News
Sonoma’s Role in American Military History is Focus of New Book by Sonoma SHP Docent Travis Wagner
A new local history book, Military Honor on Trial: The Saga of Joseph Hooker and George H. Derby, by Travis P. Wagner, brings a dramatic 1851 Sonoma feud to life. Set against the backdrop of Gold Rush California, the book explores a bitter conflict between two strikingly different army officers stationed in Sonoma: the ambitious, arrogant Joseph Hooker — who would later achieve Civil War fame as “Fighting Joe” — and George H. Derby, a quick-witted comic on the rise as one of America’s first celebrity humorists. Read more.
Nature Festival Welcomes Community
California State Parks once again hosted a wide array of fascinating exhibits in the annual Nature & Community Fair on Saturday, August 8th, 2026. Local environmental and civic organizations, as well as State Parks and SPParks, invited participation in environmental conservation, restoration, preservation and education. Read more.
Children’s Day Festival & Movie Night – Nacho Fiesta
Children's Day, on June 6, 2026, was a wonderfully fun event. Every guest and community partner was having a great time, and thankfully, it was a perfect night to be outside! The crafts were a hit, the nachos were a hit, and “Nacho Libre” was a hit. Read more.
Tea in the Historic Toscano Dining Room – Oh, so Tasty!
Many thanks to our devoted time travelers who joined us for Tea in the Toscano Kitchen on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Everyone was beautifully dressed on a beautifully sunny day, and, of course, the tea and treats were devine. Our annual fundraising event was sold out way in advance, a testament to the value of Sonoma’s treasured historic sites. Read more.
Toscano Tea SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! THANK YOU. The historic Toscano Kitchen, part of Sonoma State Historic Park, will host the third annual Toscano Tea on May 31, 2026. Read more.
History Lives on at Rancho de Petaluma
On Saturday May 9th, Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park ushered visitors back in time to the 1840's for Living History Day. Park staff and volunteers wore period attire to represent vaqueros, traders, and rancho workers. Visitors enjoyed participating in the crafts and activities that occurred at General Vallejo's Petaluma Adobe during the rancho period including rope making, wool spinning, basket weaving, blacksmithing, and woodworking. Read more.
Women’s History Crawl Rocks the Courtyard – Again
The second annual Women's History Crawl returned to the Barracks at Sonoma State Historic Park on a sizzling March Saturday, offering a free, interactive afternoon devoted to the stories of women who shaped California's past. Hundreds of participants and visitors from near and far explored with their Bingo cards and scored the many fabulous prizes. A great time was had by all. Read more.
Docent Organization Quarterly Meeting – March 14, 2026
Next Docent Quarterly meeting will be March 14, 2026, at 10 am in the Barracks A/V room. Read more.
Volunteer Profile: “The Many Guises of Jerry Pozo”
This Member Profile written by Jenna Dolcini and Marie McNaughton, and published in the Sonoma Historian newsletter of the Sonoma County Historical Society, beautifully spotlights one of SPParks' most enthusiastic volunteer docents. Read more.
A Magical Evening at Holiday on the Northern Frontier
The staff at Sonoma State Historic Park (SHP) were thrilled to welcome our local community to Holiday on the Northern Frontier on a clear, cold evening in Sonoma on Dec. 13, 2025. More than 600 guests joined us throughout the night, with hundreds exploring our festively decorated historic buildings. Read more.