When you think about going on a trip, one of the things that we all get excited about is learning a bit about where we are going. Even if we have been to this place multiple times, there always can be something new that we learn. It can be a new activity, restaurant, or something historical that can give you a glimpse into the past. The last example is what we will be focusing on today. Here in Mendocino, we have such a rich history that we love sharing it with everyone. We at Sea Rock Inn always suggest going to the Kelley House Museum any time you want to take a step back in time. Let’s have a look at how you can spend a fun few hours at the Kelley House Museum.
About the Kelley House Museum
The Kelley House Museum is located in the heart of Mendocino, amongst shops, art galleries and restaurants. The museum is open Friday through Monday from 11 am to 3 pm and it sits on an acre of gardens that also has a pond. They have only one mission, and it is upheld wonderfully, to collect, preserve, protect and share the rich history of the Mendocino Coast.
Exhibits at the Kelley House Museum
As with any museum, they have permanent and rotating exhibits. Their permanent exhibits consist of the Frolic shipwreck, and two photo exhibits. The Frolic shipwreck is a story about a Clipper from China that was headed to our nearby San Francisco in the 1850’s, and in time for the gold rush. The story is very fascinating and you will be able to see artifacts from the ship.
The first of the two photo exhibits are a Then and Now piece where they took photos that showed Mendocino in 1902 and 2002. The differences are amazing. The second of the photo exhibits is on that shows the Native Americans that lived here at the time, the Pomo Indians.
The rotating exhibits they have planned for this year are about immigration and farm to table. The immigration exhibit will show records of the earliest people to settle the area and where they came from. What’s amazing is some of their descendants still live in the area today!
In the past, we all know that we got our food from farmers or we grew it ourselves. Come to the Kelley House Museum and see the early Mendocino farmers and what they grew and how they transported it.
Other Kelley House Museum Activities
There are a few other wonderful things that the Kelley House Museum offers to locals and visitors!
- Walking Tours– Tours are every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and are $10. Their expert docents love showing guests the early homes, meeting places, and more.
- Sunday Afternoon With…– This is held every Sunday at 4 pm and is $7. You never know who is going to show up and what they will share with you but it will be informative and fun!
As you can see, there is always something fun happening at the Kelley House Museum. Having a way for locals and visitors to understand and appreciate our past makes Mendocino such a wonderful place to be. The next time you decide to head up the California coast, consider staying with us at Sea Rock Inn. Our lovely B&B has everything you need to make you feel just at home. It starts with our amazing service and then to our rooms. Our rooms are not only fantastic on the inside but also have killer views of the Pacific Ocean. Next is every morning, join everyone for a delicious breakfast to start your day. Contact us today and begin planning your next trip to Mendocino!
Want to learn more about our area? Request your free Vacation Guide today!