This Place Matters
This Place Matters is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which encourages preservation activists across the nation to seek out and celebrate the most beloved historic buildings in their communities. San Rafael Heritage adopted the orange “This Place Matters” signs to wave at our chosen locations. We start holding one-hour demonstrations on a Friday in May, which is Historic Preservation Month, and we continue on one Friday a month throughout the summer. People passing by see our groups of signs and it makes them more aware of the rich legacy of historic buildings in their midst.
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PREVIOUS DEMONSTRATIONS:
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is considering locations for a new San Rafael Transit Center. We have discovered that one of the potential sites could involve the demolition of two elegant, well maintained Queen Anne Victorians at 633 and 637 Fifth. near Hetherton. Built in the 1890’s, these homes now function as offices. Since they are on a street that is close to the SMART station and the bus station, as well as an entrance to our downtown by car, they serve as as a gracious historic welcome to San Rafael. They are listed on the city’s Historical/Architectural Survey, but that doesn’t necessarily protect them.
Read full story here
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TPM Demonstration at the Depot June, 2018
Boyd House Painting Completed!!!
The Boyd Gatehouse with its fresh, new paint.
San Rafael Heritage was consulted about the color choice. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. |
San Rafael Heritage President Cynthia Landecker and City of San Rafael employee Cindy Ray at the unveiling of the Boyd Gatehouse new paint job on February 6. Cindy supervised the restoration of the Boyd House.
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Previous Posts
Make a Difference Day is a national day of helping others-a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. San Rafael celebrates the day as the culmination of its own season of service projects from April to October. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make a Difference Day is an annual event.
San Rafael Heritage members demonstrate to say "THIS PLACE MATTERS"
in front of Mission San Rafael on July 1st.
We got support from beeping cars of the hundreds that passed,
a few passersby, and a nice time on the avenue!
A Beautiful Boyd House Tour on May 7

To kick off our “This Place Matters” campaign, which highlights significant historical buildings that San Rafael can’t live without, we sponsored a spring tour of the elegant, city-owned, 1879 Boyd Gatehouse. We were joined by Marcie Miller of Save Marin’s History, who gave a great talk on the history of the Cook/Boyd families who were associated with the house and its big sister, Maple Lawn. Visitors were able to view the charming architectural details (and bedroom sinks) of the interior. It was a beautiful day, with Marcie’s lavender lemonade on the porch. Thanks to all who came and special thanks to all who helped put on this successful event: Tracie, Marcie’s sister, Leslie Simons and Amy Likover and all the other SRH board members! Especially special thanks to Cindy Ray of the City’s Department of Public Works for being so helpful in making sure the house was ready for visitors.
We’ll be carrying our bright orange “This Place Matters” signs once a month at other historic San Rafael locations during the summer and will announce times and locations. We hope you join us! We do have a good time.
We’ll be carrying our bright orange “This Place Matters” signs once a month at other historic San Rafael locations during the summer and will announce times and locations. We hope you join us! We do have a good time.
SRH's "Historic Preservation Corp" prepares to review buildings listed in the City's 1977/1986 Historic Preservation Ordinance inventory. The idea is to see how the properties have changed since the last inventory was updated and see if there are additional properties that should be included on the list. |

Our most recent “This Place Matters” demonstration was held on
Friday, Sept. 30
This interesting building was the old Milani’s bar, now the Spitfire, 848 B Street, corner of B and Third. Enjoy this wonderful old building with its cool witch’s hat! More info will be forthcoming.