by Katy Tahja, Kelley House Volunteer Recently, I went down to the basement archives in the Kelley House Museum, walked over to the subjects file cabinet, pulled out the drawer starting with the letter A and what did I find? Accidents! I must say, Mendocino Coast residents in days gone by found some unusual ways to maim and kill themselves and these events got excellent newspaper [...]
by Marty Simpson The first two dwellings illuminated by Edison's improved light bulb in the fall of 1880 were the home of Francis Upton and Sarah Jordan's Boarding House, both in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Upton was an employee of Edison’s laboratory and the boarding house was home to some of Edison's single male employees. As might be expected, gas stocks subsequently took a sharp downturn. [...]
by Tonia Hurst A little more than 125 years ago, the Mendocino Coast was alive with activity as men moved redwood from the forests down to the coast where it was gathered and sorted, milled or split, and then loaded onto ships headed for San Francisco and elsewhere. Before the Panama Canal, all building materials had to be shipped around the horn. The discovery of local [...]
Friday, January 27, 2017 to Monday, March 27, 2017 When the mills ceased their rumbling and whining and the labor force was home with their families or enjoying a Sunday afternoon, what was there to do? In this exhibit the Kelley House Museum displays some of the many photographs, archival treasures and objects related to fun and games in Mendocino. Before the electronic age which heralded [...]
Step back in time to an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at the Kelley House. This seasonal exhibit runs through December 31, 2018. The tree is trimmed with period decorations. Toys and other holiday decorations from our archives are on display. Thanks to our volunteers for decorating and to Rosa Wyglendowski of L&R Farm for the garlands and botanical arrangements. Museum hours are Friday through Monday, 11:00AM to [...]
By Anne Cooper The Kelley House Museum will be the scene of holiday cheer and good vibes on Friday, December 2nd from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.. We are offering our members, their guests and those who join at the door, a holiday gathering complete with libations and food. The 1861 William and Eliza Kelley home will be decorated for the season in keeping with the [...]