We were reminded at the Kelley House this past week that a political campaign without rancor would be a rare thing indeed. The 1934 race for the office of California’s governor provides one example. The Republican candidate was Frank Merriam. The Democratic candidate had been a member of the Socialist Party and was nationally known as the author of “The Jungle” -- the horrific 1906 expose [...]
New characters in the panoply of history come to light at the Kelley House on a regular basis, often due to generous donations of time and materials to the archives and museum. A case in point involves items received as part of a large collection of photographs and other keepsakes from Mae Johnson, who died in August 2016. Mae had been raised in Caspar and knew [...]
Genealogists and history researchers love the discovery of another facet of their search and knowing that there has to be more information out there somewhere fuels their relentless pursuit of more discoveries. Kelley House is a treasure trove of sources for discoveries, particularly in the hundreds of files about Mendocino’s people called Family Files. Most contain newspaper clippings, letters, memoirs, genealogy charts, funeral records, and occasionally [...]
The MacCallum House Restaurant is hosting a benefit for the Kelley House Museum on Wednesday evening, October 10. The Dine-Out Night begins at 5:00 p.m. in the bar and continues with dinner in the restaurant from 5:30-8:00 p.m.. All proceeds from both the bar and restaurant go to our non-profit history museum. Reservations for dinner are suggested and can be made by calling 707-937-0289, or online [...]
On Monday, October 8, the Kelley House Museum is hosting the Second Annual MARTHA WAGNER Service Day . . . when volunteers pitch in and help out with minor repairs, painting and gardening at the 1861 historic house and grounds. The late Martha Wagner was a steadfast benefactor of the Kelley House who was passionate about the garden. Tom Sawyer's friend Martha Buck at [...]
Members of the Kelley House Museum are invited to attend a Preview Party on Thursday, September 6, for the Autumn Exhibit, "Outlaws of the 20th Century: Rum Runners and Pot Farmers." Stop by and enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres and re-visit the underground economy of the last century. The remote and rugged Mendocino terrain made it an ideal place to smuggle alcohol during the 1920s, and [...]
What better way to celebrate Bastille Day than with a glass of wine and a trip through time! Stop by the Kelley House Museum this Saturday evening before the Music Festival and enjoy "Dad's Red" or "It's My Fault" white wine, compliments of Pacific Star Winery. You will also have the opportunity to visit with Curator Anne Cooper about the history of Mendocino and the Coast. [...]
Somehow, buying gasoline is associated with the summer season. Those of us driving gas-powered vehicles do purchase fuel year round, but the summer months often see an increase in the number of trips to the pump and a consequent rise in prices. Back in the 1930s and ‘40s, one could have bought gas in Mendocino at the S & E Gas Station located on Main Street. [...]