MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The family history of District 1 Supervisor Jose (Moke) Simon III, who is also tribal chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, will be the featured Founding Family during February at Middletown’s Gibson Museum & Cultural Center.

The exhibit will open Friday, Feb. 1, with Supervisor Simon, his aunt Millie Simon (who is a board member for the Friends of Gibson Museum) and other family members on hand to take questions at the opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m.

Gibson Museum is regularly open to the public, free of charge, from noon to 4 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Simon family is descended from the thousands of American Indians who lived in this area before the onslaught of Western immigration so dramatically reduced their numbers.

Most surviving natives refer to themselves as Pomo, the dominant population in Lake County. In south Lake County, native lineage may also include Lake Miwok, Wappo and Wintun cultures.

The Middletown Rancheria was established with five native families around 1910. In 1958, the Bureau of Indian Affairs authorized 18 adult members of the Middletown tribe to vote on the distribution of property to residents. Six of those carried the Simon surname.

The Simon family manages the popular Mt. St. Helena Brewery which is owned by the Middletown Rancheria tribe.

Long-time residents of the area fondly remember Luke Simon who – then known as “the Indian Chief” – was active in local affairs. Following an unsuccessful run for a position on the local school board, Luke Simon rallied rancheria residents to enter a float in the 1961 Middletown Days parade and it won first prize.

His son Marcel succeeded him as tribal leader after Luke retired when age affected him in the early 1990s, and the title was officially changed to tribal chairman. Luke Simon’s son Larry spent many months convincing both Middletown and Rancheria residents they should promote a tribal casino and interacted with gaming officials to make it happen. It has proven to be even more of a benefit to the community than promised.

Many locals know of the unbounded contributions made, past and present, by a host of Simon family members, including Moke, to Middletown High School sports, particularly football.

The museum exhibit of Simon family memorabilia, photos and artifacts will be on display through Feb. 28.

Gibson Museum & Cultural Center is located on Calistoga Road at the corner of Callayomi, opposite Community Park.

For more information see www.friendsofgibson.com, or call 800-809-8009 during the museum’s open hours.