May is National Historic Preservation Month and the city of Petaluma is celebrating. The event is recognized across the county 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.
“The Petaluma Museum Association is delighted to collaborate with the City of Petaluma, the Library, and our local State Historic Park to present a diverse menu of activities to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month. This strong collective effort underscores Petaluma’s commitment to preserving our past while we live in the present,” said the Petaluma Museum Association President, Debbie Countouritos.
Scheduled events include walking tours of historic downtown, heritage homes, local churches, and historic districts. Local historian Katherine Rinehart will present on Petaluma’s Historic Commercial District, and preservation architect, Jerri Nolan, will speak about historic surveying. Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park will host Living History Day, and the Petaluma Regional Library will feature “Petaluma in Images, Then and Now.”
Petaluma has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s, and the city takes pride in preserving its unique character and charm. Petaluma has a vibrant local history museum, a State Historic Park, a Petaluma history room at the local library, and a community supportive of historic preservation.
“Petaluma is a city that recognizes and values the rich history that created the city that we see today. We strive to protect and educate ourselves regarding what makes us a community. We have benefited from beautiful architecture in our residential and downtown business buildings. I see no better way to continue to have a vibrant, caring community today than to preserve, respect, and utilize the legacy of generations of Petalumans who built lives and structures long before us.” said the Mayor of Petaluma, Kevin McDonnell.
“An essential part of what gives Petaluma its unique character and a sense of community is its history. History is conveyed to visitors and residents through its rich and varied collection of architectural treasures. These treasures reflect the character and aspirations of the people responsible for their construction and design and provide a visual timeline of Petaluma’s history,” said Petaluma Historian Katherine Rinehart.
The Petaluma Historical Library and Museum (PHL&M) is a local history museum housed in a historic Carnegie Library building built in 1904. The museum building and artifacts are owned by the City of Petaluma and managed by the Petaluma Museum Association (PMA), a private nonprofit organization.
The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (HCPC) is a five-member body appointed by City Council to promote and preserve the city’s historical, architectural, and cultural resources.
