The Mendocino Preservation Fund

The Mendocino Preservation Fund is dedicated to safeguarding the town’s architectural heritage. We monitor and help inform public agency decisions, support preservation efforts, and take legal action when necessary to defend Mendocino’s unique historic character.

Background

The Board of Supervisors for the County of Mendocino unanimously adopted the Historical Preservation District Ordinance in 1973. The ordinance established the town of Mendocino as a historic district with a regulatory framework to preserve the historic architectural features of the buildings and the character of the town. The town is on the National Register of Historic Places (Number 71000165) and on the California Register of Historic Resources.

Save the Main Street Water Tower!

Our current focus is on preventing the demolition of the historic Main Street water tower. The town has already lost roughly 50 – two-thirds - of its iconic water towers that help make the town of Mendocino such a unique place to live and to visit. We’ve filed a CEQA lawsuit challenging the County’s decision to allow the removal of this water tower that was first built over 120 years ago and was moved to its location on Main Street 50 years ago because it was historic.

Donate Today

You can also contribute by sending a check to:

Mendocino Preservation Fund
PO Box 556
Mendocino, CA 95460

Or drop off a check at any branch of the Savings Bank of Mendocino County.

The Mendocino Preservation Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Current and Planned Projects

The Mendocino Preservation Fund is dedicated to safeguarding the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the Mendocino Historic District. Our current work includes updating the official list of historic structures for County staff and the Mendocino Historical Review Board (MHRB), as well as exploring thoughtful alternatives to demolishing the Main Street Water Tower.

We are also developing ways to support MHRB members in understanding established principles of historic preservation through a brief seminar or other voluntary learning opportunities. In addition, we hope to collaborate with the Kelley House Museum to provide historic facts and expertise to decision makers during the review of proposed building modifications.

Together, these efforts strengthen informed stewardship of Mendocino’s past and future.