Each summer, the Healdsburg Museum’s docents present History Talks in the Plaza on Saturday mornings at the gazebo. In 2024, programs run from June 1st to August 31st. Each Saturday there will be two presentations:

10:00 – 10:30
The Healdsburg Story                           
This quick overview of the town’s past is perfect for newcomers and visitors. You’ll learn the town’s history from Pomo Village to Destination Healdsburg.

10:30 – 11:30             
Healdsburg Matriarchs: Josefa Carrillo Fitch and Isabelle Simi Haigh  
Claire O’Neill and Tina Ius
Josefa Carrillo Fitch and Isabelle Simi Haigh were both young women forced to take responsibility for their family’s business interests after the deaths of the men in the family --  Josefa in the years right after the Gold Rush and Isabelle at the dawn of the 20th century. Josefa inherited the Sotoyome Land Grant and arrived in Healdsburg to find that squatters had taken over large swaths of her land. Isabelle found herself going from Queen of Healdsburg Rose Carnival to running Simi winery in a matter of a few months in 1904. She managed the winery until the early 1970s, through many ups and downs, not the least of which was the prohibition years. Hear all about the lives of these two strong women who were matriarchs of Healdsburg families.