Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

Museum April Update
2020-04-22 08:00 - 2020-06-30 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
A Message From Petaluma Museum Association President Clint Gilbert
April 20, 2020
Dear Members,
Catastrophe has been in the media lately in conjunction with the coronavirus. Listening to Krista Tippett recently I was reminded of its meaning; in ancient Greek catastrophe meant the overturning or the uncovering. Certainly, this virus is uncovering many things. Around the world it’s uncovering kindness and generosity, here it’s uncovering things that I forgot I knew how to do; like cleaning the windows and cooking and being quiet and staying home. It’s uncovered backyard bird songs in the morning and evening. And It’s uncovering our physical frailty, and all the holes and gaps as well as our deep and strong connections in the web of our relationships to each other. History indicates that transitions are the hardest, most stressful experiences in life and right now there is a way that we are all, on a global scale, transitioning to a new way. I find that reading poetry and history can be comforting at times like these and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has an interesting collection of personal stories on their website from past pandemics at https://www.cdc.gov/publications/panflu/index.html. For a look at our response to pandemics closer to home (from John Sheehy’s blog ‘petalumahistorian.com‘), please see: https://petalumahistorian.com/petalumas-1918-20-pandemic-battle/
With history in mind I have included a notice at the end of my letter for all of us to participate in documenting your experiences during this uncovering for future generations.

Status
The PHL&M remains shutdown until The City determines it is safe to re-open. In the meantime, Museum staff are planning how to safely and effectively open our permanent collections and research library to the public when we are allowed to do so.

Board Elections
As part of the shutdown we are postponing our board elections as our printing services and mail delivery have been put on hold. Your board is discussing how best to reschedule elections as well and announce the results.

Exhibit Update
Most of the exhibits that were scheduled for this year are now being planned for 2021.
The notable exception is our Suffrage Exhibit which we plan to open at the end of August and run through Election Day in November.
Please find the most current update on the Women’s Suffrage Movement Exhibit Web Page at PetalumaMuseum.com.

Virtual Exhibit
Even while the Museum remains closed did you know that you can experience our 40th Anniversary exhibit on line?
Thanks to Wayne Dunbar of AfterTec Advanced Imaging the exhibit was captured digitally and is available to experience at https://www.petalumamuseum.com
Just scroll down the main page to find: A Story of Civic Pride and Progress.

Membership
We began as a membership organization with the mission “To preserve the unique history of Petaluma and to provide educational and cultural services to the Community”. Your membership is critical at this time as we find our way through this transition to a safer museum and a safer research library.
We hope to reopen by June but in the meantime it’s important that you renew your membership. Without access to our office we are not able to send our regular renewal reminders so please check your membership type and expiration date on your membership card. You can renew online by going to https://www.petalumamuseum.com/join/ and scrolling down to find your membership type. Please consider upgrading your membership level if you can afford to do so.
Your new membership cards and receipts will be printed and mailed once the City lifts the seal on the building and we are allowed to return.

Giving
We miss your participation here in the Museum. The annual Gala fundraiser was postponed at the last minute as were many talks and tours. These were vital ways to stay in touch as well as affording you the opportunity to support your museum financially. If after contributing to those on the front lines of the pandemic, you can afford to contribute, I promise you it is needed and will be well used as we all take the next step on this path towards a better museum, a better city and a better world.

Take good care and stay in touch,
Clint Gilbert
President
Petaluma Museum Association

DOCUMENT THE PANDEMIC IN SONOMA COUNTY, A PRIMARY SOURCE COLLECTION
The Sonoma County Library invites community members to document history through writing, art and other creative expression during the COVID-19, and to donate these items to the library. The materials, representing firsthand experiences by local residents, will become part of a special library collection of primary sources. Once the crisis is resolved and it is safe to bring items to the library, residents will be invited to bring in journals, photos, drawings, letters, scrapbooks and other two-dimensional physical documents that tell the story of life in Sonoma County during this time.
Library staff will catalog a selection of the items into a special collection that can be accessible to future generations of Sonoma County Library visitors.
“Researchers and students will be able to use your work to understand what it was like living in Sonoma County during this challenging time,” said Connie Williams, History Room Librarian at the Petaluma Regional Library. “Your story can be a part of our community’s story.”
As a way to begin, Williams suggests documenting – in writing or in images – your initial reactions to news about the virus and work/school closures, and recording daily experiences, such as what life is like in your neighborhood, how you communicate with others and what has changed.
The library requests that items be no larger than 11” x 17” and can be stored flat. For more information, contact publicservices@sonomalibrary.org.
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Sonoma County Library Director Ann Hammond said, “This is a great way to help our community preserve memories of an important event.”
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Advice from John Murphey of Architectural History Services:
All historians (amateur, academic, public, or otherwise) should be using this downtime to collect documents of this unbelievable, historic event. Important are images of store closure or alternative service signs, community communications and signage, messages on Nextdoor and other social media, emails from the government entities and businesses explaining their policies. I was disappointed to learn that Nextdoor – really the voice of the greater wired community – does not externally archive their posts. All those heart-wrenching messages from the 2017 Fire are lost to the public.

CoronaVirus Updated Information - City of Petaluma
2020-03-20 08:00 - 2020-06-03 17:00 | Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA, United States
Old City Hall Ghost-Photo Artwork by Mary Rowe

CITY OF PETALUMA PARKS AND RECREATION ANNOUNCEMENT
ALL INDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED, AND PROGRAMMING IS SUSPENDED
All City of Petaluma Parks and Recreation facilities are currently closed, with a re-opening date TBD. This includes the Petaluma Community Center, Petaluma Senior Center, Kenilworth Teen Center, Petaluma Swim Center, Cavanagh Pool, and Petaluma Historical Museum.
CITY OF PETALUMA PARKS ARE OPEN, BUT CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS APPLY
Most of Petaluma’s parks have reopened, but certain restrictions still apply. Park amenities that remain closed include public restrooms, playgrounds, dog parks, skate parks, picnic areas, drinking fountains, barbecue areas, and athletic fields. Sport courts are open, but in a limited capacity and not for organized use. Those who use parks must abide by social distancing guidelines, and carry a facial covering with them at all times. More information about the recently amended parks closure order can be found here.
Contact Parks and Recreation staff with any questions or concerns at 707-778-4380 or parksnrec@cityofpetaluma.org.
For more information about the City’s response to the Coronavirus and updates, please visit City of Petaluma Coronavirus Updates and Faqs.

Monthly Board of Directors Meeting
2018-08-13 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA, United States
The monthly Board of Directors meeting held every second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM. Location: 20 4th Street (Please enter through the back door) Public Welcome.
