The Marin History Museum is launching an exhibit featuring the early 19th century Spanish and Mexican settlers who built ranches in present-day Marin County.
“Rancho Roots: The Californio Legacy of Marin” opens Saturday at the Boyd Gate House at 1125 B St. in San Rafael. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.
The exhibit features interactive displays and family stories about the times. It also includes artifacts such as books, rosary beads and a sword.
Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is free for museum members. A $5 donation is suggested for non-members.
Celia Golden, the Marin History Museum's director of programming, holds a sword that was owned by Ygnacio Pacheco at the museum in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Pacheco owned the Rancho San Jose in Novato during the 1800s. The sword is among the artifacts in the exhibit "Rancho Roots: The Californio Legacy in Marin." (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
John Rising and Boyd Gate House manager Jennifer McGeorge-Rising install the Marin History Museum's upcoming exhibit "Rancho Roots: The Californio Legacy in Marin" in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
Rosary beads from the Vallejo family and a prayer book from the Marin History Museum collection sit in a display case at the museum in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
A book recording brands used on ranches in Marin County sits on a table before being placed on display at the Marin History Museum in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
A 19th century map shows the ranchos in Marin County at the Marin History Museum in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)
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Celia Golden, the Marin History Museum's director of programming, holds a sword that was owned by Ygnacio Pacheco at the museum in San Rafael, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Pacheco owned the Rancho San Jose in Novato during the 1800s. The sword is among the artifacts in the exhibit "Rancho Roots: The Californio Legacy in Marin." (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)