Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society
Yesterday, in honor of our friend Tucker, we visited the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society housed in a handsome old Carnegie Library building not far from the downtown plaza. Tucker had written:
My great-grandfather, Thomas Boone Miller, was born in Healdsburg, CA on 6 January 1859 to Thomas Bell Miller and Mary Ann King. He was a great-great grandson of Hannah Boone (Daniel Boone’s sister). The Millers were early Sonoma County pioneers. Thomas Boone Miller’s wife was Jesse Lucella Espey (born 31 January 1873 in Fulton, CA and daughter of John Houston Espey and Martha Ann Hembree).
We went to see if we could learn more. And, besides, we are definitely museum and historical society people! What we learned is that, in addition to a lovely little museum (right now featuring an exhibit of old toys), the building is home to all the historic records of Healdsburg. Birth, marriage, and death records – and much, much more, according to the informative docent – are housed in the downstairs offices. But, to do any research or to find out anything specific, you have to make an appointment. Sorry Tucker! Next time.
We did learn some interesting facts about the building, itself. It was saved from the wrecking ball a few years back by a group of concerned citizens who raised more than half a million dollars to restore and retrofit the building. Although it is still owned by the city, they lease it for $1.00 a year to the Historical Society. Shades of the Oysterville Schoolhouse which is leased by Ocean Beach School District to the Oysterville Community Club for the same token amount.
As with our Schoolhouse, the leasee is responsible for maintenance of the interior of the building. However, in Healdsburg’s case, the city takes care of the building’s exterior and maintains the landscaping. I also found it interesting that Healdsburg and the Historical Society came to this agreement as recently as 1986. The lease arrangement between the Oysterville Community Club and Ocean Beach School District began way back in 1957. Once again Oysterville was on the cutting edge!
What a wonder museum Healdsburg’s sounds! When I visit the Officer’s Quarters at Ft. Columbia or Flavel House, the nursery is my favorite spot. We are going to Victoria for my birthday and visiting Craigdarroch is always a must-stop!
Did you know that the WA State Historical Museum is in danger of closing because of the economy? When they start closing libraries (the MLK library in Tacoma is on the chopping block, too) and museums, you know things are bad and yet we keep being told that the economy is getting better.
Prior to the recession Dave had talked about getting a motorhome and visiting all the baseball parks in the country. My fantasy (because the motorhome and retiring have become such stuff) would be to add museums to the itinerary. Thanks for letting me stop with you and Nyel!