Lillian
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I sure do luv a museum. When visiting San Rafael, I dropped into the Marin History Museum. It is housed in the Boyd gate house which is a Victorian house built in 1879. So the museum size is relatively small. They utilize the space well. The exhibit rotates but all focuses on the local history. Currently the topic is Louise Boyd, the heiress to the Boyd fortune, and explorer of Greenland and the Arctic. The small but mighty museum’s current exhibit is nicely curated with artifacts, photos, written stories, and a short video about Louise Boyd’s early life, explorations, international recognition and awards, and later endowments.
I learned a lot of new things. The Boyd family was the wealthiest family in San Rafael the late 1800s, thanks due in part to Mr. John Boyd’s partnership in the gold mining company in Bodie, CA. He grew his wealth in other investments. The family’s estate (Maple Lawn) includes the gatehouse (guest house) that is now the museum. The actual estate house is the present day Elks Lodge. He and his wife had three children with only Louise reaching adulthood.
The museum permanently houses a research library with information about the city of San Rafael. Parking is street parking. The museum entry fee is $5. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Every first Saturday of the month is free admission day. Not sure if there are public restrooms.