Our Hidden Gem: The Museum of Sonoma County, by Karen Wise, Executive Director
Our guest speaker for March 26, 2026 was Karen Wise, Executive Director of the Museum of Sonoma County. Karen was raised in the North Bay but spent much of her career working at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History in various capacities, including as Vice President of Education and Exhibitions. Karen has a BA, MA, and PhD in Anthropology. She came back home to Sonoma County to join the Museum in January 2025.
The Museum building was constructed in 1910 after the disastrous 1906 earthquake. It was originally the Santa Rosa Post Office and Federal Building and was designed by the National Architect. It was built in the Roman Renaissance Revival style typical of federal post office construction at the time. The building was sold to the County in 1967 after construction of the new post office. It was moved from its former location on 5th Street to its current 7th Street location in 1979 to make way for the downtown mall. The Museum itself was created by the Bicentennial Commission and opened its doors in 1985. The Museum is a hidden gem; it has amazing programs but has not yet motivated people to visit often.
Karen asked us why museums matter. The consensus is that museums provide education in history, art, culture, science, and generational equity. Education matters; it is not happening in public schools which have no “hands-on” education in science or art. Education in the arts improves educational outcomes. The Museum provides field trips for local schools and art classes for kids. It is also a place to make connections with other people and with Sonoma County’s past. The Museum has some amazing exhibits, including the Artistry in Wood collection, which showcases fine woodwork and was created in collaboration with the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association. Sonoma County Stories is a permanent exhibition which has at its core the Oral Histories of Gaye LeBaron. The Museum will also host a couple of new exhibitions; “Disturbing the Peace: Sonoma County’s Early Punk Underground” from April 18 to August 23, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s: “Running Fence at 50 Years” from June 27 through November 2026. The Museum also features cultural festivals, including the Lunar New Year and Dia de Los Muertos.
Many thanks to Karen for the great reintroduction to the Museum of Sonoma County. We look forward to future interactions with Karen and Museum!
