The Museum’s Research Library, named after Petaluma City Historian Hoppy Hopkins (1921-2003), contains books and files that assist in history, genealogy, and architectural research of Petaluma and close environs. Collection strengths include such treasures as: early maps, the Vallejo land grant; books relating to topics as the Miwok Indians, poultry and dairy industries; histories of surrounding communities; blueprints of homes and buildings designed by local architect Brainerd Jones; city directories from as early as 1875; yearbooks from the 1890s; and a copy of the first newspaper published in Petaluma in August of 1855.

Access to Research

Research Request Form

Please begin by filling out our Research Request Form to give us a clear idea of what your research aim is:
The research staff is available when the museum is closed on any weekday pending staff availability for an appointment and on Thursday when the museum is open.
For research requests, please email:  research@petalumamuseum.com or call us at 707 778-4398.

Research Rates

After many years with no increases in the rates the PHL&M charges for research services, the Board recently voted to establish modest increases beginning January 1, 2023. The museum has been charging for research since 2008 and periodically reviews the schedule of charges. Currently, the Museum charges no more than $10/hour for research services. Other Museums in Sonoma County charge substantially more.

The average research request takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. For the first time museum members will be charged after the first 2 hours to address  requests (or multiple requests) which take more than the average time to complete.

Here is a summary of the new charges, which are tiered to encourage membership:
Members
* Individual Members and non-profits receive the first 2 hours free; $15 per hour after that
* Business Members receive two free hours annually, and $30/hour after that
* All Members can use the Research Library for free
Non-Members
* Individuals and non-profits, $25/hour
* Businesses, $50/hour
$10/hour for use of the Research Library.

Unique Records Of Local Interest

There are blueprints of homes and buildings designed by local architect Brainerd Jones, city directories from as early as 1875 and yearbooks from the 1890’s, as well as record books of groups such as G.A.R. and Corona Club, which bring early citizens to life. The Clipping files and Ephemera boxes hold treasures related to such widely diverse topics as aviation, sports and city government. We have a copy of the first newspaper published in Petaluma in August of 1855, as well as a number of special edition newspapers.

Portraits of Petaluma Pioneers
Inspired by recent scholarship and an exhibition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Petaluma Museum Association took stock of the PHL&M’s early portrait collection and realized what treasures had been resting in the offsite storage boxes. Please visit www.petalumapioneers.org to explore the virtual exhibit and 3-D tour.

Petaluma Archive Coming to Digital Life…
We are excited to share the launch of the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum’s archival website. The website is dedicated to featuring the collections that belong to the museum and to sharing them digitally with the public. Funded by a grant from Supervisor David Rabbit’s office, the collections team, led by Solange Russek, has been designing and populating a website that features photographs, documents, and artifacts from the museum’s vast collection. Web designer Martin Ferrini and data content manager Amy Hogan worked with Solange Russek to create a website that provides digital images and information for research on the history of Petaluma, is easy to navigate, and allows the public to search the content. Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to purchase copies of the images. As there are over ten thousand items to digitize and upload, the team continues adding content as it becomes available. You can check out the site here: www.petaluma-historical-library-and-museum-archive.org