The Petaluma Historical Museum wasn't built to hold pieces of Petaluma's history: It was constructed to house literature. The former library was build in 1904 from local pieces of stone, and it served that purpose right up until it was converted into a museum. The building itself is an excellent example of Petaluma's history. It was designed by a local architect in neo-classical style, and it still boasts the biggest standalone leaded glass dome in all of Northern California.

Don't get so caught up in the setting that you forget to explore the exhibits at Petaluma Historical Museum, though. They cover parts of Petaluma's past dating back to the 1850s, including its history with the poultry and dairy industry, as well as the legacy of the Miwok Native Americans. Yelp reviewers reveal that the collection holds everything from maps of early Petaluma to items gleaned from the city's very first elementary school.

Petaluma Historical Museum
20 Fourth Street
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778-4398
www.petalumamuseum.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/petaluma-historical-museum-petaluma

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Monica Arellano-Ongpin