A Community Update from CEO Marguerite Gong Hancock

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Many community members have invested time, expertise, resources, ideas, and heart to bring the Palo Alto Museum to life. When we shared news last month of the water intrusion in our building, you showed up again — with encouragement, technical expertise, financial support, and a firm belief in our mission. Community members, nonprofit leaders, donors, City Council and staff, and neighbors all reached out to say: We’re with you.

Thank you so much. Your support matters.

Now we are at an inflection point, and I want to be transparent about where we stand — and how we will move forward.

In Spring 2025, renovation of our historic 1932 Birge Clark-designed building was completed. On July 1, 2025, I stepped into the role as inaugural President and CEO to work closely with an incredibly dedicated Board of Directors. Since then, our team has been sprinting toward a much-anticipated February 2026 opening — designing exhibitions, confirming speakers and programs, developing education materials, and shaping seven “Little Big Ideas” to launch this Museum with energy and purpose.

As we prepared, we welcomed more than 1,000 visitors into the building for tours and talks. In December alone, more than 500 people joined our Community Sneak Peek and Open House. Our galleries were electric with ideas, civic pride, and curiosity. In response to invitations for input, visitors contributed hundreds of ideas on sticky notes. This Museum is being built by, with, and for the community — a place for Palo Alto stories that help us learn from the past, strengthen our community today, and inspire a brighter future. 

Then, in early January, heavy rains brought a water intrusion into the basement of our City-owned historic building. Portions of our artifact collection were directly impacted; the remainder was put at risk. As much as we hoped to open our doors as originally planned, our first responsibility was stewardship — of the building and of the collection entrusted to us. 

We made the hard but responsible decision to postpone the February opening. Exhibit deliveries were paused. Loans of artifacts to go on display were put on hiatus pending restoration of safe environmental conditions.  Installation schedules stopped. Engaging speakers and programs — months in the making — were put on hold. 

Additional rains in February soon revealed new intrusion points along another basement wall, confirming this unexpected difficulty would require further analysis and a comprehensive, long-term solution.

What We Know

Within days of the intrusion, the Museum started to consult with water specialists, architects, contractors, and City staff. Our team also dug into decades of records documenting prior water challenges in the basement. We found that the history of intrusions in the City-owned building is long, the causes are complex, and the attempts at mitigation multi-layered.

The path forward to a permanent repair requires waterproofing subterranean walls, improving site drainage — including water flow from Heritage Park — and installing robust dehumidification systems to preserve the collection for decades. We are commissioning an independent forensic evaluation to ensure we pursue a durable solution, not a temporary patch.

Preliminary assessments suggest City approvals and construction may take months, and will have operational and financial implications for the Museum. In partnership with the City, pending an agreement on scope, budget, timeline, and approvals, we will announce a new opening date by March 30.

Opening responsibly matters more than opening quickly.

How We’ll Keep You Informed

Starting in March, we will publish monthly progress updates so you can track exactly where things stand. We can’t wait to swing our doors open to welcome you and all our visitors. Our team is disappointed by the need to postpone the Museum’s public opening. But it’s essential to take the time to address this serious issue now.  When we confirm an opening date, you will hear it from us directly.

The Museum Is Already Here

We can’t wait to share our inaugural exhibitions, events and experiences with you. Exhibitions will include

• I Am Palo Alto — interactive stories of icons and unsung heroes
• Juana Briones — entrepreneur, healer, and advocate who defied the conventions of her time
• From Hooves to Hollywood — Palo Alto’s surprising role in movie breakthroughs and blockbusters
• Imagine a World Without Palo Alto — discover the people and ideas that changed the world
• The Life of Trees — nurturing nature and environmental sustainability

Events and experiences will include

• Common Ground –lively talks, discussions, and forums exploring pressing issues past, present, and future
• A Kids Zone for discovery and play
• Education in Action – onsite tours, field trips, curriculum, and hands-on activities. 

And right now, our  Museum In Your Pocket is live — a mobile experience for exploring Palo Alto stories anytime, anywhere. These stories have already been viewed 4,800 times — and counting!

Join Us This Spring

Responding to the building challenges with creativity and energy, we will pivot to bring the Museum out into the community.

Community talks about the Museum include:

• Sunday, March 1, 2:00 pm — Hosted by the Palo Alto Historical Association at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium
• Friday, April 10, 6:00-7:00 pm — Hosted by the Pacific Art League

Join us in March (stay tuned for dates) in the Museum Courtyard for unique experiences tied to our exhibits and building:

• Exploration of the Arnautoff Frescoes, guided by experts. 
• Juana Briones stories and activities designed for all ages.

Getting It Right

Opening a museum for the first time is a carefully orchestrated, complex process that takes long planning horizons. Water intrusion paused all of that work, and we will need to re-schedule a myriad of details.

When you walk through our courtyard and front doors for the first time, you will experience a museum come to life, a place for discovery, connection, learning, and joy. A museum that reflects Palo Alto’s imagination and courage and impact. We can’t wait to share it with you.

Our responsibility now is to open on solid ground — environmentally, operationally, and financially. Getting these fundamentals right will ensure we can serve the community for generations.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us. Thank you for believing in the Museum’s vision. We are building something significant and lasting — together.

With gratitude and determination,

Marguerite

Marguerite Gong Hancock

President & CEO