Petaluma Historical Museum

November 14, 2014

A visit to the Petaluma Museum in a building that was originally the library.

Beginnings of Viticulture in Petaluma:
The main level of the museum features exhibits about wine-making in the Petaluma area, the effects of Prohibition on grape growing and wine production, and the resurgence of the wine industry.

Lachman and Jacobi: 

http://www.petalumamuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Winter-2014-PMA-Newsletter-for-WEB-revised-2.pdf    page 1, last paragraph

Raffaelli Brothers Vineyard and Winery: 

Petaluma was strongly divided on the issue of probation. Many citizens made their living selling wine and the community had many saloons. The Women's Christian Temperance Union commissioned the installation in 1891 of the "Temperance Fountain" which is engraved with the statement: "Total Abstinence is the Way to Handle the Alcohol Problem."
Although the National Prohibition Act was made law in 1902, and the approximately 256 commercial wineries in Sonoma County were forced to shut down, the law permitted each American household to produce up to 200 gallons of wine annually. This aspect of the law inspired the production of "grape bricks" which in turn undoubtedly inspired the home crafted wine tradition that is popular in the Petaluma community.
Prohibition ended in 1933, but during the 13 "dry" years, Petaluma  invested its resources in chicken, eggs, dairy and agriculture; the viticulture industry that had so profitably flourished would not resume until the 1980's. (Petaluma Museum exhibit)

And now for something completely different... an exhibit of American Graffiti! Many scenes were filmed in Petaluma during June and July of 1972.

Left: This is an original Japanese program guide from 1973.
Right: The Israeli version of the original 41 hits soundtrack.

                                                       http://www.americangraffiti.net

Petaluma Chicken exhibit:

                           How Petaluma Became The Chicken Capital of the World

The following photos are from the red binder on the middle table. What a treasure of historical  photos!

                                                    20th century Bridal Couple in Petaluma, Cal.

These two photos are displayed on the walls of the exhibit area:

The following two photos are from an exhibit of a kitchen: turn of the century to the 1950's:

               The mural is still on the Mutual Insurance building. It has since been restored.

                                  http://www.petalumamuseum.com/about/

Then a walk through the residential area of Petaluma:

                                                         California Living Room

                                                   California pick-up

Lombardi's BBQ  became a quest for Jonathan. Close to a week ago on Sunday, we drove by a sign that advertised BBQ Oysters. We didn't see a restaurant, just remembered seeing a lawn with the sign.  Then, today, J. saw the sign again!  The restaurant is set back from the road and the BBQ Oysters are only served on Fridays to Sundays!

http://www.lombardisbbq.com

From one fire to another, on our way home to our campsite.