Petaluma Historical Museum

09/03/2026

We all carry something with us. What would you bring?

Join us to celebrate the opening of Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind at the Petaluma Museum.

Through treasured objects and first-person stories, nearly 50 community members share experiences of migration, memory, identity, family, resilience, and home—reminding us that every object carries a story, and every story reminds us what it means to belong.

Join us for our free opening celebration!
Friday, September 4 | 6:00–8:30 PM
Petaluma Museum

The evening will include a traditional welcome and song by Pomo cultural leader Joseph Salinas, a vibrant Vietnamese Lion Dance, a performance and blessing by Danza Azteca Xantotl, a special proclamation from the City of Petaluma, Palestinian food and refreshments, and the opportunity to meet participating storytellers and experience the exhibition for the first time.

Come in traditional or cultural clothing if you wish—or simply come as you are. Everyone belongs.

Belongings is on view September 4–October 4 and is made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.

08/29/2026

Join us at the Petaluma Museum for a special morning of dance, culture, and celebration.

The Petaluma Museum welcomes Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí, an LGBTQ+ Mexican folklórico dance company celebrating culture, identity, and pride through the vibrant traditions of Mexican dance.

This free performance is presented in conjunction with Trans Magic: Owning Our Stories of Strength and Resilience and is open to everyone--now in it's final weekend.

Saturday, August 29
11am
20 4th St., Petaluma 94952

Come enjoy the music, movement, and joy—and visit Trans Magic while you’re here!

08/26/2026

What stories live in the things we keep?

A photograph. A letter. A piece of clothing. An everyday object that carries the memory of someone we love.

Join filmmaker Danièle Wilmouth for Bringing Memories to Life, an intimate creative workshop exploring memory, grief, and the meaningful objects our loved ones leave behind. Participants will bring one to three objects that hold a story, and explore creative ways to preserve and express those memories through storytelling, writing, journaling, archives, and simple stop-motion animation. No artistic or filmmaking experience is needed.

Saturday, September 5, 3–6 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
Tickets $30

Space is limited. Please purchase your ticket here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/belongings-bringing-memories-to-life-tickets-1997155443694

Presented as part of Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind, on view September 4–October 4. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org.

08/25/2026

What stories do we carry with us? And what happens when we make space to share them?

Over the next several weeks, the Museum will be filled with stories of identity, resilience, memory, migration, culture, and home—shared by the people who have lived them.

We’re celebrating the final days of Trans Magic: Owning Our Stories of Strength and Resilience and getting ready to welcome Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind—along with a full month of storytelling, film, art, music, dance, food, and community conversation.

Read our latest newsletter to discover all the ways you can be part of it!

https://conta.cc/4xmtXhk

08/07/2026

History belongs to all of us.

On view through August 30, Trans Magic: Owning Our Stories of Strength and Resilience is a community-curated exhibit sharing the stories, art, and history of trans and gender-expansive people in the North Bay and greater Bay Area.

Join us for the Opening Celebration on Saturday, August 8, from 2–4 p.m. and enjoy music, exhibit tours, dancing, and community!

07/24/2026

We're honored to be part of the 2026 Connecting California grant cohort from California Humanities!

Thank you, California Humanities, for supporting Belongings: What We Bring, What We Leave Behind—an exhibit and community storytelling project that explores migration, memory, and belonging through the treasured objects and personal stories of immigrants, refugees, migrants, adoptees, and others who have made new homes across generations.

At a time when these stories matter more than ever, we're grateful for the opportunity to create a space where our community can listen, connect, and discover the shared humanity that unites us all.

Thank you to California Humanities for investing in projects that bring people together through storytelling and dialogue. We can't wait to share Belongings with our community this fall: September 4-October 4.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Shonda Moore Director of Marketing & Communications (951) 963-4362 [email protected] Oakland, CA (Tuesday, July 21, 2026) — California Humanities has announced $40,000 in grant awards to eight […]

07/23/2026

Be Part of the Story! Help Shape the Future of the Petaluma Museum.

The Petaluma Museum preserves and shares our community's stories—but we also believe it's just as important to listen.

As we develop a new strategic plan, we're inviting our community to help write the Museum's next chapter. Whether you're a longtime member, a casual visitor, a volunteer, or simply someone who cares about Petaluma, we'd love to hear from you.

Take our quick 2-minute community survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BRZV5PJ

Interested in sharing more? You can also sign up through the survey to participate in an upcoming community focus group.

Thank you for being part of our story!

07/23/2026

The Fabric of Democracy has brought our community together through inspiring conversations about quilts, creativity, history, and the power of collaboration.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible "Stitched Together" panelists—Karen Bolan, Pamela Van Halsema, Melanie Walas, Jessica Cadkin, and Lauren Vogt—for sharing the stories behind their collaborative quilt projects, and to renowned quilt historian Julie Silber for her fascinating "Mark My Words" lecture exploring the words, messages, and meaning stitched into quilts across generations.

If you haven't experienced the exhibition yet—or if these conversations have inspired you to take another look—there's still time. The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People is on view at the Petaluma Museum through August 2.

Come discover historic and contemporary quilts, add your hopes to our Common Threads Community Quilt Project, and explore how quilts have helped tell America's story for more than 250 years.

Thanks to for support of this exhibit and programs!

07/05/2026

What a beautiful morning of music, history, and community at the Petaluma Museum!

For more than 60 years, Petalumans have gathered to ring the historic Korbel Bell. This year, through music, storytelling, and our Fabric of Democracy exhibition, we commemorated America's 250th by celebrating the many threads that connect us—and the people who continue to shape our community.

Thank you for celebrating with us! And thank you The City of Petaluma - Government for your support of this very special community event.

06/30/2026

How have quilts communicated across generations?

From stitched names and signatures to political messages, family histories, and expressions of hope, words have long been woven into the fabric of quilts.

Join us for Mark My Words: Textiles and Text, an illustrated lecture by world renowned quilt historian Julie Silber, as she explores the fascinating relationship between quilts and the written word. Drawing from decades of research and extraordinary historic quilts, Julie will reveal how quiltmakers have used text to commemorate lives, record history, and tell stories that continue to resonate today.

Presented in conjunction with our exhibition, The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People, this special program offers a deeper look at the remarkable language of quilts.

Reserve your spot for this free event at: https://MarkMyWordsJulieSilber.eventbrite.com

The Fabric of Democracy exhibition and programming is presented in partnership with City of Petaluma Parks and Recreation and The City of Petaluma - Government.