VALLEJO NAVAL & HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Home MUSEUM VALLEJO HISTORY CALENDAR SHIPYARD MAP BOOK STORE EVENTS

Birdseye view of VALLEJO from Mare Island 1891

734 Marin Street, Vallejo, California 94590

Telephone (707) 643-0077

FAX 707-643-2443

 Museum Hours

Tuesday through Saturday to - 10:00am to 4:30p

Closed - Monday & Sunday

Adults $ 2.00 / Seniors & Students $ 1.00 / Children 12 and under free

Members are free

Become a Member

Questions, Please e-mail

e-mail - valmuse@pacbell.net

The mission of this Museum is to provide a cultural center for the Community to increase awareness of the heritage of the past, inculcate a sense of community pride, provide historical perspective through interpretation of the rich and colorful history of the Vallejo Area and its relationship to the United States Navy at Mare Island. Information to assist our visitors in a self-guided tour of the Museum follows:

1.    The Museum is called "Naval and Historical" because the City of Vallejo and the Navy have grown together since

        the 1850s when Mare Island became our nation's first naval base in the Western United States. Mare Island built

         over 500 ships for our Navy between 1859 and 1970.

2.    This building is the Old Vallejo City Hall, built in 1927, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

3.    The Museum occupied the building in 1978 when city staff moved into the new city hall on Santa Clara Street. We

       first opened our doors to the public in 1979. Major remodeling and renovation took place through 1984.

4.    There are five galleries:

            a. HALL OF HISTORY--teak floors; Chinese rice matting ceiling; oak shutters; chandeliers; catering kitchen used

                 for temporary exhibits.

            b. SOUTH GALLERY--formerly the Mayor's office and police station used for permanent exhibits on Vallejo

                 History.

            c. STAIRCASE OF SEA POWER--1/4 scale model of the bow of USS SAGINAW, first ship built at Mare Island in

                 1859. Murals on walls depict famous ships built at Mare Island and various industrial activities over the years

                 (a key to the murals is at the top of the staircase). Submarine periscope at the top of the staircase goes up

                 through the roof and can be rotated around for a view of the City and Mare Island. The mural map of Mare

                 Island opposite the periscope has a key at the bottom to describe the various scenes depicted.

            d. THE HERITAGE CHAMBER--former City Council Chamber, now an auditorium, dedicated to the history of

                prominent women in Vallejo.

            e. SAGINAW GALLERY--displays Navy material associated with Mare Island.

5.     Restrooms are located in the South Gallery and on the second floor. There is an elevator for those who might not

         wish to climb the stairs.

Send mail to Leonard Orona  with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Last modified: 2-7-2007 (Sponsored by a Grant from the Bookworm Educational Supplies Store & Castles Information System)