May is National Historic Preservation Month, and Petaluma is excited to celebrate for the third year. The event is recognized across the country to celebrate each community’s cultural heritage and the importance of preserving local history and historical places. This year, various local organizations are collaborating to provide a month’s worth of events and activities to celebrate Petaluma’s past.
“National Historic Preservation month is the perfect time to think about how we can preserve Petaluma’s vibrant past while also shaping a sustainable, culturally rich future. Along with our partners, we have lined up many exciting programs that build awareness about the people and places that have made Petaluma so special. Our hope is to inspire more conversations about how preservation and adaptive reuse can go hand-in-hand with innovation and progress,” says Stacey Atchley, executive Director of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum.
The first local National Historic Preservation Month event takes place on Wednesday, May 1st, at 6:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum with an in-depth presentation and discussion by urban planner Dan Zack on the adaptive reuse of historic buildings in downtown revitalization efforts.
Other scheduled events include walking tours of historic downtown. In the last two weeks of May, the Petaluma Regional Library History Room librarian, Connie Williams, has teamed up with local historian Katherine Rinehart to organize a Petaluma History Scavenger Hunt.
Join in on May 15th (6:30 pm) at the rehabilitated Carlson-Currier Silk Mill, now operating as Petaluma’s newest “old” hotel—the Hampton Inn—for a lively panel discussion of local tourism organizations on the role of tourism place-keeping and place-making at the state and local levels.
Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park will host Living History Day on May 25th.
Petaluma has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, and the city takes pride in preserving its unique character and charm, its vibrant history museum, a State Historic Park, a Petaluma history room at the local library, and a community supportive of historic preservation.
“In a time when we are all rushing to the newest tech and a time where so much in the world is changing, it is key that we remember where we have been as a means of grounding us. Petaluma celebrates and honors our community's history in the beautiful architecture of our historic residential and commercial buildings. Investments and care in the historic preservation of our legacy structures will be the gift we give to Petalumans of the future,” sas Mayor Kevin McDonnell.
For more information about events, click here for website
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The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum is the Historical Heart of Petaluma. Its mission is to preserve the unique history of Petaluma and provide educational and cultural services to the community. Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4 pm. Admission is free, donations appreciated!
The long wait for news on the city's historic riverfront rail trestle renovation project may be inching closer to a start date in the forseeable future. Applications with shovel ready plans for national funding are the hot topic of conversation in Petaluma's historic circles. The Petaluma Woman's Club, founded in 1895 by a group of civic minded and visionary women, has provided the city with grant writing support and a pledge to fundraise for extras for a public riverfront promenade once construction grants have been secured. Click here to find out more about the Woman's Club's ongoing Time to Trestle efforts.
Click here for a video of Katherine Gregor, spokesperson for Petaluma Woman's Club speaking about the Trestle, this Spring.
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