About The Sausalito Historical Society
The Sausalito Historical Society collects and preserves art, artifacts, photographs and printed materials that document Sausalito’s history; provides access to the collection for public and academic research; and develops publications and outreach programs to inspire local interest in Sausalito’s history to educate the visiting public and enrich the community.
The Sausalito Historical Society is looking for your Sausalito photos of bygone days. We would like to preserve and add to our online collection memories of the past. Please contact the Historical Society if you would like to share you photos.
Sausalito’s Native American Heritage (Pre-1775)
A typical Miwok home
Illustration from National Park Service
The Coast Miwok people established numerous settlements around present-day Sausalito, with their main village "Liwanelowa" located near today’s downtown area.
Archaeological evidence suggests continuous habitation for over 3,000 years before European contact. The Miwok constructed dome-shaped homes using tule reeds and willow branches, strategically placing their villages near fresh water sources and fishing grounds.
Their maritime expertise included building specialized tule reed boats for fishing and bay transportation. Major village sites were located along what is now Richardson Bay, Caledonia Street area, and the waterfront district. The Miwok developed sophisticated fishing techniques using nets and weirs, hunting deer and small game in the hills, and harvesting acorns from extensive oak groves.
They maintained extensive trade networks with neighboring tribes, exchanging bay shells and seafood for obsidian from inland tribes. Their seasonal movements followed food sources, with winter villages in sheltered areas and summer camps near fishing grounds. Sacred sites included burial grounds in the hills and ceremonial locations near water sources, though exact locations remain protected.
By Rip Hunter
Sausalito Historical Society
3 Exhibit Spaces Feature Historical Displays our History
Phil Frank Exhibit
Exhibit Spaces maintained by the Society feature in depth displays about Sausalito history and include:
The Phil Frank History Research Room
The Downtown Ice House Historical Exhibit
The Historic World War II Marinship Exhibit at the Bay Model.
See below for hours for each location
SHS Board of Directors:
Stanford Hughes, President
Michael Wiener, Vice President
Sharon Seymour, Secretary
Peter Bowes, Treasurer
Roberta Maloy
Nick Roby
John Cox
Lauri Flynn
Rip Hunter
Alice Merrill
Brit Thurston
Adrian Brinton
Jerry Taylor, President Emeritus
We are always looking for people who want to be involved with the History of Sausalito and its residents new and old. If you would like to join us, please contact us at the addresses below.
How to Reach the Sausalito Historical Society:
We’re happy to announce that the Sausalito Historical Society Exhibit and Research Room will re-open on Monday, August 2 to the public. Our hours will be Monday, 10-5 and Wednesday 10-1. A docent will be available to help you with your research request. City Hall is asking everyone to wear a mask in the building. For now, we will not be open on Saturday mornings as in the past because City Hall is not open on Saturday yet, so will be open on Mondays instead.
Sausalito City Hall
Sausalito Historical Society
The Phil Frank History Research Room
420 Litho Street, Sausalito, CA, 94965
-Mondays from 10 am -1 pm
-Wednesdays from 10 am -1 pm
-2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month 12-3 pm
P.O. Box 352, Sausalito, CA 94966
415 289-4117
Sausalito Ice House Visitors Center & Museum
Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
780 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA 94965
415-289-4117
The Historic World War II Marinship Exhibit at the Bay Model
Open when the Bay Model is open
https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center/
Search this Web Site for Information about Sausalito's History:
Additional information about specific Sausalito Historical Society’s Digitized Collections are available in the Museum Online Catalog
The California Digital Newspaper Collection contains over 500,000 digitited issues of California newspapers and is an excellent resource for more information about the history of Southern Marin County and Sausalito.
The Sausalito Historical Society is a 501(c)3 organization Tax ID # 94-277123