Tile Project. The free event, titled "Granizo Tiles: The Art Beneath Our Feet," was co-sponsored by the Benicia Historical Society and the Museum of History Benicia.

The event delved into the origins of the beautiful tiles that grace Benicia's downtown sidewalks. Attendees were treated to a special video and Q&A session with Ron Wagner, the son of the project's artist, who shared insights into his father's life and work. Former Mayor Jerry Hayes was also on hand to recount the fascinating story of how the Granizo tile project came to be. Dr. Kerry Carney shared her research journey into the project and announced an exciting upcoming event for the public.

The Benicia Historical Society will host a follow-up semi-guided tour of the tiles on First Street on Saturday, August 16, from 1-3 p.m. This unique tour will feature docents stationed at tile locations, ready to share more information and answer questions about the art and the city's history. The public is invited to join the tour at any tile location between F and Military and the tour is free of charge.

The Benicia Historical Society is also seeking volunteers to act as docents for the tour. No previous knowledge is necessary—just an enthusiasm for Benicia's history. Those interested in volunteering can sign up here: https://forms.gle/KTeWThDbsGRw4MoL6