In honor of Black History Month, and in celebration of the 41st Annual Black History Program, The Petaluma Historical Library & Museum and Petaluma Blacks for Community Development are pleased to present “The Great Black Migration. 1910-1970”, an exhibit on display at the museum February 7 through March 24. This exhibit will look at the movement of over 6 million African Americans from the Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest and West between 1910 and 1970. This was the largest internal movement of any group in American history, and had particular significance for Petaluma and the Bay Area as these areas welcomed large groups of African Americans in this period.

Coordinating events at the museum include:

  • 7th Annual Jazz Concert, Friday February 1st, doors open at 6:30pm, concert begins at 7pm. Tickets available here.
  • Children’s Story Time, Saturday February 9th, 10am to noon. Free event. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Lecture by Sharon McGriff-Payne, Sunday February 10th, 1pm. Author of John Grider’s Century: African Americans in Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties, 1845-1925. 
  • Lecture by Martha C. Taylor, Sunday March 3, 2pm. Author of From Labor to Reward: Black Church Beginnings in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Richmond, 1849-1972.

Activities in the community (free to the public):

  • 41st Annual Black History Program, Saturday February 23, 5:30pm, New Life Christian Church Auditorium, 1310 Clegg St., Petaluma
  • Annual Gospel Hour, Sunday February 24, 4pm, Petaluma Christian Church, 1160 Schuman Lane