We have exciting news! On behalf of the Museum Board, I’m pleased to announce that the rehabilitation of the historic Roth Building is now complete, and we have full occupancy. With this milestone achieved, we’ve officially begun designing the museum’s exhibits, community gathering spaces, a café serving Heritage Park, engaging learning centers, and the permanent home of the City of Palo Alto Archives.

Inside these walls, the extraordinary stories, photographs, papers, and artifacts that capture Palo Alto’s rich and far-reaching history will come to life through innovative and inspiring exhibits. We are committed to our vision: a museum that celebrates Palo Alto’s and Stanford University’s global impact, all while honoring the people and events that shape our community.

Support for this vision has been strong. Last year, we were honored to receive a $1,000,000 gift from the Thoits Family to fund the Executive Director position. We’re now in the final stages of hiring an exceptional leader to guide the Museum into its next chapter.

But the journey doesn’t end here. While we’ve completed the building’s rehabilitation and secured a 40-year lease, we have now embarked on the critical next phase:

• Fundraising for professional staff and expert consultants to design exhibits and programs using the latest in museum methods and technologies
• Building capacity to support daily operations
• Expanding our work with the outstanding Teen Council as they continue recording oral histories… and so much more

We hope you will come by to see the beautifully restored Roth Building at 300 Homer Avenue, designed in 1932 by Palo Alto’s own Birge Clark. This former site of the Palo Alto Medical Clinic is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic Arnautoff frescoes adorning the front wall have been lovingly restored to their original brilliance by professional conservators. We anticipate opening our doors to the public in spring 2026.

This progress is made possible by a passionate and talented group of individuals: our Board of Directors, dedicated professional staff, Honorary Chairs, Advisory Board, the amazing Teen Council, and many generous volunteers.

Palo Alto’s first History Museum will be a welcoming space for all—a place to learn, share, imagine, be inspired, and create. It will bring to light both the well-known and untold stories that define our community and connect us to a wider world.

Now is the perfect time to join us. Share our excitement with friends, contribute your talents, and help bring this vision to life. Visit our donation page or contact us to learn how you can make a meaningful financial contribution to creating a new Palo Alto landmark.

Let’s shape the future together.

Warmly,
Rich Green
Board President