Charlie Spinetta is challenging Amador County history-lovers to match his $10,000 pledge toward building a new Livery Stable Building at the Amador County Museum by Dec. 31, 2024. The new building will become an exciting new attraction at the museum, housing freight and buckboard wagons, carriages and buggies, blacksmithing tools and other historic equipment.

Charlie grew up roaming Jackson’s Main Street in the late forties and fifties (when things were a lot more fun than they are today!). He began a career as a logger in Amador County and later developed Charles Spinetta Winery, a premier grape grower and wine producer in Plymouth’s Shenandoah Valley, boasting ten varietals and a beautiful tasting room featuring amazing wildlife art.

After selling his winery and retiring this year, Charlie has graciously offered his support and opened his wallet toward preserving Amador County’s rich history for locals and visitors at the Amador County Museum operated by the Amador County Historical Society (ACHS).

The new 3600-square-foot Livery Stable Building will be located behind the existing Museum, built in the style of traditional California barns. The building was designed by Leonard Williams, and surveying and engineering have been donated by Toma & Associates and Weatherby, Reynolds & Fritsen. Much of the labor for constructing the new livery is anticipated to be donated by local contractors and Society members. The Historical Society is at about the halfway point in raising the $500,000 needed for construction.

“We have just a few months for our supporters to meet the “Lighten Charlie’s Wallet” challenge to give to the Livery Building fund before the clock runs out,” says ACHS Board President Sue Duncan. “Donations of any amount toward the building fund will be doubled when we meet our goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the year.”