John Muir NHS

The John Muir National Historic Site was established to preserve the 14-room Italianate Victorian mansion where the naturalist and writer John Muir lived. The site also includes a nearby 325-acre tract of native oak woodlands and grasslands that were historically owned by the Muir family. The main site is situated on the edge of town, in the shadow of a towering eucalyptus tree. The grounds are dotted with stately oaks and madrone trees, and there is a small pond where Muir used to go fishing. The site has a large collection of artifacts and archives related to John Muir. His passionate activism as a conservationist, including founding the Sierra Club, led to the foundation of the National Park Service. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the house, which has been furnished with period furniture and Muir's personal belongings. The site also offers hiking trails, picnicking areas, and a ranger-led program on John Muir's life and work.