Stories Behind the Structures: Preserving Healdsburg's Hidden History

Historic buildings are more than just a style of architecture. They embody the stories of the people who helped shape Healdsburg. Understanding and preserving these structures gives us a sense of place, which can inspire us to further invest in our community. The Healdsburg Museum’s annual Historic Preservation Awards recognize the efforts of those individuals whose dedication and hard work preserve these historic structures. Visit our new exhibition and our new self-guided tour to experience the Stories behind the Structures and enjoy history beyond the Museum walls.

On exhibit, Thursday July 21, 2022- Sunday January 8, 2023

Open hours: Wednesday- Sunday, 11am– 4pm. Activities for all ages.

Free admission; donation appreciated.

From Diggers Bend to River Rock: People and History of Dry Creek Rancheria

September 30, 2021- May 29, 2022

Dry Creek Rancheria is a place, a California Native people, and a wealth of stories about both. The place is located in inland northern Sonoma County. The Native people are both Dry Creek Pomo and Western Wappo. The stories begin in the long ago time when Animals were People and continue up to today. They are narratives of beauty, tragedy, family, creativity, resistance, and survival: the mundane and the remarkable. We invite you to this exhibit, curated by Dry Creek Pomo historian, Sherrie Smith-Ferri, to hear our stories for yourselves.

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A joint project of the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society and Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, this exhibit includes baskets and other materials from the collections of Dry Creek Rancheria; the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley; Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society; members of Dry Creek Rancheria; tribal members; and many other private lenders.

This exhibit was made possible in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through grant award MN-246021-OMS-20, Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, Healdsburg Tourism Improvement District, Merritt & Pamela Sher Family, Community Foundation Sonoma County, and members of the Healdsburg Museum & Historical Society.

Picturing Healdsburg

February 13, 2020 -August 8, 2021

Images of iconic Healdsburg places as seen through the lens of local photographers; past and present. On display are historic and contemporary photos of the Healdsburg Plaza, Russian River, Fitch Mountain, and more, captured by professional as well as amateur photographers. Antique cameras and photographic equipment from the exceptional collections of Joseph Downing in the 1870s, Mervyn Silberstein in the early 1900s, and Al Loebel in early to mid-century, are also prominently featured.

Wine Roots of Healdsburg

Simi vineyards, 1905

May 23, 2019 to November 10, 2019

Local Wine Agriculture before Prohibition

This exhibition focuses on local wine agriculture before Prohibition, providing timelines of regional wine history, ethnic contributions, labor history, context of other crops and local resistance to Prohibition.

Pomo & Pioneers: Early Healdsburg History

This exhibit highlights examples of local Native American Pomo basketry in the Museum's collection. Pomo basket weavers of the Sonoma County region are recognized as being some of the finest basket makers in the world.

This exhibit also showcases photos and artifacts associated with pioneer Healdsburg settlers, including Henry and Josefa Fitch, Cyrus and Rufina Alexander, Harmon Heald and Col. Lewis Norton.

A Season for Santas

November 23rd - January 6th

See the extensive collection of Santas from the tiny to the towering: framed, fluffy, knitted, whittled, ceramic, motorized, silly, rare and special. Wayne Padd’s model train village will return and the scale model of the Healdsburg Plaza, c. 1900, will be decorated for Christmas.

Mervyn Silberstein: A Photographic Legacy

November 23, 2018 – November 29, 2019

Mervyn Silberstein (1885-1956) was raised in Healdsburg and famous for his photography at the turn of the 20th Century.  The Museum treasures the collection of his negatives.

Healdsburg's Architectural Heritage

“Healdsburg’s Architectural Heritage” 5/3 – 11/11

Watch the video.

Exhibition Description:  The history and character of an area are reflected in its architecture.  Founded in 1857, Healdsburg’s residential development included Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Craftsman, and Neoclassic homes. The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society has honored many local buildings with Historic Preservation Awards since 1996.  This exhibition highlights these historic treasures of Healdsburg architecture and the character-defining elements that exemplify these styles.

Future Farmers of America in Healdsburg

MATHESON LUCE GALLERY (DOWNSTAIRS)

This exhibit highlights the history of agricultural education and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Healdsburg High School. Healdsburg's Future Farmers Country Fair, still held annually in May, was founded by the Healdsburg FFA advisor and students in 1950.

Destination Healdsburg: A History of Tourism

Historical artifacts, stories, and photos from Healdsburg’s tourism history.  Of special interest is a scale architectural replica of West Street (now Healdsburg Avenue) in 1935.  The display, handcrafted over many months by John Lacaillade, will transport you back in time.

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Treasures from the Museum Collection

Treasures From the Museum Collection is a display of items of artistic beauty, skilled craftsmanship and historical merit newly discovered during the consolidation of the Collection in its new storage facility.

Zoom! Toys on the Go

Toys on the Go features toy trains, cars, trucks, bikes, trikes, airplanes, motorcycles and pedal cars from the past 100 years.

School Days Then & Now

School Days Then & Now features area's first one room school house in 1858, the history of education in Healdsburg including the Seventh Day Adventist Church's establishment of Healdsburg College in 1882.  Architectural scale models of school buildings by Jon Lacaillade.

Discover Oak Mound Cemetary

Discover Oak Mound Cemetery shows the progress of the Museum led efforts to restore the Pioneer Section of Oak Mound Cemetery with the history of the pioneers buried there.  The project was completed in 2017 with the rededication of the Leda and Swan Fountain on October 5, 2017.