Clarke Historical Museum

Welcome to the Clarke Historical Museum

The mission of the Clarke Historical Museum is to celebrate the rich and varied history of Northwestern California by preserving, sharing, and interpreting that history in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, engage the mind, and stimulate the imagination.

Whether a tourist or a local, a stop in Old Town Eureka is not complete without a visit to the Clarke Historical Museum.

Founded by Eureka High School teacher Cecile Clarke, the museum has been housed in the landmark Bank of Eureka building since 1960. The Clarke Museum proudly displays the rich history of Humboldt County, which includes vibrant Native American cultures, gold rush settlements, the lumber industry, prosperous ranching, farming and livelihoods wrung from the sea. Walking through period rooms and changing exhibits, visitors can glimpse Victorian elegance, remarkable craftsmanship, and everyday work, home, life and play from Humboldt County’s past.

We look forward to making your next visit to Humboldt a historic one!

Museum Brochure

DID YOU KNOW: Originally named the Clarke Memorial Museum after her parents,
it was renamed to become the Clarke Historical Museum in 2001!

Starting April 18th, 2023, we will be operating under our summer hour schedule and will be open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm, and closed on Mondays.

Clarke Historical Museum will be open late during these Old Town Eureka events:

Friday Night Markets
Fridays 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
July - October

Eureka Arts Alive
1st Saturday of the Month
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Clarke Historical Museum is hiring. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Quickly, easily, and safely donate to the museum through PayPal using the yellow button below!

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Current Exhibits

New in the Main Hall:
Stitched in Time: Humboldt County's Quilted History

New in Nealis Hall:
Weaving Wonders: Exceptional Design
Wiyot People, Places, and Practices
The Becker Collection
Traditional Legacy: Baskets from the 1800's

New in the Emmerson Room:
Fall Harvest in Humboldt County

Upcoming Events

Friday Night Market every Friday through October 27th
Museum is open during Friday Night Market!

Haunted Rail Tour begins on October 13th! See the events page for more details

Arts Alive is the first Saturday every month, Shirley Laos (Yurok Tribal Member) will be doing a demonstration on basket materials.
Museum is open during Arts Alive!

1st Saturday Lecture Series
Saturday, October 7th
2:30-3:30pm
Online ONLY
YouTube Link coming soon!
Jerry Rohde

Haunted Rail Tour
Begins Friday October 13th!
See event page for details!

More Digital Goodies
Ask a Curator Video Series
Clarke TikTok Videos
Behind the Scenes at the Clarke
Gather Post-Screening Panel
HHS 2020 Presentations

We're in the News!

The Clarke Historical Museum would like to thank the readers of the North Coast Journal for voting us Best Museum in Humboldt County in 2022. Your support is appreciated and so important to us, and we are honored to have earned the title!