Dear Museum friends,
Opening the Palo Alto Museum is an extraordinary one-time opportunity, something worth doing right. When water intruded on the building earlier this year, it paused our public opening. But our work has not stopped. We are working closely with the City of Palo Alto and a team of specialists on the Roth Building’s waterproofing and moisture control as well as Heritage Park drainage, and I’m grateful we are making real progress on all three.
While our physical doors are still closed, we are remaining open in other ways: hosting events on our beautiful campus and out in the community, from our Joanna Ho and Birge Clark programs to a display at the City’s Chili Cook-Off celebrating July 4th, all featured in this newsletter. And our Museum In Your Pocket keeps a rich array of Palo Alto stories close at hand, 4,800 views and counting.
We are also growing in important ways. Two remarkable new Board members, Peter Hébert and Dana Tom joined us this month. You’ll get to know them both in this issue.
The Museum will be in the community this weekend, ready to meet families and neighbors of all ages. Come join us!
Thank you for moving forward, together!
Warmly,
Marguerite Gong Hancock
(Supported by a founding leadership gift of the Thoits Family)
President & CEO
THIS MONTH AT THE MUSEUM
Can you spot the horse-drawn wagon full of girls in white dresses rolling down University Avenue? That’s just one of the images we brought to this year’s Chili Cook-Off and Summer Festival, where Palo Alto showed up in full force to celebrate together, this year marking America’s 250th birthday on July 4th.
Our booth featured a rare 49-star flag from our collection plus an array of flag-themed photos from the City of Palo Alto Archives, spanning more than a century of hometown pride, from a World War II–era flag that flew over Hewlett-Packard’s first company-owned building to a handmade Bicentennial flag stitched from a bed sheet by Guinda Street neighborhood kids in 1976.
Huge thanks to current and former board members Karen Holman, Pat Sanders, and Steve Staiger, and to Museum staffer Jeff Day, for spending their holiday out in the community bringing this history to the crowd. And to everyone who stopped by our booth: thank you for showing up and celebrating Palo Alto’s story with us.
Photos (above): Guy C. Miller City of Palo Alto Archive/Palo Alto Historical Association
LAST MONTH AT THE MUSEUM
Inside the Garden Gates: Birge Clark’s Living Legacy
The Museum’s benefit Inside the Garden Gates: Birge Clark’s Living Legacy on June 28th was a resounding success.
More than 50 people attended an intimate Sunday morning journey through the private gardens of historic Birge Clark homes, led by local architect Dan Garber, FAIA.
Special thanks to Dan, the Birge Clark homeowners, and the donors who made the event possible. More than $20,000 was raised for essential repairs needed to protect the 1932 landmark Roth Building and the Museum’s collection, moving us closer to opening the Museum’s doors to the community.
Summer Outdoor Adventure Storytime with Joanna Ho
On Saturday, June 20th, the Museum courtyard came alive with stories and sunshine for our Summer Outdoor Adventure Storytime! Families gathered for a reading from New York Times–bestselling author Joanna Ho, who shared her newly released picture book, A Room With a View, followed by hands-on, camping-inspired activities that had kids diving right into the adventure. Special thanks to our partners at Linden Tree Books for making books available on-site, and to Joanna for sharing her story with our community.
PEOPLE IN THE MUSEUM
Welcome to the Board: Two New Voices Join Our Journey
Two new Board members have just started their terms, bringing fresh perspective and deep commitment to the Museum’s mission. Please join us in welcoming — Peter Hébert and Dana Tom.
Peter Hébert
“I first moved to Palo Alto from New York City in 2011 and lived in an apartment overlooking the Palo Alto Museum,” Peter said. “With a deep commitment to this local community and a lifelong passion for history, especially the history of Palo Alto and Silicon Valley, I am honored to support the launch of this lasting institution.”
Peter Hébert co-founded Lux Capital on a bold premise: the greatest impact comes from backing the most scientifically and technologically ambitious founders — people developing things most thought would never work, yet that would someday become intrinsic to daily life. Today Lux manages $7 billion across AI, biotech, robotics, energy, and defense, with first investments in category-defining companies including Hugging Face, Anduril, and Cognition. He serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula and the Palo Alto Museum.
Dana Tom
“I’m excited to join the Palo Alto Museum early enough to help shape its direction, testing ideas and adjusting course as we learn what works,” Dana said. “The museum has a rare opportunity to show that Palo Alto’s story of innovation is really a story about community, about how the way we live, learn, and collaborate together is what makes this place extraordinary.”
A Stanford electrical engineer, Dana Tom has called Palo Alto home since 1998. He served nine years as an elected trustee of the Palo Alto Unified School District and has held leadership roles with Palo Alto Players, the Rotary Club of Palo Alto, and the PTA at Duveneck Elementary. Dana brings expertise in strategic planning, board governance, and building collaborative teams.
Learn more about our two new Board members
SUPPORT US
Leave Your Mark: The Brick Program Returns
The Palo Alto Museum is housed in one of the city’s most beloved historic buildings: the 1932 Roth Building, a masterwork by architect Birge Clark which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Now you can become part of that story we’re building together, while giving vital support that helps the Museum open and enables us to serve this community.
Engrave a commemorative brick with a name, a date, a dedication, or a favorite quote, and leave your mark for generations of visitors to come.
Your legacy, your gift to the future. Choose your brick and give today to become part of Palo Alto’s history
JOIN US
Keep Exploring and Join Us
What’s next? Preview what’s ahead with Little Big Ideas, our prototype exhibits and experiences for the 2026 opening. Help shape the future with Palo Alto 2044, a call for art and stories imagining our city’s next chapter.
The Palo Alto Museum is shaped by, with, and for this community.
Every gift moves us closer to opening our doors. Donate today and help turn these ideas into impact.
Photo © Marco Zecchin