The mission of the Kelley House Museum is to collect, preserve and share the rich history of the Mendocino Coast. Founded in 1972, Kelley House Museum, Inc. maintains a beautiful house museum and gardens, as well as the Mendocino Coast’s only museum-quality storage facility and staffed research office. Our research archives represent over 150 years of Mendocino coastal history. Collections include historic photo collections, local genealogical data, research documents and publications. Over 3000 entries of maps, documents, books, photographs, oral histories and artifacts from our collection are searchable through our site.
The Kelley House Museum is an historic house museum in the heart of Mendocino, California, a picturesque town of 1,000 people. The home was built in 1861 by William Kelly (sp), one of Mendocino’s founding fathers, and now contains 19th Century furniture. The ocean-view home sits on an acre of gardens, with a pond and three resident geese. William had the pond built and stocked so that the neighborhood children could fish.
We offer Walking Tours of the Mendocino National Historic Preservation District. Tours leave from the Kelley House Museum every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am, and last for 1 1/2 hours.
Unknown Mendocino Coast Couple
Unknown Mendocino Coast couple taken at Wonacott’s Studio in Fort Bragg. Circa 1920 – 1930
Rich Brandes and Nancy Freeze
On Thursday, January 19, Nancy Freeze, Executive Director of the Kelley House was presented a check for $1300.00 from Richard Brandes of the Rotary Club of Mendocino. The money will go towards the next phase of our structural project replacing supports, rails and skirting of the 150 year old house.
Tom Honer, Nancy Freeze and Sev Ickes
On Saturday, December 10, the completed painting of the Kelley House “gang” was finally revealed. Everyone had a great time searching for friends and local characters who were included in the painting. We want to thank Tom Honer for his generosity in purchasing the painting. It will be on display at the Kelley House through the holidays, and then it will permanently reside in Harvest at Mendosa’s for all the town folks to enjoy.
Become a member of our team and help us preserve and interpret our history for the enjoyment of others. Read about volunteer opportunities here.
Your donation directly contributes to the museum’s general operating budget and is used for our interpretive programs and the conservation efforts by the research staff. You can learn more here.
Your membership helps preserve our history for future generations, and you will enjoy many valuable benefits throughout the year. Find out more here.
Your donation helps preserve the history of the Mendocino Coast. Kelley House Museum, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
