Navarro Interpretive Center (Captain Fletcher’s Inn) opens in June

“Appreciation, through Education, leads to Preservation” In 1984, MendoParks was founded under this simple premise. 38 years later, we continue this legacy through historic preservation and public education at Captain Fletcher’s Inn, now called the Navarro Interpretive Center- one of two remaining historic structures from the town of Navarro. While the original town of Navarro has long since vanished the historic Captain Fletcher’s Inn (ca 1865) and the Mill Superintendent’s House (ca 1864) survived while the rest of the town was reclaimed by floods, fires, and earthquakes. The Inn remained in the Fletcher family, operating as an Inn for travelers along the coast until they sold the property in 1926. The Inn then operated as a roadhouse through a series of private owners, eventually becoming the popular Navarro-bythe-Sea as automobile travel increased. Eventually, the Inn fell into disrepair and was closed by the mid-1980s where it then suffered severe neglect.

The Inn and Mill House were eventually acquired by California State Parks and became part of Navarro River Redwoods State Park in 1996. Navarro-by-the-Sea Center (NSCR), a non-profit dedicated to rehabilitating the Inn, was formed in 2001 to work in partnership with State Parks, public and private donors, volunteers, and many, many hands to ensure the Inn did not succumb to the elements like the rest of the town. Traditionally, NSCR opened the Inn to visitors a few days a year to celebrate and fundraise for further rehabilitation of the Inn.

MendoParks is pleased to announce that Navarro Interpretive Center will be open to the public every weekend from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., starting in June.

Thanks to the contributions of Navarro by the Sea Center (NSCR), we are able to con

tinue and expand this legacy of preservation, education, and appreciation. NSCR was formed for the purpose of initiating historic preservation work on the Inn, saving it from near desecration. With support from volunteers, grants from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, Community Foundation of Mendocino County, California State Parks Foundation, and many other generous donors, NSCR navigated a complex 10-year permitting process, and, in 2012, NSCR initiated the critical stabilization work on the historic Inn, including installation of a new foundation, earthquake retrofitting, residing, repainting, and restoration of the original front porch, among other important tasks.

In September 2020, MendoParks added the Navarro Interpretive Center, as part of the Navarro River Redwoods State Park, to our list of supported State Parks in Mendocino County. It is an honor to continue the critical preservation and education work started by NSCR, and to operate the Center as an extension of our park education and visitor services programs. If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please contact elizabeth@ mendoparks.org.

Exclusive grand opening event: Saturday, June 11th, An Afternoon with Captain Fletcher. In celebration of the opening of the

Center, MendoParks and Mendocino Spirits are offering a one-of-a-kind experience: A tour and a rye tasting to honor the history of this historic site and the people who made it happen. Mendocino Spirits will guide visitors through an exclusive tasting of their limited-edition Captain Fletcher’s rye. This spirit was created specifically to support the historic Inn- proceeds from sales go directly to the restoration and maintenance. Crispin Cain, Master Distiller at Mendocino Spirits and Low Gap in Redwood Valley, will be your tasting tour guide as he tells stories of Captain Fletcher’s adventures along with extensive guidance on how to get the most from your rye. The ticket includes A tour of the Inn by our expert docents; A rare tasting of the limited edition Captain Fletcher Rye, distilled by Crispin Cain of Mendocino Spirits; A gourmet sausage sandwich grilled fresh; and, Music on the lawn by Steven Bates! Tours and tastings last one hour. Don’t miss your opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes tour of this historic Inn. THANK YOU to our event sponsors, Mendocino Spirits! www.mendocinospirits.com. Tickets are $50, limited tickets are availablevisit MendoParks.org for more information.

MendoParks extends our sincere gratitude to the incredible work of the Navarro-by-the-Sea Center, our partners at California State Parks, and all of the volunteers and donors who fought to keep this historic building alive!