Robert Demler wants to be a city historian for the ages

Takes over this month for George McHale|

“I don’t really color within the lines,” says Robert Demler, the newly appointed Sonoma city historian. He makes the remark about “coloring” in answer to a question about how he secured the position, which is appointed by a vote of the City Council. In Demler’s case, it began when he learned the position was available, and was presented with an application to fill out and a series of questions to answer.

Instead of filling out the forms like other potential applicants, Demler says he, “copied the questions onto another document and answered them in the form of a two-page essay.”

Not only that, but Demler included “a list of ideas of all the types of things I’d like to make happen in Sonoma as the new City Historian.”

And finally, in answer to the question, “Why do you wish to serve as volunteer City Historian?” Demler answered with short, three bullet-pointed statements. “I love Sonoma. I love history. I have a well-developed personal sense of community service.”

Demler got the job.

Demler was set to officially be appointed volunteer city historian at the Nov. 7 Sonoma City Council meeting, succeeding the previous city historian, George McHale, who stepped down last month just before completing his second four-year term. Demler, who recently resigned his presidency of the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation, says he’s eager to tackle the new job.

Demler’s list of city historian projects includes such things as presenting an annual “State of History” address to the City Council, developing a “Sonoma History” page on the city’s website, and establishing a group to help update school curriculum devoted to Sonoma history and architecture.

“I’ve been told it’s an ambitious list of ideas, and I suppose it is,” Demler says. “But I’m not intimidated by hard work. I’ve been around the block a few times – or in this case, I suppose I should say, I’ve been around the Plaza.”

Demler graduated from the University of Texas, having majored in history and minored in business. He ended up entering the world of banking and business, following a short stint as an Episcopal seminarian, a pursuit he dropped about halfway to completion.

“Remember what I said about not coloring within the lines?” he laughs.

He eventually became an international banking expert, working with the World Bank in Algeria.

“I lived there as the U.S. Treasury Advisor, with diplomatic status, for four years,” he says. “I live in Sonoma now, but I still go to Algeria four times a year, for two or three weeks each. I like to stay busy, and as long as the World Bank wants me to go, I’ll keep going.”

For 15 years, Demler and his wife, Leslie, owned the old adobe that stands behind the El Dorado Hotel. They lived there in the adobe, working hard to keep the historic residence in good shape.

“It was a good run, and we had a wonderful time living there,” Demler says. “But old houses don’t need old people take care of them. They need young people. So we down-sized, moved into a condo and we’re happy.”

Asked how common it is for a city to have its own historian, Demler chuckles.

“Well, it’s not uncommon, and yet it’s not common either,” he says. “Many cities have them, but most cities don’t. A city like Sonoma needs one, though, because there’s so much history here. I can’t say it’s the most historic town in California, because San Diego still exists. But it’s close.”

That said, Demler argues that Spain Street is possibly the most historic single street in all of California.

“I think I could make that case, yes,” he says, “because of all the events that took place there, and all the people who’ve lived there. And also because of all the historic structures that stand along that street – the Barracks, the Mission, the Blue Wing, the Swiss Hotel, my old house. It’s an amazing street, I think, and historically, it’s a very important street, too.”

For the last few years, in fact, Demler has owned the website domain name spainstreet.com, though he admits he has yet to do anything with it.

“Maybe now I have a good reason to get that going again,” he says. “It’s exactly the kind of thing a modern historian should be doing. I think I’m going to enjoy this position. I’m really very exited.”

Email David at david.templeton@sonomanews.com.

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