history
In 1902, a group of women outraged by the removal of old growth redwoods near Mill Valley’s train depot, decided to form a women’s organization dedicated to environmental conservation and the beautification of public spaces. Later that year, the Outdoor Art Club was established with 35 founding members.
1903
OAC begins work improving Summit School Playground: planting trees, buying playground equipment, helping children plant a garden
OAC spearheads restoration of deteriorated logging mill in Old Mill Park
OAC Forestry Department spearheads restoration of old Sulphur Spring
OAC plays a pivotal role in establishing of Muir Woods as a national monument
1906
OAC distributes bedding, clothes, and food to refugees from the SF earthquake and fire
1913 & 1918
Wildfires on Mount Tam make the clubhouse an emergency post
1929
The Great Mill Valley Fire burns 2,400 acres of brush and 117 Mill Valley homes, and the OAC clubhouse once again becomes a staging area for weary firefighters
1940–1945
OAC club members establish a booth at the bus depot to sell US War Saving Stamps & Bonds
1950
Vera Schultz is the first woman elected to the Mill Valley City Council. She later becomes Marin’s first female county supervisor and champions the Frank Lloyd Wright Design for the Civic Center
1960
Civics and Conservation chair Jean Barnard urges members to write letters to legislators advocating for “meaningful” protection of San Francisco Bay
During this decade the club opposes highway billboards, supports the “Save Kent Island” campaign in Bolinas, allocates funds to help purchase Audubon Canyon Ranch, and votes to uphold Marin County’s sign control ordinance
1969
The OAC endorses the federal wilderness bill and the legislation that creates the Pt Reyes National Seashore
1972
The OAC approves seed money to buy the famed butterfly trees in Muir Beach
1978
OAC clubhouse is declared a California Landmark
1981
Torrential rains flood Sycamore neighborhood and Miller Avenue, and the OAC Clubhouse once again becomes an official city shelter
2020s
OAC members purchase over 250 new requested books for the Sausalito Marin City School District Library
OAC delivers over $2,000 worth of diapers, baby wipes, and gift cards to the Canal Alliance
1902
OAC founded on August 2nd
1904
OAC Clubhouse completed in November, providing the community with a cultural center
1908
OAC member Lillian Harris Coffin becomes one of the leaders of the first California Suffrage March
1910
OAC members spearhead funding and building of Mill Valley’s Carnegie Library
1919
The OAC adopts the YMCA at Fort Baker, making new curtains and holding Christmas parties. Benefit performances raise funds for the Victory Fund
1920
OAC member Flora Reynolds, Post Mistress, spearheads drive to add mail home delivery causing house numbers to be created
1934
Marvelous Marin, a civic improvement organization, proposes that the Golden Gate Bridge District operate a bus system and asks the OAC to take a stand for the county’s earliest mass transit efforts
1941
The club appoints a defense chair, members learn new skills — first aid, home nursing, pistol shooting, firefighting, sewing bandages at the Red Cross, and canteen work
1965
The OAC joins with the Marin Conservation League to preserve Richardson Bay and to save San Francisco Bay
1971
Two oil tankers collide in San Francisco Bay, spilling 800,000 gallons of oil. OAC members help clean the beaches and stranded birds. 21% of oil-covered birds are able to fly again
1980s
Civics and Conservation Chair Doris Bassett is instrumental in the enactment of the Mill Valley City Council’s ordinance of an historic overlay district and its application to the OAC after she secures state and national landmark status for the OAC
1991
OAC becomes a 501(c)3
2017
An $11,000 OAC grant restores the historic Depot clock donated by Mill Valley firefighters in 1929
Photo credit Suz Lipman
1902
OAC Founded
1903
OAC begins work improving Summit School Playground: planting trees, buying playground equipment, helping children plant a garden
OAC Spearheads restoration of deteriorated logging mill in Old Mill Park
OAC Forestry Department spearheads restoration of old Sulphur Spring
OAC plays pivotal role in establishing of Muir Woods as a national monument
1904
OAC ladies fund and build their own Clubhouse, providing the community with a cultural center
1906
OAC distributes bedding, clothes, and food to refugees from the SF earthquake and fire
1908
OAC member Lillian Harris Coffin becomes one of the leaders of the first California Suffrage March
1910
OAC members spearhead funding and building of Mill Valley’s Carnegie Library
1913 & 1918
Wildfires on Mount Tam make the clubhouse an emergency post
1919
The OAC Adopts” the YMCA at Fort Baker, making new curtains and holding Christmas parties. Benefit performances raise funds for the Victory Fund
1920
OAC member Flora Reynolds, Post Mistress, spearheads drive to add mail home delivery causing house numbers to be created
1929
The Great Mill Valley Fire burns 2,400 acres of brush and 117 Mill Valley homes, and the OAC clubhouse once again becomes a staging area for weary firefighters
1934
Marvelous Marin, a civic improvement organization, proposes that the Golden Gate Bridge District operate a bus system and asks the OAC to take a stand for the county’s earliest mass transit efforts
1940-1945
OAC club members establish a booth at the bus depot to sell US War Saving Stamps & Bonds
1941
The club appoints a defense chair, members learn new skills – first aid, home nursing, pistol shooting, firefighting, sewing bandages at the Red Cross, and canteen work.
1950
Vera Schultz is the first woman elected to the Mill Valley City Council. She later becomes Marin’s first female county supervisor and champions the Frank Lloyd Wright Design for the Civic Center
1960
Civics and conservation chair Jen Barnard urges members to write letters to legislators advocating for “meaningful” protection of San Francisco Bay
During this decade the club opposes highway billboards, supports the “Save Kent Island” campaign in Bolinas, allocates funds to help purchase Audubon Canyon Ranch, and votes to uphold Marin County’s sign control ordinance
1965
The OAC joins with the Marin Conservation league to preserve Richardson Bay and to save San Francisco Bay
1969
The OAC endorses the federal wilderness bill and the legislation that creates the Pt Reyes National Seashore
1971
Two oil tankers collide in San Francisco Bay, spilling 800,000 gallons of oil. OAC members help clean the beaches and stranded birds. 21% of oil-covered birds are able to fly again.
1972
The OAC approves seed money to buy the famed butterfly trees in Muir Beach
1978
OAC clubhouse is declared a California Landmark
1980S
Civics and Conservation Chair Doris Bassett is instrumental in the enactment of the Mill Valley City Council’s ordinance of an historic overlay district and its application to the OAC after she secures state and national landmark status for the OAC
1981
Torrential rains flood sycamore neighborhood and miller avenue, and the OAC Clubhouse once again becomes an official city shelter
2017
An $11,000 OAC grant restores the historic depot clock donated by Mill Valley firefighters in 1929
2020S
OAC members purchase over 250 new requested books for the Sausalito Marin City School District Library
OAC delivers over $2,000 worth of diapers, baby wipes, and gift cards to the canal alliance.