Palo Alto Museum

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10/15/2026

This past Saturday, we kicked off Chapter One: Palo Alto Rocks! at Heritage Park, a free afternoon celebrating Palo Alto’s music history, presented in partnership with the City of Palo Alto. Thank you to everyone who joined us on such a beautiful fall day!

Mayor Vicki Veenker and our President and CEO, Marguerite Hancock, welcomed the crowd to an afternoon of music made right here at home. Palo Alto’s own Sheryl B and her Stellar 5 set the mood with jazz and R&B, and fellow Palo Altans
Past Curfew followed with rock classics that had everyone singing and dancing. Many of the songs had roots in Palo Alto, too. In between sets, local music trivia sparked friendly debates and big cheers, and winners took home prizes and Museum swag you can only get here.

Kids and grandparents, lifelong Palo Altans and newcomers from across the city and beyond all came together. Our history, our community, and what’s next. That’s what this Museum is all about.

Ahead of our Grand Opening in April 2027, join us November 7–8 (11 AM–4 PM) for a free first look at two inaugural exhibits: Doña Juana Briones, celebrating the 19th-century entrepreneur, healer, and landowner, and I AM PALO ALTO, where “Pam,” our AI docent, introduces five Palo Altans who changed the world. Expect hands-on activities, special guests, and pop-up swag.

Founding Members get an exclusive preview hour each day with a behind-the-scenes tour led by President & CEO Marguerite Gong Hancock.

Reserve your spot today: https://paloaltomuseum.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/palo-alto-stories-first-look-at-two-inaugural-exhibits

Become a Founding member: https://paloaltomuseum.org/membership/

10/13/2026

The Palo Alto Museum invites community members to meet our team, hear about our plans, ask questions, and help shape the City’s new cultural institution.

The Museum is being built by, with, and for our community, so we want to continue to hear how you’d like to see it come to life when we open in April 2027.

We’d also value your feedback on the Museum’s proposed updates for the Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which would make room for dynamic events, community gatherings, and more. This proposal isn’t final. Your input will help shape how the Museum can serve the community. Read more here:https://paloaltomuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Palo-Alto-Museum-Proposed-CUP-Amendments-_-Sept-2026.docx.pdf

Join us for one or both of our upcoming Community Meetings at the Palo Alto Museum, 300 Homer Ave, on Thursday, October 15, or Wednesday, November 4, both at 7 pm.

Add your voice! Please let us know you’re coming so we can share updates along the way.

RSVP today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiH1eQiyO8-FgsOpZI9gMkyfBI7ow32LZNhRrDLWrHH86q1w/viewform

10/03/2026

The countdown begins: Join the Palo Alto Museum for Palo Alto Rocks!

Saturday, October 10 | 4:00–6:00 PM | Heritage Park, 300 Homer Avenue | FREE

A new museum is coming to Palo Alto in Spring 2027, and we’re kicking off the celebration with a free music party in the park, presented in partnership with the City of Palo Alto.

Sheryl B and her Stellar 5 open with jazz and R&B, then Palo Alto’s own Past Curfew brings the rock classics. Plus free ice cream, local music trivia, prizes, and Museum swag you can only get here.

Bring a blanket, bring your neighbors, and come rock the park!

Reserve your free ticket at the link in bio.

Want the best seat in the park? Become a Founding Member for reserved seating near the stage. Details at the link in bio.

09/18/2026

A Message from Our CEO Marguerite Hancock: Opening One Chapter at a Time

Many of you have been with us through every chapter of this story: the founding vision, the renovation of our historic 1932 Roth Building, and the excitement of 500 people at our December Open House. Then came the January rains, and the water challenges that followed changed our plans.

You showed up anyway — with encouragement, expertise, and belief in our mission. You carried us through.

Together with our Board, and in full partnership with the City of Palo Alto, we've made a decision: the Palo Alto Museum will open in chapters, starting this fall.

Six pop-ups. Six chapters. One Palo Alto. Each one its own event — and a preview of something larger, building to our Grand Opening on April 16, 2027.

Chapter One: Palo Alto Rocks!
Presented in partnership with the City of Palo Alto
Sat, Oct 10 · 4–6pm · Heritage Park · Free
We open with jazz, R&B, and rock music. A free afternoon of two live bands with Palo Alto ties, local trivia, ice cream, and prizes. → Learn more: https://paloaltomuseum.org/events/ -one

Chapter Two: Palo Alto Stories
Sat–Sun, Nov 7–8 · 11am–4pm · Museum · Free
A first look inside two inaugural exhibits, including Doña Juana Briones and I AM PALO ALTO. → Learn more: https://paloaltomuseum.org/events/ -two

Read Marguerite's full letter: https://paloaltomuseum.org/opening-one-chapter-at-a-time/

Your support builds every chapter. Become a Founding Member today for unlimited admission, exclusive previews, and discounts along the way: https://paloaltomuseum.org/membership/

07/23/2026

Meet Dana Tom, one of our newest Palo Alto Museum Board members!

A Stanford electrical engineer and Palo Alto resident since 1998, Dana has spent decades in service to this community, nine years as an elected trustee of the Palo Alto Unified School District, President of Palo Alto Players, President of the Rotary Club of Palo Alto, and PTA President at Duveneck Elementary, just to name a few.

"I'm excited to join the Palo Alto Museum early enough to help shape its direction, testing ideas and adjusting course as we learn what works. The museum has a rare opportunity to show that Palo Alto's story of innovation is really a story about community."

Welcome to the Board, Dana!

07/22/2026

Please welcome Peter Hebert, one of two new members joining the Palo Alto Museum Board this July!

Peter co-founded Lux Capital with a simple belief: back the founders building things everyone else says are impossible. Today Lux manages $7 billion across AI, biotech, robotics, energy, and defense, with early bets on companies like Hugging Face, Anduril, and Runway.

But Peter's connection to Palo Alto runs deep. He moved here from New York in 2011 and lived in an apartment overlooking the Museum.

"With a deep commitment to this local community and a lifelong passion for history, especially the history of Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, I am honored to support the launch of this lasting institution."

Welcome, Peter!

06/30/2026

Over the weekend, we hosted a sold-out garden benefit celebrating the legacy of architect Birge Clark, and more than 50 community members showed up to be part of it.

Long-time Palo Altans, Birge Clark homeowners, and new Museum supporters gathered in two private gardens, set against the backdrop of Clark's iconic architecture, and strolled past more of his designed homes.

Local architect Dan Garber spoke on Clark's living legacy, and Palo Alto Museum President & CEO Marguerite Gong Hancock shared the latest on the Museum's path to opening.

"Birge Clark designed extraordinary spaces meant to serve people and feel like home," said Hancock. "This benefit helps as a stepping stone for us do the same: complete vital waterproofing repairs, preserve the Museum's own Birge Clark landmark, and breathe new life into it — so we can open our doors once again and be a home for our community for generations to come."

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and made this possible. Want to be part of what's next? Follow the link-in-bio.

06/29/2026

Earlier this month, we were honored to host Palo Alto's own Joanna Ho — New York Times bestselling author — for a Summer Outdoor Adventure Storytime right here in the Museum courtyard.

Joanna read from her newly released picture book A Room With a View, a funny, heartfelt story about discovering that the best adventures (and the best views) are the ones shared with the people we love.

Families enjoyed hands-on, camping-inspired activities and heard the story behind the book straight from the author herself, exactly the kind of morning that reminds us why this community means so much.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, to our partners at Linden Tree Children's Books for making books available on-site, and a special thank you to Joanna for sharing her story, her heart, and her time with our community.

If you missed it, stay tuned — more programming is on the way.

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about future events: https://dashs.liveimpact.org/li/7821/formtemplate/44182/1/4582508

06/26/2026

Which company became the first tenant of Stanford Research Park in 1953?

The answer marks the beginning of a place that would help transform Palo Alto into one of the world’s most important centers of innovation.

Take the quiz, test your local knowledge, and discover the companies, inventions, and ideas that emerged from Stanford Research Park.

Earn points redeemable for Palo Alto Museum merchandise, local treats, and more.

👉 Start the Museum in Your Pocket story now.
https://paloalto.pullpath.works/start/path/71

06/12/2026

Custom-designed Palo Alto tote bags. Sent straight to your door.

That’s one of the rewards you can win through Museum in Your Pocket: Palo Alto Museum’s interactive way to explore local history, answer quick quizzes, and earn points along the way.

This time, take the quiz on the Arnautoff Frescoes and discover the story behind one of Palo Alto’s most striking public artworks.

👉 Take the Arnautoff Frescoes quiz today.
https://paloalto.pullpath.works/start/path/75

Address

300 Homer Avenue
Palo Alto, CA

Website

https://paloaltomuseum.org/, https://paloaltomuseum.org/palo-alto-2044/

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