"The Impossible Dream," script by Helen Shropshire

The Vivian Obern Papers cover the efforts made by organizers and participants to recreate the expedition by Juan Bautista de Anza and his party of 240 settlers from northern Mexico to northern California in 1776. The first reenactment took place during the American Bicentennial in 1976. Vie Obern was instrumental in organizing riders from Santa Barbara to ride in the event, and she corresponded with many landowners to obtain permission for the riders to pass through properties up and down the state. Documentation on the establishment of the Anza National Historic Trail, authorized by Congress in 1990 is also covered. In her role as corresponding secretary for the Santa Barbara County Trails Council, Obern was involved in efforts to establish and maintain recreational trails throughout the county and California. Obern also served for five years on the California Recreational Trails committee. Materials include correspondence, clippings, photographs, audio tapes, and publications about the various events and organizations associated with Anza.