The Ford House, located in historic Mendocino Village, offers both historic and current information about the area, with a broad selection of brochures, books, cards and other visitor center items. A number of videos are available upon request, with topics ranging from the steam whistle logging era of the early Twentieth Century to the amazing story of gray whale migration. Ford House serves as the community information center.

The Ford House, part of Mendocino Headlands State Parks and run by the Mendocino Area Parks Association, was built in 1854 for Jerome Bursley Ford and his new wife. Permanent exhibits at the Ford House reflect Mendocino's early settlement era. There is a small display of Native American implements, and a scale model of the town as it was in 1890, created by local craftsman, Len Peterson. Throughout the house, old photographs, tools and relics relate the saga of the felling of the redwoods to the shipping of the lumber aboard the legendary dog-hole schooners.

Changing seasonal exhibits showcase the local flora and fauna, and Heritage Days in the May recall the skills and history of Jerome and Martha Ford's time and lives.

The Ford House Docent Council of the Mendocino Area Parks Association staffs the house and provides guided walks along the Mendocino Headlands, including Whale Watching, Mendocino History, and Spring Wildflowers.

The museum features models of vessels which once plied coastal waters, carrying lumber, passengers and other essentials to those who made their homes on the North Coast.

From the Ford House you can walk on trails above high bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

All year. Open daily 11 AM to 4 PM daily.

Fees: Donations accepted.