Peña Adobe Historical Society

Peña Adobe Historical Society "Making California History Come Alive" For more information visit us at www.penaadobe.org.

We host a monthly Open House for the Pena Adobe, California Historic Landmark No. 534, the 1st Saturday of every month (except January) at Pena Adobe Park, 4699 Peña Adobe Rd, Vacaville, CA 95687.

The Peña Adobe Historical Society will celebrate Native American Heritage on Saturday, September 5th from 11am – 2pm at ...
09/01/2026

The Peña Adobe Historical Society will celebrate Native American Heritage on Saturday, September 5th from 11am – 2pm at Peña Adobe Park in Vacaville.

The Cache Creek Conservancy was founded in 1996 with a mission to restore, preserve and protect the Cache Creek watershed. The Tending and Gathering Garden (TGG) located at the Creek Nature Preserve in Woodland, CA. is a collaborative effort between the Native American community and the Conservancy to demonstrate traditional land and plant management practices of California’s native people. Visit the Conservancy’s booth and learn about the important work they do.

Meet Fernando Borrayo, Flute Maker and Spiritual Artisan. Each flute he has created from natural woods is born from a place of reverence and a companion for meditation, healing work, personal reflection, and sacred expression. Whether you are a seasoned player or just beginning your journey, come meet Fernando and explore this world of the Sacred Language of Sound. Let the Flutes speak to you and remind you of your connection to Mother Earth, your Ancestors, and to your own Breath.

Suscol Intertribal Council is a community-based, 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 1972 seeks to bring healing between the existing population and the indigenous people who historically inhabited Napa Valley and nearby counties.

Meet Charlie Toledo/Towa, native to New Mexico. She is the Executive Director of the Suscol Intertribal Council and has extensive experience as public speaker, presenter, and community organizer in regional, statewide, national and international forums. Since 1982 she has worked in alternative healthcare fields, as well as background in mediation for individuals, families, and organizations. She has been an organic gardener since 1978. She has lifelong commitment to social justice and international work on Human Rights and Environmental social justice issues. Charlie is an active participant of several Human Rights and Climate Change boards including an advisor to W.I.N and consultant status with the UN.

Ron J. Jackson, Jr., is a bestselling author, historian, speaker, and former award-winning journalist who has been writing professionally for 38 years. He is the author of numerous books, including the ground-breaking “Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend”, winner of the prestigious Award of Merit for nonfiction from The Philosophical Society of Texas. Ron’s book “Blood Prairie” tells of the Oklahoma’s settlers who fought to conquer the frontier. Indians refused to be conquered. Blood Prairie pays tribute to the sacrifices of those who lived on Oklahoma’s enchanting, yet often violent, prairie.

Native Americans have a deep cultural and spiritual connection with birds, which play significant roles in their traditions, beliefs, and ecosystems. The California Hawking Club was formed in 1971 by a small group of dedicated falconers to preserve and promote the public image of the art of Falconry and to assist in the conservation of birds of prey. Meet Christopher Kerr, Director of the California Hawking Club and visit with falcons and hawks perched under the oak trees at Peña Adobe!

Come to the Peña Adobe and tour the former home of the Peña family. Learn how Native Americans used tule to make baskets and mats. Make a corn husk doll or a shell necklace on a Native American pump drill! Learn about the Native Americans who lived here long before the Vacas and Peñas arrived in 1841.

The Peña Adobe Regional Park is located off I-80, at the Peña Adobe exit. This event is free! For questions call (707) 447-0518 or e-mail us at [email protected].

The Chief Solano Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will unveil its “Am...
08/12/2026

The Chief Solano Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will unveil its “America 250! Patriot Marker” at the Peña Adobe, Vacaville, on Sunday, Aug. 16 to celebrate the Spanish patriots in California who contributed to the success of the American Revolution.

The event, set from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. A reception and fiesta will follow the unveiling of the bronze plaque.

Several DAR members will speak, including outgoing California State Regent Christina Ramos of San Francisco, a former Vacaville resident and the descendant of a Revolutionary War surgeon, Silas Allen.

The celebration will include mariachi music by Serenatas Directo of San Jose; dancers from the Vacaville Ballet Company; and a horse demonstration led by Marco Del Campo of Cherry Glen Winery and Horses. Members of the Sacramento Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will serve as color guards.

A number of DAR members trace their lineage to the Spanish patriots residing in California who donated money in support of the American Revolution. Two members of the Chief Solano chapter — Kim Kloppenburg Clary and her cousin, Anna Peña Bandettini, both of Vacaville —trace their lineage to Juan Felipe Peña, who with Manuel Cabeza Vaca, co-founded the city of Vacaville.

07/28/2026
The Pena Adobe Historical Society presents a Celebration of Japanese Culture on Saturday, August 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p...
07/28/2026

The Pena Adobe Historical Society presents a Celebration of Japanese Culture on Saturday, August 1st from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pena Adobe Park

The Peña Adobe Historical Society invites the community to Rhythm of Renewal, a special cultural celebration exploring the traditions, artistry, and enduring spirit of Japanese culture through music, history, and hands-on experiences.

During the late 1800’s Vacaville had a robust Japanese community. Vacaville became a cultural hub for their community. Not only was this a place of worship, it was also a place to celebrate their customs and traditions.

Set against the backdrop of the historic Peña Adobe Park, this three-hour event honors the many communities that have shaped Vaca Valley—from the Indigenous Patwin people to the Peña and Vaca families, to the Japanese American community whose resilience and cultural traditions continue to enrich the region today.

Guests of all ages are invited to experience interactive cultural stations throughout the afternoon, including:

Meet fifth generation Peña descendants, tour the oldest fully restored building in Solano County, the Peña Adobe. Meet our Native American docents. Experience live Taiko drum performances, traditional Japanese drum making, Shishi Mai (Lion Dance) and its tradition of blessing, protection, and good fortune, Japanese festival regalia, Origami and paper arts and a community Blessings for Renewal Tree, where visitors may share messages of hope, healing, gratitude, and peace.

More than a festival, Rhythm of Renewal is an invitation to experience Japanese culture as a living tradition—one that is preserved through craftsmanship, music, storytelling, and the connections we build with one another.

Join us at Peña Adobe for an afternoon of rhythm, history, and renewal as we celebrate the living traditions that help connect our past, strengthen our present, and inspire our future. Peña Adobe Historical Society docents will be available to lead tours of the Peña Adobe, California historical landmark #534 built by the Peña family in 1842 and the adjacent Mowers-Goheen Museum.

This event is free!

Visit the Pena Adobe Historical Society at the Vacaville Farmers’ Market on Saturday July 25th!Grab your market basket a...
07/24/2026

Visit the Pena Adobe Historical Society at the Vacaville Farmers’ Market on Saturday July 25th!

Grab your market basket and head down to Creekwalk Plaza at Andrews Park for the Vacaville Farmers’ Market! It all happens every Saturday morning from 8am to 12pm, year-round and admission is FREE!

Visit the Peña Adobe Historical Society booth on Saturday, July 25th at the Farmers Market and learn about the Peña Adobe!

The Peña Adobe will be open on Saturday August 1, 2026 from 11am-2pm, when we will celebrate Japanese Culture. During the late 1800’s Vacaville had a robust Japanese community. Listen to Taiko drummers, learn the paper art of Origami, experience the Lion Dance and its tradition of blessing, protection, and good fortune and more! It all happens on Saturday August 1st.

Join us at the Peña Adobe Historical Society booth on Saturday, July 25th at Creekwalk Plaza and learn of Vacaville’s rich heritage and the Japanese American history of the Vaca Valley!

Happy Independence Day!Happy America 250th!  Many businesses, including The Peña Adobe Historical Society will be closed...
07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day!

Happy America 250th! Many businesses, including The Peña Adobe Historical Society will be closed on July 4th weekend to observe Independence Day. It’s a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

We will be joining the City of Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary at Vacaville’s free 4th of July celebration Saturday, July 4, 2026, beginning at 6:30 PM at the CreekWalk Plaza at Andrews Park.

The evening will feature live entertainment by Fog City Swampers, a classic rock band, followed by a fireworks display (weather dependent). Park visitors will enjoy a variety of food vendors, non-food vendors, and community organizations, including Daughters of the Revolution (DAR), Rowland Freedom Center, Peña Adobe Historical Society, Vacaville Heritage Council, and more! Guests are also encouraged to capture memories at Pixcbooth. The fireworks show follows the concert at approximately 9:15 to 9:30 PM.

We hope to see you all on Saturday August 1st when we will reopen the Peña Adobe and celebrate the Japanese American History of the Vaca Valley. During the late 1800’s Vacaville had a robust Japanese community, known as the Tokyo of the West. Come to Peña Adobe Park and learn of their history, tour the historic grounds, listen to Taiko Drumers and learn Origami on Saturday August 1st from 11:00am - 2:00pm.

Peña Adobe Historical Society welcomes back the Buffalo Soldiers and the Solano County Sheriff’s Posse, Saturday, June 1...
06/04/2026

Peña Adobe Historical Society welcomes back the Buffalo Soldiers and the Solano County Sheriff’s Posse, Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 11:00am to 2:00pm!

From Sacramento, Company G of the 10th Cavalry, better known to history as the Buffalo Soldiers, will be riding out of western history and into Peña Adobe Park again this year. The Buffalo Soldiers are a living history group that recreates the black cavalry units that served in the Old West from 1866 to 1891. The Soldiers will be available to chat with park visitors and display artifacts of the Buffalo Soldiers’ history while dressed in the uniform of that time period.

In addition to the Buffalo Soldiers, the Solano County Sheriffs’ Posse will be at Peña Adobe! The Sheriffs’ Posse has been part of the Solano County Sheriffs’ Office for more than 70 years! The Posse volunteers who use their horses and equipment to help the department with public relations, education, search & rescue, emergency and disaster services as needed.

Come to the Peña Adobe Park, bring a picnic lunch and meet Robin Turner and the Sheriffs’ Posse and see their amazing horses! Learn the important role horses played when the Peña and Vaca families were raising cattle back in the mid 1800’s on their ranch which later became the city of Vacaville.

The Silverado Handweavers and Spinners Guild from Napa Valley will be on hand. Established in 1973, the guild's volunteers bring together people who share a love for fiber arts and creative expression. Meet Jody Lane, President of the Guild and stop by to watch Guild members spin yarn and weave cloth. In addition to the demonstrations, they have a variety of looms and tools available to educate our visitors.

Meet Ron J. Jackson, Jr., bestselling author, historian, speaker, and former award-winning journalist who has been writing professionally for 38 years. He is the author of numerous books, including the ground-breaking “Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend”, winner of the prestigious Award of Merit for nonfiction from The Philosophical Society of Texas. Ron’s book traces Joe’s story from his birth in Kentucky through his life in slavery to the Texans’ battle for independence to his eventual escape and disappearance into the shadows of history. Ron will bring his newest book “The Ride”, the improbable life of Freckles Brown, a bull named Tornado, and the most historic eight seconds in rodeo!

Joining the fun will be the Vacaville Acoustic Jammers! The Jammers will provide music during the event! Under the direction of Terry and Leslie Cloper, the Jammers offer musicians of all styles and abilities the opportunity to play acoustic instruments and sing together and meet for open jam sessions at Vacaville’s McBride Senior Center on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday every month.

Park docents will be available to lead tours of the Peña Adobe, California historical landmark #534 built by the Peña family in 1842 and the adjacent Mowers-Goheen Museum. This event is free!

The Pena Adobe Historical Society will celebrate Hispanic Heritage on Saturday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pena A...
04/24/2026

The Pena Adobe Historical Society will celebrate Hispanic Heritage on Saturday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pena Adobe Park

The Peña Adobe Historical Society welcomes from Vallejo, the dancers of “Ballet Folklorico Canela” to Peña Adobe Park. Dancing since the young age of five, Founder Abigail Hernandez, has led these talented dancers for over 13 years. Sharing their talent, and heritage Abigail Hernandez's students from ages 5 and up can be seen performing in Solano, Napa and Contra Costa Counties.
Joining the day’s activities is Whip Master Francisco Pulido of Dixon performing his roping skills! Francisco is from Rancho El Zapotillo in Dixon, California and has been roping for over 40 years. Meet Francisco and his horse Brownie.

Listen to El Mariachi Los Jaguares de Willis Jepson, the only academic mariachi ensemble in Solano County! Featuring violins, viola, trumpets, guitarrón, vihuela, and guitar, Mariachi Los Jaguares presents an energetic setlist of traditional Mexican music and other styles to delight everyone! Led by local musicians and educators Sergio Cabada and Justin Au, the musicians of Mariachi Los Jaguares are extremely dedicated and talented 7th and 8th grade students at Willis Jepson Middle School in Vacaville.

Welcome back to Peña Adobe, Alex and Paula Santurio, who have been rescuing animals for over 10 years! Visit Alex and Paula, meet their recently rescued bunnies and help this local couple find the loving homes these bunnies deserve!

Join a docent-led tour of the Peña Adobe and Museum, make a corn husk doll to take home, or practice calf roping as the Vaqueros did in the 1800's, all while enjoying a delicious churro from the “Churro My Heart” booth at this historic 6.4-acre park. This event is free!

The Peña Adobe is one of the oldest existing structures in Solano County, dating back to 1842, when the Juan Felipe Peña and Manuel Vaca families settled in Vacaville. The park is located in the picturesque Lagoon Valley off Interstate 80 at 4699 Peña Adobe Road. For more information, the Peña Adobe Historical Society can be reached at (707)470-9975 or at [email protected].

36th Rush Ranch Open House. Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:00AM - 3:00PMJoin Suisun City RPM and Solano Land Trust at Rush ...
04/11/2026

36th Rush Ranch Open House. Saturday, April 18, 2026 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Join Suisun City RPM and Solano Land Trust at Rush Ranch Open Space on Saturday, April 18, 2026, for the first-ever Infinity Fun Run, the official kick-off to the Rush Ranch Annual Open House event! Created in honor of Autism Acceptance Month, this event celebrates community, inclusion, and nature while showcasing Rush Ranch as an accessible natural treasure. Start your day with a timed 5K or an untimed 1-mile walk/run, then stay to enjoy all the family-friendly activities, demos, and experiences offered at the Rush Ranch Open House.

Solano Land Trust presents its largest community event of the year: the Rush Ranch Open House! The Rush Ranch Open House is free to all and packed with fun for all ages. Visitors can shop from local vendors and at the Rush Ranch Outfitters Shop for art, food from local farms, jewelry, and more. Kids and adults can learn about the natural and cultural history of Rush Ranch, play games, and do engaging science and engineering activities.

Guests will also get to meet the horses that live at Rush Ranch, see grazing cows, and take horse-drawn wagon rides with Access Adventure (including accessible options). There will also be guided walks of Suisun Marsh, which is part of Rush Ranch and home to many endangered species, going out throughout the day.

Stop by the Peña Adobe Historical Society's booth, make a corn husk doll or a shell necklace using a Native American hand pump drill! Meet Native American docents Armando and James and discover how the Patwin people lived here long before the Vaca and Peña families settled in the VacaValley back in 1841!

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Vacaville, CA
95688

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