Discover the stories of California’s often-overlooked pioneer women who blazed trails and left an enduring legacy for generations to come.

July 5-August 25

Illuminating the hardships, joys, and lives of female pioneers, Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women highlights first-person stories from the women who traveled by land or sea to settle in California prior to statehood. In 1900, The Association of Pioneer Women of California formed and collected the reminiscences of women who arrived in California before 1854 in a single ledger. This incredible document, filled with over 800 handwritten stories of California pioneer women, is the basis for this exhibition. Organized by The Society of California Pioneers, the exhibition will feature first-person quote panels, maps, photographs, and other materials. The Museum will concurrently display artifacts from Petaluma’s early women residents, including journals and other personal objects.

Her Side of the Story: Tales of California Pioneer Women was developed by The Society of California Pioneers and travels through Exhibit Envoy.