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Free Public Library of Petaluma, Petaluma, CA

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Museums

Free Public Library of Petaluma

A research library and history museum in a 1904 Carnegie building in downtown Petaluma, focused on local history.

20 4th St, Petaluma, CA 94952 · Petaluma, CA

About Free Public Library of Petaluma

The building at 20 Fourth Street in Petaluma houses a research library and history museum run as the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum. It opened in 1904 as a Carnegie free library and was later repurposed in the 1970s. The museum holds exhibits on local history, hosts community events, and offers guided walking tours of downtown led by costumed docents. Admission to the museum is free, and the research library is open by appointment on specified days.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #research library
  • #Carnegie building
  • #Petaluma

What's around here?

The closest stops to Free Public Library of Petaluma, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Petaluma

    No admission fee

    Sonoma County river town with a historic downtown, agricultural roots and easy access to Wine Country.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Helen Putnam Regional Park

    Check prices

    A small regional park southwest of Petaluma with oak-shaded trails, ridge views, and a fishing pond.

    1.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Sightseeing

    Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

    Under $25

    A large Mexican-era adobe ranch house on the east edge of Petaluma, run by California State Parks.

    3.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums

    North Bay Air Museum

    Check prices

    Aviation museum based at Sonoma Valley Airport, with aircraft on display and a flight-booking option.

    10.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums

    Museum of Sonoma County

    Under $25

    A nonprofit art and history museum in downtown Santa Rosa, housed in a historic 1910 post office.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums

    di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

    $25–$50

    A Napa Valley contemporary art center pairing Northern California art with a sculpture-filled nature preserve.

    16 mi awayMore like this

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