Petaluma Adobe Safe For One More Year

The Petaluma State Historic Parks Association celebrated keeping General Mariano Vallejo's former ranch open with a ribbon cutting recently at the park.

The property, frequented by Novato teachers and their classes who study state history, contains a museum with artifacts from California's earliest days and hosts traditional events like the Fandango. It was one of 70 parks scheduled for closure by the state, but was saved when volunteers rallied to raise $70,000 to fund one year of park operations, boosted by a $35,000 matching grant by an anonymous donor.

On July 1, donors and volunteers were thanked for their commitment to the park and the first portion of the payment to the state made. Officials in attendance included Petaluma City Councilwoman Teresa Barrett, Sonoma City Councilwoman Laurie Gallian, State Parks Superintendent Danita Rodriguez and Supervisor David Rabbitt.

However, a longterm funding plan has yet to be established, although the association is discussing potential revenue streams including holding weddings at the park (two have already been booked), along with a blue grass festival and theatrical events.

Do you have ideas about how to generate more revenue for the park? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

At the ribbon-cutting, donors were treated to tours by docents in historic dress and got a sneak preview of this August's "Two Gentlemen of Sonoma," an adaptation of Shakepeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona." The play is staged in 1840s California and being produced by CAPS Productions and the Sonoma Theatre Alliance to raise funds for the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park.

It will be performed at the Petaluma Adobe on August 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26. There will be food  trucks and wine for sale from guest wineries including Cline Cellars and the Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance. For tickets call (707)938-4626 or visit the Box Office web site at http://www.sonomacommunitycenter.org.