WILLITS, CA., 5/30/17 — Imagine the year is 1914, and you’re traveling from Ukiah up to the Little Lake Valley. As you reach Main Street going to Willits, you might be surprised how many of the buildings look familiar to a visitor from 2017 — and how much has changed!

Photos from the Mendocino County Museum’s website for the exhibit.
Starting June 10, you can visit the Mendocino County Museum and take a time-traveling trip down Main Street, through large scale photographs, oral histories of long-time residents, and other historical materials. The exhibit, “Main Street: Then & Now” will focus on architecture, commerce and culture, using archival materials. Each historic site will feature a large photograph with interviews and other materials to bring that location to life. Although the focus is Willits, the exhibit announcement notes that “The Main Street of Willits has much in common with the “Main Streets” of communities throughout Mendocino County, where the buildings live as varied lives as their residents.”
The exhibit kicks off with an opening reception June 10, from 1 – 3pm, where you can talk with the curators, explore historic Main Street, and enjoy some refreshments.
More information about the exhibit can be found on the Mendocino County Museum’s website. The display will remain up for visitors until November, 2017 and is thanks to the support of the Judy Pruden Historical Preservation Fund of the Community Foundation of Mendocino County.

Flyer for the upcoming exhibit.