The Western Sonoma County Historical Society in cooperation with the City of Sebastopol undertook the restoration of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad Depot in the 1980s. The building had been designed by Brainerd Jones, noted Petaluma based architect.

The Petaluma and Santa Rosa Electric Railway Depot built in 1917 was restored in 1993, and today is the home of the West County Museum at 261 South Main Street in Sebastopol, CA.The West County Museum opened in 1993 in the old downtown electric train station with an exhibit on the Railroad. The Depot was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1996.

Museum exhibits change two to three time a year

Museum exhibits are changed two to three times a year, and focus on west Sonoma County history. Past exhibits have explored movies filmed in Sonoma County, historical toys, eclectic collections from the community, the World War II experience on the home front, the apple industry and apple festivals and fairs, early lighting devices, etc.

The Museum features a small reference room, The Triggs Reference Room, containing historical reference books and a clippings file along with recordings of local personal histories.

Grounds feature Luther Burbank plant creations

On the grounds and to the south and east of the museum proper you will find a small garden with a number of Luther Burbank's plant creations. Most of these are sold every Wednesday, 9 to noon, at the Luther Burbank Gold Ridge Experiment Farm. You'll find directions and a brochure in the museum.

Video Narrated By: Evelyn McClure

Volunteers drive Museum's programs

The Museum is an all volunteer effort from curators to docents, and the Western Sonoma County Historical Society welcomes new members.

There is plenty to do, for instance, in docenting, archival work, data bases, historical photography, editorial and writing work, oral history recording, videotaping, and historical research. Contact us and we will help you find a fulfilling niche. (Map)