The author of the latest book on Manteca that relies heavily on historic photos will be at the Manteca Historical Society’s annual holiday open house on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The free open house takes place at the Manteca museum, 600 W. Yosemite Ave., from 1 to 4 p.m. The museum gift shop will feature an array of holiday items for sale.

Melinda Pacheco Patrick is the author of the recently-published book about the history of Manteca that is part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America paperback series.

The book, initially introduced at Authors Alley at the annual Great Valley Bookfest at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley in October, will be for sale. Patrick will be available to autograph the books. The book is included in the City of Manteca centennial year time capsule buried in September at East Union Cemetery.

The 125-page book presents the highlights of Manteca's development, founders and commerce through historic photos with captions on each page.

A graduate of Manteca High, Patrick is a fourth-generation resident and history enthusiast. Also a graduate of California State University, Chico and the University of Leicester, she is an archaeologist by profession. Patrick and her husband Ian live with their three children in Manteca. They also have based their cultural resources management consulting firm, Patrick GIS Group, Inc., in Manteca.