About
El Dorado Gold 1848 (1848) was incorporated on December 28, 2020 to create a Museum to display heritage and enhance future endeavors through education, the preservation of historical buildings and historical artifacts.
1848’s plan is to manage the Old WPA* Post Office located at 515 Main Street, Placerville, for the specific benefit of the El Dorado County/Placerville community, history lovers, and especially children. The Old WPA Post Office building will be developed as a Community Center Museum, housing historical resources and office space for nonprofits.
*WPA: The Works Progress Administration was a massive government program established in 1935 to revitalize the nation’s economy. The WPA was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s sweeping New Deal program enacted in 1933 to help lift the nation out of the Great Depression.
Current Board of Directors
President: Sue Taylor
Vice President: Kris Payne
Treasurer: Mike Ocenosak
Secretary: Jill Kearney
Directors at Large:
Julie Akin Bauer and Nancy Kam
Founding Board
Top, left to right:
Director at Large Jill Kearney, Vice President Kris Payne
Bottom, left to right:
Treasurer Rich Mason, President Fred Ott, Secretary Sue Taylor
Not pictured: Director at Large Julie Akin Bauer.
With great sorrow, the Board of El Dorado Gold 1848 was informed of Uncle Fuzzy’s (Rich Mason) unexpected departure from this life on May 11, 2026. Without Fuzzy, El Dorado Gold 1848 would not have been created. He was instrumental in acquiring the Old Post Office at 515 Main Street and handling the legal paperwork for our non-profit. Even when he resigned from the Board he was in the background cheering us on. With his wife Joyce, he was a defender of El Dorado County’s rich history and cheerleader for gold panning. He created the United States Gold Panning Association and brought the 2016 World Gold Panning Championships to Placerville. It was a stunning event with participants that came from around the world. Fuzzy has had an huge educational impact on the continuing of our rich gold rush history.
Uncle Fuzzy will be greatly missed.
