Spotlight on the Collection

In addition to a rich collection of photographic images of San Anselmo, the Historical Museum has a smaller collection of interesting artifacts which are not often on display due to our limited space. Discover some of these hidden treasures and recent acquisitions in this Spotlight on the Collection.

Proposed Motel

A motel on the corner of Ross and San Anselmo Avenues was proposed in this architectural drawing by architect Harold Stoner  who envisioned a 3-story motel building surrounding a courtyard with a swimming pool. Richard McLaren and his sister Ruth McLaren Thornton explored this idea when considering what to do…

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Old San Anselmo Days Banner

Remember the good old days when a dollar really went somewhere. This Old San Anselmo Days Banner promoted a San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce event in June 1962 when merchants rolled back the prices to those a half century before or offered other discounts.  There were store-front decorations with prizes…

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1909 Postcard

The image on this postcard was taken July 4, 1909 during the festive San Anselmo celebration. The building is the one we see today at 419-425 San Anselmo Avenue, home to Desta, Fig Garden and Reflections. The heavily remodeled building is the oldest building on the block, constructed in 1908…

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Cognac Babas Can Label

This can label was purchased on eBay. What? A label written in Swedish for Cognac Babas made in San Anselmo by M. Bertauche? It is an interesting bit of San Anselmo’s history that a little research uncovered. Maurice Emile Bertauche was born in 1903 in Courtenay, France. In a 1980…

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Leonhart’s Level

An eBay listing and subsequent purchase for the Historical Museum’s collection led to an interesting bit of San Anselmo’s history. The rare item is a small level, marked “Leonhart’s Level,” with the patent date of February 27, 1906. The United States Patent Office records identify the patent holder as Rudolph…

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Nick’s Dairy Milk Bottle

This quart milk bottle from Nick’s Dairy was a purchase on eBay for the Historical Museum’s collection. Dairyman Nicholas Sorich was born in 1892 in what was then Austria and today is Croatia. He and his wife Genevieve were the operators of Nick’s Dairy in San Anselmo at the end…

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United Nations Flag

UN Flag

In a controversial decision (3-2 vote), the San Anselmo City Council adopted resolution No. 1339, Proclamation of Mundialization of the City of San Anselmo, on April 27, 1971.  The proclamation resolved that the Council recognized the right of citizens to extend their responsibilities of citizenship beyond national boundaries, and to demonstrate…

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Goldsmith Catcher’s Mitt

Goldsmith Catcher's Mitt

This catcher’s mitt belonged to George Anselm Sousa (1913-1995). George played catcher for the San Anselmo Merchants, the local semi-pro team which was organized in 1934. The buckle back mitt is a Goldsmith FingerGrip, Model WC, with a Bill Killefer endorsement. Goldsmith produced these mitts from about 1924 to the…

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