# Bertha Newberry

Bertha Newberry (May 24, 1874 – January 10, 1934) was an American playwright, poet, and longtime resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.

## Early life

Bertha Newberry was born on May 24, 1874, in Coldwater, Michigan. Her parents were Isaac C. Blair (1837-1899) and Ida Weeks (b. 1852) both from Coldwater. She married Perry Newberry on October 18, 1892, in Coldwater. He called her "the best girl in town."

## Career

They moved into a rundown artist's studio on the fourth floor of the Montgomery Block Building, familiarly referred to as "the Monkey Block." The rent was $6 a month, with no running water, no bath, and shared lavatories at the end of the hall. Bertha wrote poetry, while Perry pursued his career as a reporter and editor for various newspapers, including the San Francisco Examiner and the San Francisco Post. Perry heard about an art colony in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, through conversations at Coppa's Ristorante, a Montgomery Block Italian restaurant owned by Joseph Coppa and Felice "Felix" Piantinada that opened in July 1903 and became popular with San Francisco's Bohemians.In November 1905, Sunset Magazine of San Francisco, published an early poem by Bertha Newberry.
In 1912, Bertha's poetry The Beloved, was selected to be part of Mitchell Kennerley's The Lyric Year One Hundred Poems. This recognition was shared honor with writer George Sterling, as they represented California in this anthology.
In 1922, her husband was elected to the Carmel board of trustees and became the fifth mayor of Carmel. Bertha joined him in numerous spirited battles against the progressive faction, standing by his side as they fought for their shared beliefs and values. Newberry was known for his efforts to "keep Carmel free from tourists," and Keep Carmel off the Map."

### Forest Theater
#### David

The Newberrys were founding members of the Forest Theater Society of Carmel.
Bertha had the role Sarah in the play; Helen MacGowan Cooke took on the role of Michal; Heron was in the title role as David and writer Alice MacGowan as Astar. The play was reviewed in both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and was reported as "a big success."

#### The Toad

Subsequently, Bertha received an invitation to repeat the performance of The Toad with a cast consisting of Carmel residents, at the University of California, Berkeley at the Greek Theater on July 20. Following the success of their show, they were hosted by Frank Powers at his fraternity house, where they were honored and entertained.

#### Jason and the Argonauts

Jason and the Argonauts, written by Bertha Newberry for the Pageant of the Seven Seas, was held on November 18-20, 1913, at the Dreamland Pavilion for the Seamen's Institute. Grace MacGowan Cooke contributed to the Columbus at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella episode, and author Guy Moyston for the Magellan Rounding Horn episode.

## Death

Bertha Newberry suffered from health problems from an early age. On January 10, 1934, she died at the Monterey Hospital following a long illness, at the age of 59. Private funeral services were held by Rev. Austin Chinn, of the Carmel All Saints Church, at Paul's Mortuary in Pacific Grove. Burial was at the Monterey City Cemetery.