Welcome to the Kelley House Museum
This historic home and research center is located in Mendocino, California on the scenic north coast. Built in 1861 by William Kelley, the house overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by gardens filled with flowers and lawn. The museum, along with docent-led walking tours of the historic preservation district, invites visitors to step back in time and imagine life in a bustling, 19th century logging town.
Kelley House Museum is open: Friday–Sunday, 11am–3pm.
Historic Walking Tours
Our walking tours have been described as “the perfect way to get a sense of the cast of characters who helped shape the eclectic town of Mendocino.” On our Historic District tour, visit New England-style pioneer homes and learn about Mendocino’s rich cultural heritage. On our Haunted Mendocino tour you’ll stop at the hideouts of Mendocino’s well-known specters, and learn a little of the town’s history along the way. Our Murder, She Wrote tour takes you to over a dozen filming locations from the hit TV show starring Angela Lansbury. Tours last up to 2 hours, depart weekly, and cost $25 per person.
Fundraiser!
“Solve Along a Murder, She Wrote”
Friday, May 1st, 8pm
Saturday, May 2nd, 4pm
$30
We have a few tickets left for both screenings of the hilarious and interactive classic Murder, She Wrote episode “Joshua Peabody Died Here… Possibly.” Super-fan and award-winning playwright Tim Benzie returns for his second year of the Murder, She Wrote Festival, bringing his hit show all the way from London with an all new episode for viewers to enjoy. This is one of the few episodes filmed in Mendocino!
Fundraiser!
MURDER, SHE WROTE FESTIVAL
Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Festival Passes for 2026 are sold out, but we do have a few tickets available the popular “Solve Along a Murder, She Wrote” screenings. There are also many events open to the general public, such as “Jessica Behind Bars,” “Scavenger, She Hunts,” and the “Murder, She Shopped Market Hall”. To learn more about the free events, single event tickets, and full festival programming click on the button below. To hear about future festivals when they go on sale, Sign up for our newsletter.
Exhibit Spotlight
CONSERVATION FOREVER
50 Years of Mendocino Land Trust
Exhibit runs April 2nd, 2026 – June 1st, 2026
Celebrate five decades of Mendocino Land Trust’s remarkable conservation legacy. This exhibit reveals “behind-the-scenery” stories through archival photos and documents that show exactly how your favorite trails, wildlife habitats, and hidden beaches were acquired and continue to be preserved. Learn more.
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 11th, 2026, 4pm – 5:30pm, Free but RSVP|
Walk The Big River Trail: Saturday, May 16th, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:00pm Free but RSVP
Featured Item ~ From KHM Store
Experience Kelley House
Book Store. Our wide assortment of local history books delve into topics as diverse as movies filmed in Mendocino, shipbuilding, early architecture, and Native American history.
Research. Search our collections or let our expert staff help. Our climate-controlled storage and research facility is home to over 150 years of Mendocino coastal history.
Newsletter. Stay current and connected with the living history of Kelley House Museum as we uncover new stories, host events, and feature special collections.
Donate. Please join us in our efforts to preserve and share Mendocino’s history. Become a member or make a donation today.
Making History Blog
Joann Mauro, Tour Guide Extraordinaire
“Murder, She Wrote” actors Michael Horton and Debbie Zipp with tour guide Joann Mauro. Another beautiful Mendocino spring is upon us, which means another Murder, She Wrote Festival is just around the corner. As the Kelley House Museum and Mendocino prepares to welcome 200 “Fangelas,” we wanted to take a moment to celebrate [...]
The Kelley House Museum is a 501c(3) non-profit educational corporation, tax ID number 94-2277534.