The historic house museum is furnished with period furniture from the late 1800s. The three upstairs bedrooms are furnished with items that belonged to the Kelly family or came from the period in which they lived in the house.
Artifacts and interpretive materials from the shipwreck of the Frolic are on permanent exhibit.
“Then and Now” exhibit, comparing scenes photographed approximately 100 years apart, portrays the Mendocino village, its businesses and surroundings. The original photographs, taken by local, amateur photographer Perley Maxwell, were printed by the Mendocino High School photography class in 2002. The students then took modern day digital images of the same location. These revealing images show how things have changed and how some things may never change.
On Exhibit May 1- June 30
The History of Mendocino Coast Clubs and Fraternal Organizations
Ancient Order of Foresters
The Ancient Order of Foresters began in 1834, but its origins are from a 1700s order called the Royal Foresters. It began and continues to operate as a fraternal benefit society, providing financial and emotional care for members and their families.
The Foresters established a branch of their order in Mendocino on July 14, 1894. Today the Ancient Order of Foresters is simply known as Foresters. This organization remains a self-help organization with a long tradition of selling insurance and financial instruments to its members. The closest branch of the Foresters is located in Santa Rosa, CA.
UPEC- Portuguese Union of the State of California
UPEC is a fraternal insurance society that has existed in the state of California since 1880. The original purpose of this union was to gather Portuguese families in order to maintain tradition, culture and language. UPEC now allows everyone to join regardless of their sex or ethnicity.
The objectives of this union are to create unity among members, provide protection through up-to-date insurance and to give charity with justice to those that are in need. Much like the Odd Fellows, UPEC takes charge of the burials of members who have no one to fulfill that need. UPEC came to Mendocino in February of 1889. The local chapter was called the Society Consuelho Luiz de Canoes.
Free and Accepted Masons
The Mason fraternal order dates back to the 1700s. Then, stonemasons of Europe formed local organizations to care for sick and injured colleagues, while providing for the families of deceased stonemasons. The loges established by these early stonemasons became places to socialize and train with other stonemasons and apprentices. The Masons came to Mendocino in October of 1865 and established the Mendocino Lodge. This lodge still exists in Mendocino.
Today the Masons offer members a body of knowledge and a system of ethics. The organization is based upon the idea that each man is responsible for improving himself while also being devoted to his family, community and fraternity. The Masons are open to men 18 to 50 years of age who believe in a supreme being. These minimal standards for membership welcome all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
IDES- Irmandade de Espirito Santo
IDES is another fraternal insurance society. This group originally came together at the request of a local priest in San Jose to plan the 1889 fiesta devoted to the Holy Spirit. The group stayed together and formed the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit in that same year. IDES began as a family benefit program aimed at providing for the widows of deceased members.
On March 27, 1904, the IDES established a council in Mendocino called Consuelo Estrella du Norte. The IDES still operates as a Portuguese society; however, in 1964 membership was opened up to women. The IDES still exists today and provides insurance to its members. There are no longer any councils operating on the Mendocino Coast today.
Improved Order of Red Men
This organization has its roots in the Sons of Liberty, the group responsible for the Boston Tea Party of 1773. After the war of 1812, the Sons of Liberty changed their name to the Society of Red Men. The organization’s name changed again in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men. The Red Men use the customs and terminology of Native Americans, much like their predecessors, the Sons of Liberty.
This order believes in protecting the nation and the democratic way of life that exists in the United States, preserving the traditions and history of this country, and promoting love for this country and its flag. The Red Men came to Mendocino on June 7, 1905, establishing the Waw Bek Tribe. This Red Men tribe no longer exists; however, there is one still in operation in Fort Bragg.
The Rebekah Degree
In 1851, the Odd Fellows created a degree to include women in their order. The Rebekah Degree was founded upon traits of women portrayed in the Bible; specifically hospitality and purity. In addition to these characteristics, the Rebekah Degree is dedicated to uphold the main beliefs of the Odd Fellows order. The Rebekah Degree found its way to the Mendocino Coast on October 22, 1891, when the Far West Rebekah Lodge was established.
The Rebekahs still exist today, despite the fact that the Odd Fellows now allow women into its ranks. Likewise, the Rebekah Degree is no longer made up of only women; many men now belong to the degree. Although the original lodge no longer exists, there is one Rebekah lodge operating in Fort Bragg today.
American Legion
The American Legion came to the Mendocino Coast on June 12, 1950. This organization was chartered by congress in 1919 to promote patriotism and help war-time veterans. Now the American Legion has far-reaching community service programs. In addition to these programs, the Legion helped to create the Department of Veteran Affairs and has helped to pass legislation for the protection of the flag. The Legion also lobbies on behalf of veterans and the armed forces.
Today, member benefits include various discounts, financial services, insurance, and medical assistance. The vision of the Legion is to create a strong American by taking care of veterans, mentoring youth, creating a strong national security, and promoting patriotism and honor.
Mendocino Study Club
The Study Club was formed on October 30, 1908, with the original intent of helping to intellectually and spiritually develop its members through various means. From 1908 until today, the Study Club gradually turned its attention from the sole pursuit of study to a focus on community service. The Study Club has accomplished a great many things that have directly benefited the people of Mendocino.
The ladies of the Study Club are responsible for the first local library in Mendocino and for getting Mendocino to be named a Preserve America Community. Although there are many accomplishments that can be attributed to the Study Club, it is important to realize that these women have come together to improve the lives and environment of the people of Mendocino.
United Ancient Order of the Druids
The Druids came to Fort Bragg as early as 1896. This fraternal brotherhood has been in existence in America since the 1830s, with its origins dating back to 17th century Europe. The members of this organization apply the beliefs and teachings of the ancient druids to their lives in order to establish a moral way of life. This organization is a fraternal benefit society that is not based upon religion, ethnicity or political views.
The all-inclusive nature of the Druids is only limited by their guidelines for membership. These guidelines require all applicants to recognize the supreme power of the universe while also being of unblemished character, mentally and bodily sound, and 18 to 50 years of age. At their most basic goal, the Druids are united to assist one another and all of mankind.
The Improved Order of Odd Fellows
The history of the Odd Fellows dates back to 18th century England. The Odd Fellows originally came together for the mutual aid of each member, offering security in a vulnerable time. The current mission of the order follows the original intent of the Odd Fellows: To visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan.
The Odd Fellows first appeared in Mendocino on November 22, 1872. The Stella Lodge built the first Odd Fellows Hall in 1878 and the second Odd Fellows Hall in 1893 (building was demolished). The Odd Fellows order has moved away from caring solely for members and expanded to encompass community services. In 1939, the Stella Lodge of Mendocino transferred their charter to the Fort Bragg Lodge, which still operates today.