Jerry Taylor/Sausalito Historical Society President
In 1993, the City of Sausalito celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its incorporation, the Sausalito Historical Society played a big role. With Phil Frank’s leadership, the Society created a historical exhibit in a fourth-floor, empty retail store in what was then the Village Fair, a collection of small unique shops. The building was originally known as Mason’s Garage, a four-story automobile parking garage for ferry commuters to San Francisco. The temporary exhibit turned out to be such a popular attraction to residents and visitors, that when the adjacent Casa Madrona Hotel purchased the building to create a modern, posh hotel, the residents, politicians and the Historical Society all looked for a way to continue the Historical Exhibit.
I’m a genuine Sausalito “Old-Timer”. I can remember when we actually bought ice, either in bags or blocks, using a coin slot on a cold storage building at the corner of Caledonia and Litho Streets. If you’ve been around town for 50 years, maybe you admired, or entered the building, beautifully repurposed as architect Michael Rex’s office.
In 1997, Michael donated the structure to the City of Sausalito for $1. Michael did not own the land under the building. Perhaps it could be moved to Dunphy Park for use as a children’s clubhouse? The Planning Commission rejected that suggestion. The landlord’s clock was ticking, it was “move it or lose it” if the building wasn’t moved away from Litho and Caledonia Streets by July 31, 1998.
Bingo! Cue the Light Bulb image. But wait…there’s another hurdle.
There were two potential locations to be considered/debated. The Marin Scope of June 2, 1998, reported: “The proposed site preferred most by the Community Development Staff, members of the Planning Commission and the Historic Landmarks Board, as well as many residents, is the intersection of Humboldt and Bay Street, adjacent to the Sausalito Yacht Harbor Boardwalk” (in the space west of the boardwalk near the parking lot). Unfortunately for those proponents, this location would have “required approval from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) … the State lands commission and the Army Corps of Engineers.”
Michael Rex told this writer that back then, he had quietly spoken with the BCDC, he’s sure that the Boardwalk location would have been approved. However, a special citizen’s committee adopted the position that the BCDC procedural path would have had an uncertain ending, and would definitely be too time consuming with the eviction deadline looming two months hence.
So, the site selected approved by the City was (is) across Bridgeway from the Village Fair/Casa Madrona. The moving deadline was extended. With Phil Frank’s enthusiasm, and the steady hand of Sausalito Historical Society’s President, Evert Heynneman, $34,000 was raised, the building was loaded on a heavy-duty trailer, and, at 5 a.m., Feb. 28, 1999, the Ice House was transported about 1/3 of a mile south and lifted onto a new foundation. The 1993 Centennial Exhibit was enhanced by Phil Frank and Joe Trois in its new home. It opened in 1999 as the Sausalito Visitor Center and Historical Museum. Staffing was supported initially by the Chamber of Commerce, later by the City’s Business Development Commission.
When Phil Frank passed away in 2007, his friends started a fund to honor him by rehabilitating the plaza adjacent to the Ice House. In 2015, the Sausalito Historical Society assumed responsibility for the project, raised a quarter of a million dollars, worked with the renowned local landscape architecture firm SWA, created a walkable timeline of Sausalito History, and installed attractive versatile seating. The Sausalito Art Festival Foundation commissioned a life-size bronze statue of Phil, complete with his cartoon bird friend: Bruce the raven. The private donors and civic organizations who made the Ice House Plaza possible are commemorated in the plaza by a sign which itself is a work of art. The Plaza opened in 2019.
In 2020, with the slowdown in tourism, we took the opportunity to focus on the content inside the Museum. Most of the displays had been created back in 1993 or 1999; new display techniques had evolved; new history had been made! So, we decided the beautiful new outside Plaza should be complemented with a beautiful new, modernized Museum inside. With the Chamber of Commerce moving into its own building in downtown Sausalito, the Historical Society is focusing on what it does best. The south side of the building now welcomes visitors to “Explore Sausalito History”.
Upon entering the Ice House, your eyes will be drawn to the back wall—images of eight famous Sausalitans will lure you toward the simple control panel: select an image and enjoy the mini-documentaries of your choice. The left side wall tells the Sausalito story by focusing on the “water”, the right side wall uses the stories of “people and families”. There are artifacts, photos and information panels on the walls and on railings. Additional videos, and links to in-depth information through the use of QR Codes enhance our ability to inform, educate and entertain.
Outside, along Bay Street, a new bench, landscaping, and a plaque will honor Sausalito volunteers Herb Weiner (former Mayor), and Leonard Kaprelian (Sausalito Art Festival mainstay).
We intend for the Ice House Museum to be open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hopefully, this will be established when you are reading this column.
The Sausalito Historical Society also maintains a museum about Sausalito’s WWII shipyard, Marinship, located inside the Bay Model. Our offices, research and exhibit rooms are on the top floor of Sausalito’s City Hall, 420 Litho Street. Check our website for the hours and current exhibits. Call us at 415 289-4117 to learn more about us, what’s new, volunteering opportunities, and how to support our programs.
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