Museum of Sonoma County — Attraction in Santa Rosa

This charming history museum is far superior to most small city history museums, both in scope and in presentation. Most history museums are static. Once you've been there you never need to go again. Most tell the story (however well they tell it varies widely) of a particular town or city, often chronologically, hitting the highlights...and that's it. Not Sonoma County History Museum. This museum covers a wide cultural scope, including the entirety of Sonoma County. The shows and exhibits change 3 or 4 times a year, so there is always a reason to go back, and then back again. Sonoma County has a rich history, from pre-European times to present day. Eric Stanley, the museum's curator and major driving force, is not just knowledgeable, but creative, and presents each show with verve and a deft hand.

The present show, which ends July 9, explores "the Great War" at it's 100th anniversary, with a boffo major private collection of iconic WWI posters, plus some artifacts and letters from Sonoma County to cement the local connection. The museum also includes lectures on various show topics, including, for the current show, the tragic story of the Spanish Flu, which overlapped with and was partially spread by soldiers in WWI.

Past shows have included the story of Russians who long ago settled Sonoma County's coast; the history and legacy of Chinese immigrants; a the history of the bicycle; a touching and surprising show about Santa Rosa's Korean sister city, Jeju; an exhibit last year about guitars through the ages, called Medieval to Metal, showcasing fabulous instruments owned by famous musicians you know and loved.

The next upcoming show is about the history of the horse in Sonoma County. Based on the shows that have come before, I'll be first in line for this one. AND there is a bonus. If you buy a ticket to a show at the History Museum (in a lovely 1910 building, formerly a Post Office), you also get admission to the new Sonoma County Museum of Art, which is right next door. Plus there is a cool sculpture garden to tour. What a deal! What a treasure for Santa Rosa and...

BEYOND BOLLYWOOD- Exhibit at the Sonoma County Museum,Santa Rosa, California. Speechless was I for a long time after I left the museum. What an amazing capsule of the history of Indian Immigrants and their contribution to the American Scene, a treasure indeed did I see. For Indophiles and especially for East Indians both young and old this a must. For here one can walk through time itself, from way past to the present. Pictures reflecting personal histories, so touching, covered a wide range of professions. The descriptions were brief yet succinct. Smithsonian curator, Dr. Masum Momaya has done an incredibly creative and attractive presentation that is bound to make Indian Americans who live here, both humble and proud at the same time. Museum Curator, Eric Stanley , Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Leung and staff have enhanced the Smithsonian exhibits with entries in the form of displays and educational presentations of local origin. Exhibit will be there until...

The current (rock posters, etc) show, although very important and well displayed, missed a grand opportunity to honor the true reason for their show: The Amazing, Talented LOCAL Artists that did the art!!! Artists that live right here!! The SoCo Museum needs to correct this obvious oversight immediately by inviting Timothy David Dixon to accept an award given at the Closing Ceremony of the show. Robert Hunter, as well.. Seriously, to use Mr. Dixon's original artwork on the advertising for the show... And then not acknowledge his talent with a thank you is an amazing insult to all of us lifetime Sonoma County residents whose lives were forever changed by these...