Cloverdale Historical Society and Museum, Sonoma County, California.

The Gould-Shaw house is perhaps the oldest documented dwelling in Cloverdale and one of the rare surviving examples of Gothic Revival, an architectural style of the Victorian era, yet this design was seldom used in Sonoma County. The architectural significance of the house was noted as early as 1877 when Thomas Thompson published the first atlas of the Sonoma County giving the Gould-Shaw house the distinction as one of the best of its style. Most Gothic Revival houses were built between 1840 and 1879. They were more complex to construct with fanciful decorative wood cut ornamentation made possibly by the newly perfected scroll saw. Features of the Gothic Revival style include the roof as normally side-gabled, but less common is the front gabled or hipped roof as is the Gould-Shaw house. Other distinctive features are the verge boards that make an inverted V beneath the eaves of the steep gables; one-story porches were common as was a blend of wood and masonry construction, although wood-frame carpentry usually dominates the Gothic Revival Style. Also, houses of this design have open cornices with the rafters either exposed or sheathed parallel to the overlying roof. As an even greater gem of architectural design and restoration foresight, the Gould-Shaw house exemplifies the less common elements of Gothic Revival, as it is front-gabled with boxed cornices and enclosed rafters and of brick construction. The brick was manufactured locally and laid in the American Common Bond pattern with flush mortar joints. Also, unique to the period were the hand forged, square nails evident in the framing and roof construction that are now sold as house souvenirs with the profits going towards the up keep of the museum.

The first to acquire the 198-foot parcel of land in 1859 was Thomas J. Gould, a bachelor blacksmith. Little is known of the original building that was little more than a brick 'box' with a lean-to kitchen and a 'privy' set up for Gould in 1862. When Thomas A. Shaw purchased the house in 1869 certain additions and subtractions were made. The South porch was removed and the South bedroom window was covered with brick. The 'ghost' of the window is still visible in the brick pattern seen from the outside. The bricked in window was probably a result of the close proximity of a building to the south of the house. When the Shaw family finished their remodeling, the character of the house had greatly improved. It was now the classic Gothic Revival house that we know today. With the addition of two bedrooms, a living room and a parlor that were divided in half by an open wall similar to the one that now divides these rooms, the house was ready for it's seven occupants; Sarah and Thomas Shaw, their four children and a boarder. Other points of interest are that the back room was most likely the original kitchen.

However lovely the changes were, the Thomas Shaw family did not live long at this residence. The entrance of Isaac Ellis Shaw (no relation to Thomas Shaw) to Cloverdale in 1874 changed the business milieu of the area. He was a former school teacher but decided to enter the mercantile business with J.H. Bowman who had built the first grist mill (to grind grain for flour) on Sulphur Creek. Their business ventures were successful. When Isaac Shaw's first wife died leaving him with two children, he later met and married Minerva McCray, a Cloverdale resident, and they had daughter Gertrude and a son Charles. It was in 1874 that Isaac Shaw purchased the house. As a note of interest, it was Isaac Shaw who founded the Cloverdale Banking and Commercial Company in 1884 and served as president until 1894. Another Cloverdale founder, William T. Brush served as bank president until 1907. Isaac's son Charles went on to manage the bank until his demise in 1940. Cloverdale old times still remember Charles.

The city of Cloverdale continued to flourish and first acquired electricity in 1887; the house was wired soon afterwards. The original electrical wiring remained until 1984 when the Historical Society had the house rewired.

Later, a second story was added, approximately over what is now the parlor and the back room. To reach the second story, a stairway was built just left of the fireplace, where there is now a built-in cupboard on display. However, due to the range of the 1906 Santa Rosa earthquake, the fireplace and chimney were damaged beyond repair. A new fireplace and chimney were built on the north wall where the organ now rests. This fireplace also began to show signs of disrepair from more recent earthquake damage and the effects of mildew. The final undoing of the fireplace was the sinking effect due to lack of a foundation. It was literally pulling away from the building causing stress to the interior and exterior walls. Naturally, it was torn down at the beginning of the restoration project in 1996.

The Cloverdale Historical Museum was placed on the National Registry of Historic places. The honor of national status has given the Museum a clout that has paid off for as early as 1995, the museum began to show signs of its' age and deterioration. It was at this time that the artifacts were put in storage and the process of restoration began. To aid this process, a grand from the National Trust for Historical Preservation gave the Historical Society a start at fund raising for the repair and restoration of the Gould-Shaw house.

The restoration project continued from June 1996 through June 2000. Due to the aid of a very special patron, Nancy Ogg, the project flourished. Also, through the volunteer efforts of our members and the generosity of Del Web volunteers, as well as many others, the work paid off. During this time, the research office was placed across the street in the city hall annex, but remained open for visitors on Wednesdays until the restoration project was completed. The current research office was once a rental apartment, an addition to the original building sometime in the 1940's. As the house had a variety of owners and renters, it has undergone many changes and alterations. As an example, the second story was removed in the 1940's. It was this time, due to the demise of the owner that a demolition effort was made to pull down the house. A large strong cable was placed around the house. They pulled and pulled, but the house refused to budge. It is testimony to the strength and skill of the builders of the 19th century. And we thank them!

When the museum was examined for restoration, many things came to light that were not visible earlier. Consequently, it was discovered that the foundation had been cut away on the interior when a new floor was added in 1907. The floor was not attached to the walls, nor was the roof. In the process of correcting these errors, floors, walls, ceiling, lath, and plaster were all removed and replaced. Only the original brick walls remained. The second chimney was removed and the wall bricked in. The north side porch was removed so that the roof beams could be installed. Today, cities require retro fitting for old buildings in public use. The museums new foundation footings, posts and roof beams now as as a 'cage' that will hold together in the event of an earthquake.

For the interior decor: wallpaper, paint, door trims and fixtures were chosen to best replicate the original house at the turn of the century. With the completion of the restoration project the artifacts, in storage, were returned to the museum for display. Perhaps the most personal aspect of local history is its people. Local residents whose parents and grandparents once lived in Cloverdale donated many of the furnishings, paintings, porcelains and artifacts now owned by the museum. As these were personal items, they continue to live on display as testimony to the lives of those early Cloverdale residents who owned and used them.

The exterior is a garden lot with its own unique history. Originally, the garden was part of the Shaw property. Due to the benevolence of Art Foster, ten thousand dollars was donated towards the purchase of the garden. It was Art's wish to honor his mother, Mae Foster with this gift. She was once an active member of the Society. In her memory, a plaque rests in the garden. One of the most fascinating plans to raise funds for the garden was the "Square Share" sold at ten dollars each where individuals purchased one square foot and planted something of their choice. The garden maintains these plaques that can be seen on tour. Also, a special recognition is due to Peter and Gladys Matrovich who carried the mortgage on the garden. Help, financial or otherwise is an important part of a Museum's success. Profits from the Grape Quilt raffles have helped to pay on the yearly principle. As of 2001, the mortgage for the garden is a little less than four thousand. As a note of interest, the mortgage for the museum building was paid off a few years back.

As it was intent of the Historical Society to return to the site to the original as much as possible, a very special feature of the garden was added; the Gazebo to emulate the first one which was located at the west end of the garden. Due to the efforts of Bob Laudie and J.B. Sacks as well as other volunteers, the construction of the current Gazebo came to fruition. A garden with a Gazebo is as much like the Victorian era was we can capture in the modern world. Guests of the Museum are invited to stroll the garden, sit in the Gazebo and remember what used to be.

There are so many more facts and stories about the museum's history. It takes a book or books to tell it all. Highly recommended are three texts: "Recollections of Cloverdale" by Bill Wilson (out of print, but in the library) "Cloverdale Then And Now, " and "Cloverdale Memories" by Marie Vadon Hill. Sonoma County is full of historical assets and we are among those who recognize the local and national significance.

The next goal for the museum is to build a carriage house to display the first stagecoach or more aptly, "the open mud wagon" that would carry six or seven people. It was a gift from the Mendocino County Museum in Willits. It ran from Cloverdale to the Geysers, a popular spa resort. The vehicle is in the process of restoration due to the efforts of Marge Grey and others. Included in the carriage house display will be the period farm tools, horse trappings, black smith tools and other artifacts appropriate for this setting. Donations for this project are always welcome.

Of great value has been the help of both the donations and volunteers. Without these efforts, the accomplishment of the Gould-Shaw house and Cloverdale Historical Museum would still be in its infancy. It is to these efforts that we owe gratitude and appreciation.

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