Page 10 - Vallejo_Chamber_of_Commerce_Magazine_Fall_2018

hen it comes to the city of Vallejo, one cannot simply ignore its right in the heart of our Vallejo community, and I will certainly
rich history and community, and the Vallejo Naval and Historical be back with a class full of third graders.
Museum on 734 Marin Street has certainly helped combine the
W two since opening its doors as an organization in 1974. The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on 734 Marin Street
is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information,
such as to schedule an event and rent out their facilities, visit
Vallejo is a destination that goes beyond Six Flags Discovery lot of character with its historic ambiance, but its downtown them online at vallejomuseum.net;
Kingdom, as—with two museums in a historic city—it is the location makes it convenient to access and its two-story building email them at valmuse@pacbell.net; or call them while they are
perfect place for a museum enthusiast. In what used to be the has spacious areas. For example, there is the Hall of History open at (707) 643-0077. Be sure to like them on Facebook, if
city hall building and is now the original museum in Vallejo, (located left from the lobby), described as “a large, open and you have not already, to follow them for updates.
the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum is appropriately elegant banquet-style room that has accommodations for up to
located in historic downtown, and it is in company with 140 for luncheons or dinners, and up to 250 for other types … complete archives of original bound volumes of Vallejo
another great museum nearby, the Mare Island Museum on of events that don’t require banquet seating,” on the museum’s newspapers from 1867 to 1950 … [and] a complete set of
1100 Railroad Ave., Mare Island. While the two museums website. It also has a recital hall (upstairs and to the right) for the Mare Island Grapevine newspaper from 1942-1996.” The
share similar information, namely overlapping with the Naval concerts and recitals and a research library (upstairs to the museum and its research library can be a real starting point
Shipyard—they do have their differences that showcase left). “We host a lot of community events,” Kern explained. to get to know the city you live in and/or work in, especially
Vallejo’s multifaceted history. “In addition to being the ‘traditional museum,’ where you see for those new in town. The library is open to do just that on
exhibits [their well-planned exhibits constantly change about Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment.
Jim Kern, who has been the museum’s executive director for years, two to three times a year] and a lecture, there are lots of
helped shed light on this topic: “There is some overlap [between community groups who have events here such as student piano From a bustling port and railroad city, and its short time serving
the two museums], but we really do all of Vallejo’s history, and recitals … We really see ourselves as a center for all sorts as the state capital—twice—for brief periods (in 1852 and
you can’t talk about Vallejo’s history without also including Mare of community activities.” To name a few, other examples of again in 1853), Vallejo has certainly gone through significant
Island. I think people who are interested in museums would visit community events include concerts, weddings, meetings, and changes throughout the years, which the museum does a great
both because it’s like high-quality restaurants: if you’re really into book signings. Recently, last year, it held a book signing by job outlining, even dating back to before it was a city. For
going out to high-quality restaurants, you can’t have too many local writer and Vallejo native Brendan Riley, who often does instance, the area was once home to the Suisunes, Patwin
of them; [as such,] if you’re really into museums, you can’t have research there and currently sits on the board of directors as tribes, and Coastal Miwoks (there is an exhibit with Native
too many of them, because people who really enjoy museums the museum’s secretary. American relics on display downstairs).
will go to all of them.”
What seems to be more behind the scenes of our local museum Vallejo is today known for its strong, diverse community, and
And just as the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum’s name is its research library, which happens to be an invaluable as a hub for the art and performing arts community. The
suggests, it does, of course, emphasize Mare Island. Since the resource. Not only are its staff members and board members Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum certainly fits right there
Mare Island Naval Shipyard was in service for almost 150 knowledgeable and experienced to give background and among The Hub, the Artiszen Cultural Arts Center, the Empress
years (from 1853 to 1996), it is impossible not to focus on it answer questions, but the museum library is also a great place Theatre, and so forth as providing rich culture to the diverse
when it comes to Vallejo’s history. However, because of the to delve deeper into Vallejo’s roots. The museum’s website has a myriad that is Vallejo.
Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum’s long name and the list of some of their library’s greatest contents: “[The library has]
word “naval,” people may think that it only focuses on the Mare more than 35,000 historic photos of Vallejo and Mare Island Some great ways to get involved in the Vallejo community are
Island Naval Shipyard, which is not true at all, as it covers all to volunteer at places like the museum, purchase merchandise
of Vallejo’s history. “Thinking it was just a naval museum might at their gift shop, become a museum member, and/or make
be a misconception that some people make,” Kern said. “They a donation, all of which can be conveniently done online
hear the word ‘naval’ without realizing that it’s all of Vallejo’s at vallejomuseum.net. Moreover, while also supporting the
history … People might not be interested in naval history, but community—without even needing to like museums or history—
they’ll find something here about their community.” you can attend events hosted by the museum, which you can
easily stay up to date on by “liking” their Facebook page
On that note, not everyone likes history—even though it is an (simply search Vallejo Museum) to follow them and/or checking
important part of Vallejo. As a third-grade schoolteacher, I am a their website. Donations are greatly accepted and appreciated,
community member who teaches my students about Vallejo and as they are a 501(c)3 non-profit public benefit organization, so
its history as my job, so these are more than fun facts for me you could be eligible for a tax break by doing so; donations
(i.e., a field trip here for my students to witness primary source can be made at your convenience on their website or in person.
artifacts is a definite must). However, in addition to an obvious
field trip location, the museum is more than a museum, as the Just as Vallejo is diverse and always changing, the museum
501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit organization offers services that is always updating their exhibits to keep us interested and
the average person may not be aware of. educated—and that is exciting. “We’re always changing our
exhibits,” Kern said. “So if people have visited something in the
Opening its facilities to the community, the museum makes a past, they can expect to see something new each time they
great place to hold or attend an event. It not only offers a come back.” We are lucky to have such an amazing museum
8 Fall www.vallejochamber.com