Adobe Supporters Racing the Clock to Collect Needed Funds

Unless another $16,000 is raised by the end of April, the , General Mariano Vallejo’s former ranch and an important piece of early California history, will be shuttered by this summer, its contents transported to a warehouse in Sacramento.

Since last fall, the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association has been scrambling to raise money for the state park off Adobe Road and has collected about $19,000 out of the $35,000 needed to keep the adobe open.

At least $70,000 a year is needed to run the historic park, which features a small museum and hosts a each September. The fundraising goal was significantly helped in December when the association received a grant from an anonymous donor in San Francisco to match up all fundraised funds up to $35,000. 

But the clock is ticking on the project, with just two and a half months left to raise the money.

“If the park is not kept open, it will deteriorate and be more likely to be vandalized, said Philip Sales, membership chair of the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association. “Thousands of fourth graders will lose the opportunity to learn about early California history at the park."

The association is working on drafting a donor agreement that they want to present to the California Department of Parks by late April or early May. The agreement, coupled with a check for $70,000, would be given to the state. That would keep the historic adobe open for the next year and buy more time for the association to create an operating agreement to take over permanent operations of the park starting fiscal year 2013.

The Adobe served as the center of General Mariano Vallejo's 66,000-acre working ranch between 1836-1846 and had up to 2,000 people working there, growing crops, slaughtering cattle for hides and tallow.

Want to help the Petaluma Adobe State Park reach its goal? Buy a ticket for their fundraiser, which will be held at Lagunitas on Tuesday, February 14. Entry is $40 and covers food by Lombardis Catering, two drinks (beer, wine or soft drinks), live entertainment and silent auction items, including a plane ride for four over the Wine Country and North Bay.

Tickets can be purchased online or for $45 at the door. The group is also asking for tax deductible donations, which can be made through the Petaluma Adobe website or mailed to S/PSHPA Save the Petaluma Adobe Campaign, PO Box 1702, Sonoma CA 95476.