A WOMAN’S PLACE WAS EVERYWHERE

How Working Women Shaped Mendocino

Exhibit Runs October 2, 2025– March 29, 2026

Opening Reception Honoring Local Businesswomen: Saturday, October 11, 4pm – 5:30pm

RSVP

While men wielded the axes that built the town of Mendocino, women built the community that made it last. Look beyond the big trees and lumber mills to discover the vibrant world of “women’s work.” Through their own diaries, photos, and oral histories, this exhibit tells the lesser-known stories of entrepreneurs, nurses, artists, teachers, madams, and philanthropists who laid the foundation for the Mendocino we know today. Discover how their creativity, resilience, and hard work—both paid and unpaid—shaped the legacy of the Mendocino Coast in ways history books often overlook. Nominate your own local heroine, past or present, during your visit. Bring a photo if you have one.

Museum Hours:

October – December: Thurs – Mon, 11am – 3pm
January – March: Fri – Sun, 11am – 3pm

Pick up a copy of From Maidens to Mavericks in the museum or from our online store.