Some of our previous exhibits

2004 - 'Read all about it!' - opened on February 20 in the Museum gallery and ran through August 8, 2004.

Each day, newspaper headlines and articles introduce readers to the issues of the moment. Historic events, local activities, controversies, and commentaries are delivered to our door and read in the intimacy of our homes. Reading the newspaper is a consistent and familiar activity that many of us take for granted. Yet, the production of daily newspapers, and of less frequent versions in the past, is a complex blend of human spirit and constantly changing technology. Community newspapers create access to the world and promote local connections, and they have done so locally for over 120 years.

This exhibit explored the pressroom and personalities involved with our local newspapers, demonstrating the prominent role of local newspapers in providing the primary source of information to a community. Headline placement, accuracy, well-chosen words and photographs all create a primary impression of events for an entire population. These and other decisions are made at a rapid rate by a stream of reporters, writers, photographers, editors, columnists, illustrators, press operators, and publishers who live among us and work on an unforgiving schedule that accelerates around celebrations as well as tragedies. This exhibit looked at how our local newspapers, from the first edition printed in Solano County in 1850 to our current daily editions, have built both a successful relationship and reflected our local issues of time and place here in Solano County.

2003 - "An Enchanted Christmas by Dolph Gotelli" -

Designer Dolph Gotelli transformed the Vacaville Museum gallery into a whimsical wonderland of Christmas past. Dolph has assembled one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of 19th and 20th century seasonal toys, ornaments, decorations, ephemera and folk art. In this special exhibition, he chose delightful treasures from his collection to create miniature fantasy worlds of childhood and Christmas traditions.

Through his imaginative spirit and renowned design skill, Dolph will create holiday vignettes by combining individual pieces of his collection into themed windows. Whimsical toys of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, rare books and games, international figures of Santa Claus, greeting cards, advertisements, puzzles and other ephemera all work their way into scenes of Christmas fantasy and holiday celebrations.

2003 - Don Birrell by design - Don Birrell is a designer who has fused art and order in our community, and across our world, for almost 50 years. He sees through a prism of good design and has dedicated his career to sharing with us the view through his refreshing lens. The basic premise that elements of design effect the human experience never leaves Don's mind. He is committed to the understanding that line, form, balance, color and clarity instill human responses. In his own words, " Design enhances our relationship to the world, it promotes emotional change in the environment of space."

A visionary designer who consistently looks ahead for inspiration, Don graduated from the prestigious Chouinard Institute. He broke new ground as the Director of the Crocker Art Museum, where his visionary aesthetics to two notable exhibits, "Good Design 1952" and "Conquest of Space." It is a credit to the entrepreneurial spirit of the Nut Tree owners that Don was hired in 1953 as a full time designer for the growing restaurant and retail complex. For the next 37 years, Don designed or directed billboards, interior spaces, environmental layouts, package designs, art exhibits, and retail signage. He even carefully arranged food presentations based on color and texture. His insistence on visual clarity literally shaped an environment enjoyed by millions.

From the great seal of the City of Vacaville to the strong graphics rumbling down freeways on Raley's trucks, Don's reach extends far beyond the Nut Tree. He has consulted on a wide range of projects and designed dozens of well-known logos. His 'watercolor drawings', as he calls them, are wonderful views of the world as we would like it to be.

Many of his pieces have been reproduced and 'giclee' prints are available in the Museum Store for purchase.

2002 - Common Threads - This exhibit revisited the sewing rooms, mercantile stores, ballrooms and laundry lines that were once meaningful elements of local community, exploring Solano County clothing from the wardrobe through the wringer.

View a gallery of clothing from the exhibit

2001 - Solano Celebrates - Fairs, Festivals and Fun - A colorful, artifact filled presentation of 11 past and present community gatherings throughout Solano County.

2000 - Telling Our Story - Solano at 150 years - A celebration of the sesquicentennial of Solano County, one of the original 27 counties of California.

1999 - Solano's Gold - The People and Their Orchards - A photo essay by Phillip Adam, documenting a year in the orchards of Solano County. Also featured was a farm wagon, assorted farming tools and a re-creation of a fruit packing shed.

Companion book: Solano's Gold / The People and Their Orchards - Conversations with 42 farmers and ranchers and photos documenting the past and present fruit industry in Solano County.

1998 - The Harbison Legacy - Tracing the family history and contributions of an early Solano County ranching and business family who settled here in 1854. Featured was a re-creation of Luther Harbison's ranch office.

1997 - Nut Tree Remembered - A colorful exhibit featuring photos and artifacts from the Nut Tree, a California landmark from 1921 until it closed in 1996. Featured was an original Dining Room booth and table setting for four.

Companion book: Nut Tree Remembered - The Cookbook - Information, history, 40 recipes and more than 100 photos and graphics from the Nut Tree Restaurant and Retail Stores.

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1996 - Vaca Valley Visions: A Sense of Time and Place
- Focus/Solano - Sharing Our Heritage

1995 - Solano Water Series - The Flow of History
- Solano Water Series - Tales of the Delta

1994 - Solano Water Series - Artists On Water
- Solano Water Series - Berryessa Valley: The Last Year

1993 - Spanish Voices of Solano County

1992 - 100 Years of Homes and Gardens
- Evolution of a Community

1991 - Willis Jepson, A Personal Landscape
- The Way It Was At Home, Solano County 1941-1945

1990 - Disaster! The Exhibit

1989 - Solano Women
- Kaleidoscope Solano - Folk Art Traditions

1988 - From Rising Sun to Golden Hills - The Japanese-American Experience
in Solano County
- Christmas Delights

1987 - John Muir - His World
- Etiquette and Edibles, Victorian Dining in Solano County

1986 - Colorful Kite Tales
- GramLee Collection of Early 20th Century Wood Engravings
- Crate Expectations
- Reflections of a Changing Earth - California Indian Art

1985 - Quilts - American Folk Tradition in Solano County
- A Walk Through Yesterday
- Childhood Memories

1984 - Rivers, Railroads and Rolling Hills (Inaugural Exhibit)
- 1920's - 1930's Kitchen (mini exhibit in the museum lobby)

1983 - Dietz Irons displayed at "Get Acquainted" reception
- Victorian Dolls (mini exhibit in the museum lobby)