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Shadelands Ranch Museum: A Step Back in Time

Discover Walnut Creek's past at Shadelands Ranch Museum, a preserved 1903 home showcasing local history and offering engaging events.

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The Shadelands Ranch Museum, located in Walnut Creek, California, offers a glimpse into the early 20th century life. This beautifully preserved 1903 Colonial Revival home, once owned by pioneer Hiram Penniman, showcases local history with original family furnishings and exhibits about the region's agricultural past.

A brief summary to Shadelands Ranch Museum

Local tips

  • Check the Walnut Creek Historical Society's website for special events like the Pumpkin Patch (October) or Holiday Faire (November/December).
  • Visit on a Sunday or Wednesday for docent-led tours to gain deeper insights into the museum's history and collections.
  • Consider a weekday visit for a quieter experience, as weekends can be busier, especially during events.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    Several County Connection bus routes (1, 7, 92X, 93X, and 301) stop near Shadelands Ranch Museum. From the nearest bus stop at Ygnacio Valley Rd & Walnut Blvd, walk east along Ygnacio Valley Road for approximately 0.2 miles. The museum will be on your right. A single ride on County Connection costs $2.25.

  • Driving

    If driving from downtown Walnut Creek, head east on Ygnacio Valley Road. The museum is located at 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, on the right-hand side. Free parking is available in the front lot (approx. 35 vehicles). Additional parking, including handicap parking, is available behind the grounds in a parking lot for the office at 2700 Ygnacio Valley Rd. To reach the lot, turn north at Via Monte Avenue, then make a left turn into the parking lot.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From Walnut Creek BART station, a taxi or ride-share (Lyft/Uber) will cost approximately $15-$25 and take about 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Direct the driver to 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road.

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Discover more about Shadelands Ranch Museum

Shadelands Ranch Museum, a Colonial Revival house completed in 1903, stands as a captivating time capsule of Walnut Creek's past. Originally the family home of Hiram Penniman, an early pioneer who arrived in Walnut Creek in 1850, the ranch encompassed 500 acres of fruit and nut orchards in the fertile Ygnacio Valley. Penniman, seeking to provide a secure future for his unmarried daughter Mary, constructed this grand redwood-framed residence, which later became a cherished historical landmark. The house blends diverse architectural elements to create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living space. The wrap-around porch, adorned with classic white columns, invites visitors to imagine life on a bustling ranch. Inside, the house is furnished with many original family pieces, offering an intimate glimpse into the Penniman family's daily life. From the hand-crank Stella music box to the Victorian-era silver, glassware, and china, every detail evokes a sense of history and charm. Mary Penniman, who managed the ranch after her father's death in 1897, lived in the house until her death in 1909. The property then passed to Penniman's other daughter, Bessie, and her husband, Albert Johnson. While the Johnsons primarily managed the ranch from their home in Chicago, Shadelands continued to thrive as a fruit and nut farm, with prunes being its most profitable crop. In 1970, the Gospel Foundation donated the house and 2.67 acres of land to the City of Walnut Creek, with the Walnut Creek Historical Society appointed as administrator. Since opening to the public in 1972, the Shadelands Ranch Museum has served as a vital center for preserving and interpreting local history.

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