Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

A hidden gem in the wine country! I had no idea the author of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde had such a romantic and touching story behind his life. The museum beautifully captures his journey and the love that inspired his work.

Lovely museum dedicated to one of my favorite writers. Loved the attention to detail, quietness, a room for ones own.

Excellent small museum but full of interesting photos, artifacts, and time-line history of RLS. Plus Barret, the director, was very knowledgeable about RSL and shared quite a bit of information that was new to me. Worth a visit.

Wonderful little museum! Loved everything about it. I grew up with A Child’s Garden of Verses and seeing his toy soldiers was unexpected and moving.

Small but very interesting and we'll curated. Lots of great history about the author of "Treasure Island" and many other American classics.

A great 15 minute stop for a little education on a ckassic author! Not for small kids; however, it is attached to a library which allows the little ones to enjoy the gift of writing!

Cute little museum right next to the library. Good place to cool off on a hot day and learn about the life of the writer. Free admission!

Very nice exhibit. Very knowledgeable staff. Small, but worth the visit.

I wanted to know more about Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island and other classics. This small one room museum had many piece of memorabilia. But the best part was the history the docent gave about the life of RLS. Left wanting to read his books again!

The Robert Louis Stevenson is an unassuming museum on the edge of St. Helena, next to the public library. Stevenson's "wine is bottled poetry" quote is a common sight in the Napa Valley, yet this museum is small... and relatively uncrowded. Quotes from Stevenson adorn the walls, along with a pirate mannequin and a treasure chest for the Treasure Island display, as well as the toy soldiers who inspired him in "Children's Garden of Verses." Stevenson's adventures in California&Samoa are described&depicted with artifacts. Stevenson didn't confine his quests to his swashbuckling novels. Much is devoted to his romance with Fanny Osbourne, his wife, and their eventual honeymoon in the Napa Valley. For many people, their introductions to Stevenson are his poetry, or movies based on his novels (like Disney's 1960 version of "Kidnapped" with its dueling bagpipes&Rob Roy's son) This museum shows Stevenson's human side. Fascinating and insightful.

My family and I went to visit this museum with our two kids on Talk Like a PIrate Day. The staff was great--warm and friendly, inviting and informative. We spent the better part of an hour learning about Stevenson's fascinating life while our boys made pirate hats and swords out of newspaper with one of the staff who was dressed like a pirate. They had a ball and we were surprised to learn that the great writer Stevenson only lived until age 44, was often ill, yet despite all this, he was a prolific writer who put Napa Valley wines 'on the map' in the late 1800's. The museum is free. We highly recommend this little museum for anyone interested in his works or life.

Hidden Treasure. As a hardcore nomad I find certain things handy. Public Libraries are handy in many, many ways, and the fact that this museum is located in one is a plus. Cost is always a major consideration and this is another plus. The staff is friendly, well-versed and dedicated. The collection is modest if compared to a giant metropolitan museum but its history is just as interesting nonetheless (see bio below). I don't always buy stuff but here there were plenty of affordable and attractive trinkets, not too mention books of course. I came in pursuit of literary travel. Not really sure if the Silverado trail was the same as Stevenson's, never did find the bunker, but this museum did a great job of whetting our appetite.

This one-room museum is manned by one kind old woman filled with knowledge - you can tell by looking at her and speaking with her. She'll either give you a guided tour, telling you everything she knows and has read about RLS or she'll let you find your own way around the place. TReasure Island paperbacks and Jeckyl/Hyde books scatter the place. Old typed notes curl up, hanging next to photos of this geeky Icabod-like Scottish guy who presumably sought adventure. You'll learn that he was disowned from his parents when he married a divorcee with two kids and had to elope to an abandoned cabin in napa. AFter he became ill (and took opium and became addicted though the museum doesn't mention this) he writes TI and makes money for he and his wife to move to Hawaii and then to Samoa. Buy a book for $5 and support this little museum. They have a checklist of what they need by the door and mark things off when they get enough donations! PS Cool fact - my Best friend's GMA started this place!