Saving Point Reyes: How an Epic Conservation Victory Became a Tipping Point for Environmental Action Policy
Jun
29
2:00 PM14:00

Saving Point Reyes: How an Epic Conservation Victory Became a Tipping Point for Environmental Action Policy

Gerald Warburg, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Virginia, will present a discussion of his new, highly acclaimed history of the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and the decades-long effort to save this iconic region from over-development and environmental degradation.

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Peter Coyote: Reflections on an Esteemed Career
Aug
17
2:00 PM14:00

Peter Coyote: Reflections on an Esteemed Career

Join Suzanne Lang of NPR in conversation with one of the most recognizable personalities in American culture, Peter Coyote. Since 1967, Peter has worked in over 100 films, provided Emmy-award winning narration in 160 projects including many Ken Burns historical documentaries, written five books, in addition to being an influential activist and Zen Buddhist. Guaranteed to be a fascinating afternoon.

Located at the Tomales Town Hall.

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Preserving Local Fisheries. Supporting Coastal Communities.
Oct
26
2:00 PM14:00

Preserving Local Fisheries. Supporting Coastal Communities.

  • Tomales Regional History Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

No crab for Christmas. Cancelled salmon season. Rockfish under stress. Our local fishing industry is hanging on by a thread. Come get a status report from local commercial fisherman Dick Ogg of the Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Marketing Association, who keeps track of it all. He is a fierce advocate for the industry, sustainability, and what we want to happen… and not what we don’t.

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The Coast Miwok: A Living Tribe, History, and Land Stewardship
Apr
27
2:00 PM14:00

The Coast Miwok: A Living Tribe, History, and Land Stewardship

The Coast Miwok people, now known as the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, have an enduring presence as a living community for 4000 years. This engaging talk will showcase the importance of cultural resilience and stewardship of the land in Sonoma and Marin Counties, from ancestral traditions to contemporary projects.

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150th Birthday Party for Tomales Town Hall
Oct
13
3:00 PM15:00

150th Birthday Party for Tomales Town Hall

Let’s celebrate! Built and run entirely by volunteers, the Tomales Town Hall is a fun and vital part of life in Tomales, West Marin, and the Sonoma Coast. We’ll tell the quirky, humorous, and moving story of how locals built one of the oldest continuously used public spaces in California, how successive generations have added to that story, and what the next chapter holds. Not to mention a party that’ll be remembered for years to come.

Watch the YouTube video of the event!

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The North Pacific Coast Railroad
Aug
25
2:00 PM14:00

The North Pacific Coast Railroad

  • Tomales Regional History Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The North Pacific Coast Railroad served Marin and Sonoma Counties from 1875 until 1907. Running from Cazadero to Sausalito, remnants of the route are still visible today. Charlie Siebenthal, president of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society will take us on a photographic tour of our local narrow gauge railroad.

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Shipwrecks of Marin
Jun
23
2:00 PM14:00

Shipwrecks of Marin

Marin County’s coast is a graveyard of ships. Its steep rock-bound shores, treacherous currents, and frequent fogs have been the doom of many! Brian K. Crawford, author of Shipwrecks of Marin, has detailed more than four hundred of these wrecks and will describe six of the more significant and interesting wrecks, full of danger, pathos, and drama.

Watch the YouTube recording of the event here

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The Burbank Family
Apr
28
2:00 PM14:00

The Burbank Family

The Burbank Family has had roots in our local community for over 200 years. Luther Burbank transformed our world with his contributions to horticulture. Come hear about their fascinating story from member of the family, Meg Burbank.

Watch the YouTube recording of the event here

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You thought you knew FOG? (2024 Lecture Series)
Feb
25
2:00 PM14:00

You thought you knew FOG? (2024 Lecture Series)

  • Tomales Regional History Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

You thought you knew fog? There’s so much more to this phenomenon in nature, myth, and mystery. FOG. Clarifying the cloudy, fuzzy, misty, murky, soupy thing we live with. Dr. Dennis Baldocchi, Professor of Biometerology at UC Berkeley serves as our beacon.

Watch the YouTube recording of the event here

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Hog Island Oyster Company Turns 40!
Oct
15
2:00 PM14:00

Hog Island Oyster Company Turns 40!

What do 2,319,269 shucked oysters, 10,700,000 planted oysters and 94,259 bowls of clam chowder have in common? Our neighbor in Marshall, Hog Island Oyster Company! For 40 years, Hog Island has been an outstanding steward of our environment while providing heaps of fun and deliciousness for residents and guests. Come hear their story and join the party!

Watch the YouTube recording here

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The Highland Cows of Tomales
Aug
27
2:00 PM14:00

The Highland Cows of Tomales

  • Tomales Regional History Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

See the recording on YouTube here.

Once home to an estuary that fed into Tomales Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Tomales Station is now 500 acres of rolling hills full of grass and clover providing the perfect home for the Highland cattle so visible from town. Long horned, shaggy, and double-coated, Highlands are primarily raised for meat, which is regarded as the highest of quality and low in cholesterol.  Ted and Laddie Hall,  through their Long Meadow Ranch, invest in extensive local conservation efforts.   At their Farmstead restaurant in St Helena,  Long Meadow Ranch’s celebrated American farmhouse cuisine is rooted in the Hall family tradition of showcasing ingredients fresh from our farm, ranch, and vineyards.  Come hear the story behind these incredible, iconic cows!

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A New History of Tomales Bay
Jul
23
1:30 PM13:30

A New History of Tomales Bay

See the YouTube recording: Dewey Livingston: A New History of Tomales Bay

Dewey Livingston, California historian and author,  Director of the Jack Mason Museum of West Marin is our speaker.  Dewey in known for collecting rich oral histories,  deep studies of archives, photos, maps and documents.  He has roamed the Internet searching for new information about our local culture for 40 years. A crowd favorite,  Dewey has written a book about Point Reyes and Tomales Bay, and shares many of his insights and newly-discovered bits of history.  Not to be missed!

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The Great Drake Hike (Revisted!)
Jun
10
10:00 AM10:00

The Great Drake Hike (Revisted!)

In 2022, Michael Von der Porten of the Drake Navigator Guild led a hike to the site where it is believed at Sir Francis Drake landed on our shores. The hike was such a success that it is being held again! No reservation necessary. The hike is 3 miles or so round trip on hard sand. Meet at Drake’s Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center at 10:00a. (ATTENTION!! This is NOT the main Pt Reyes Visitor Center!) The event will begin with a short history of the research and discovery. You can brig a chair and snack. Wear layers and comfortable shoes. This is a public hike so bring friends. NO DOGS!

Additional dates available with full onsite lecture: Sat July 22; Sat Aug 26; Sat Sept 30 10:00a - 2:00p

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A Celebration of Bodega Bay’s Fisherman’s Festival After 50 Years!
Apr
2
1:00 PM13:00

A Celebration of Bodega Bay’s Fisherman’s Festival After 50 Years!

Sponsored by the Rancho Bodega Historical Society                                                      

It's the 50th Anniversary of Fish Fest, a beloved community event.  How did it begin? Hear unique stories from over the years!  DON’T MISS!  A special exhibit of 50 years of Fish Fest posters will be on display at the Tomales History Center from mid-March to mid-June!   The Exhibit Reception was on March 19 at the Tomales History Center in Tomales.

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The Landscape History of our Prehistoric Coast
Mar
12
2:00 PM14:00

The Landscape History of our Prehistoric Coast

See the YouTube recording: The Landscape of our Prehistoric Coast

Did you ever wonder what formed the Elephant Rocks ?  Did you know you could once walk to the Farallones?    How did Tomales Bay itself come to be?  Join Dr Scott Mensing, Geographer and Paleoecologist for a walk through time to look at the formation of Tomales Bay and our coast.  

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