Mendocino Area Parks Association

Graphic: Logo for Mendocino Area Parks Association
The Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA) is a non-profit corporation founded in 1984 to support the State Parks in the Mendocino area by providing educational activities and materials. One of the aims of MAPA is to increase the awareness of residents and visitors of the cultural and natural values of the area.
The historic Ford House on Main Street in Mendocino is the Visitor and Interpretive Center for Mendocino Headlands State Park. Current and historical information of the area is available to Mendocino visitors. The Ford House offers a number of videos for viewing with topics ranging from the great migration of the gray whales to the steam whistle logging era if the early Twentieth Century. All videos are presented upon request and at no charge.

Jerome B. Ford had the house built for his bride, Martha, in 1854. Ford was the Superintendent of the First Sawmill in Mendocino and is credited by many as being the founder of Mendocino. Exhibits at the Ford House carry the visitor back to another era. Local craftsman Len Peterson built a scale model of the town as it was in 1890, on permanent display. Thoughout the house, exhibits of old photographs, tools and relics tell the story from the felling of the redwoods to the shipping of the lumber aboard the legendary doghole schooners. There is a small display of Native American implements and also changing seasonal exhibits on the local flora and fauna.

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

Mendocino Area Parks Association has proven itself to be a valuable asset to the visitors and staff at Mendocino Headlands. Join them by becoming a member.


Mendocino Area Parks Association
P.O. Box 1387
Mendocino, CA 95460
TEL 707- 937- 5397/ FAX 707- 937- 3845
mendoparks.org/