Kelley House Museum

Kelley House of Mendocino, California, built by William H. Kelley in 1861

William Kelley was about 31 years of age when he arrived in Mendocino. He was born on Prince Edwad Island,Canada, in 1821. The oldest of eight children. He died on the 5th of December 1895, after an illness of several months.

His wife, Eliza Lee Owens was born in Cardigan Price Edward Island, April 8th, 1825. She married William Kelley in 1855. Eliza Kelley died in 1914 at age 89. William & Eliza Kelley had four Children, all of which lived and were born in Mendocino.

His reason for coming to California was the discovery of gold. So in 1850 he set sail for San Francisco, in search for gold. Not liking the sprawling, congested city, he went up to the Sacramento River, to Benecia, where he found work as a ship builder. William Kelley actually arrived in Mendocino on July 19, 1852, on a ship that brought the mill building and equipment to Mendocino Bay. He signed on as the ship's carpenter of the brig Ontario. Kelley operated retail businesses in Mendocino and also became part owner in the mill operation. His dedication to local charities and drive to develop the town has earned him a title as one of the founding fathers of the village.

The Baptist church that stands on Ukiah street was first built in 1894 by William H. Kelly for his wife Eliza Kelly. William and Eliza came to Mendocino after being married in Eliza home town on Prince Edward Island. While it took some adjusting for Eliza to get used to the rural life in California she was an unselfish character and found ways to find happiness in the new tasks that faced her.

A year after her marriage to William his mother and father came west to Mendocino and declared that they could not stay in Mendocino unless there was some religious life, thus was the start of the religious movement. The Kelly family started a little church that consisted of eight members which eventually turned into the Presbyterian church that now stands today.

Eliza was a deeply religious woman and always wanted a church of her own Baptist faith. So not to long after the Presbyterian church got on its feet, William had the Baptist church built for her. It is also rumored that the church was built so she could play the organ. She was not allowed to play the organ in the Presbyterian church.

Eliza used the church in many different ways and it became a great source of happiness and fulfillment in her life. The church was active until ElizaÍs death in 1914. Eliza is remembered as a generous and caring person always willing to help those in need.The church has since been converted into a health food and stands today as a monument to her generosity and a silent witness to her fidelity to the Lord.

The restoration of the Kelley House began in 1975 with the restoration of the exterior. The interior, which has also been renovated, houses a museum of local history. The Mendocino Historical Research, Inc., currently operates this museum.
The Kelley House Museum has a great collection of archives, which includes an outstanding collection of 1800's photographs of historic houses and buildings in Mendocino, family portriats and family heritage. For those people who want to know more click here. The Kelley House also produces historical publications and stages exhibits. These exhibits are changed periodically.

To reach The Kelley House, send to: 45007 Albion Street, P.O. Box 922, Mendocino, California 95460, (707) 937-5791

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