Building El Sueño: Isabel Merriman, Sarah Winchester, and the California Dream

Los Altos History Museum presents “Building El Sueño: Isabel Merriman, Sarah Winchester, and the California Dream,” an original exhibition on view June 26 through November 30, 2025. It shines a long-overdue spotlight on Isabel Merriman—an independent woman and active force in the rural community that predated Los Altos. Though often overlooked in historical records as anyone beyond Sarah’s younger sister, Isabel’s story is brought to life through original documents and artifacts, period images, and architectural elements.

Related programs:

The Pardee Sisters: An Interview with Mary Jo Ignoffo and Robin Chapman, Wed, July 16, 5:30-7pm.

Isabel’s Scavenger Hunt, in the Museum’s garden, Sat, Aug 9, 12-4pm. Free admission.

Sarah and Isabel: Two Sisters and their “Dream Houses,” with Winchester Mystery House historian Janan Boehme, Wed, Sept 17, 5:30-7pm.

A Winchester Mystery in the Valley of Heart’s Delight, with author Robin Chapman, Wed, Oct 15, 5:30-7pm.

Evening program admission: $15/person, free for Museum members. Registration required at losaltoshistory.org/elsueno.

Also check out other Exhibitions in Los Altos, Arts events in Los Altos, Literary Art events in Los Altos.