For James Newland, history is more than just lists of facts and figures. It is a way to rally a community. That’s why he has spent many tireless hours working on preserving and understanding public history — both on and off the job.

“The more we know about the history of a community, the more it helps people appreciate it, and the more they appreciate it, the more they work to preserve and improve it,” says Newland, a Rolando resident. “History is about why people are the way they are and about understanding the world around us.”

The 36-year-old Newland is a senior staff member at the Southern Service Center for the California Department of State Parks and Recreation, which is comprised of six districts and 87 park units. In his position, he provides cultural resource management expertise for projects, environmental reviews, historic preservation, park planning and department-wide policy development and training.

Recent special projects include the interpretive center at the Old Town State Historic Park and the restoration of the historic Pio Pico Adobe in Whittier.

But Newland’s passion for historic research and preservation doesn’t stop at the office door. He also is the historian for the Rolando Community Center, secretary of the Salvation Army’s Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center Advisory Council, adviser for the restoration of the Old Fire Station No. 10 Community Center in the College area and adviser to the College Neighborhoods Community and Economic Development Programs. For his community efforts, Newland received the Council District 7 Community Service Appreciation Award.

While some historians merely love the research, Newland believes the real value of historical knowledge is in sharing it.

— Patricia Morris Buckley