Description
Behind the Redwood Curtain: Cannabis in California shares historic stories and personal experiences that push beyond the stereotypes of cannabis in California.
In collaboration with the Cannabis Culture Museum, HappyDay Farms, and the greater Mendocino County community, the Mendocino County Museum and Exhibit Envoy are partnering to create a homegrown exhibit! Behind the Redwood Curtain will empower audiences to reflect on and learn about the culture of cannabis in California, with a focus on the years between the 1970s to legalization in 2016.
Cannabis has been an integral, yet veiled, part of life in California, with complex stories and histories largely undocumented. The memories, perspectives, and experiences shared within Behind the Redwood Curtain will strengthen visitors’ understanding of this political, economic, and cultural legacy that marked the state and different regions. This statewide history will explore historic, political, and personal takes on all aspects of cannabis, from medicinal to cultural to agricultural, with many stories drawn from the Emerald Triangle of Northern California.
In addition to text panels and framed images, the exhibition includes one easy-to-assemble structure using the grid beam system. A mock-up of this structure can be seen here.
Behind the Redwood Curtain will open at the Mendocino County Museum in early October 2026, and will begin its tour in Spring 2027.
Behind the Redwood Curtain: Cannabis in California is a touring exhibition developed in partnership with the Mendocino County Museum.
Specs
- Audience:
- Adults
- Rental Fee:
- $3,000 for 8 weeks + shipping via van line
- Size:
- 1,200 – 1,800 sq. ft.
- Shipping:
- 2-4 crates via van line
- Languages:
- English
- Security:
- Moderate
Exhibit Components:
- Easy-to-assemble grid beam structure and printed canopy
- Didactic panels featuring both historic content and personal stories from members of the cannabis industry and cultural community
- 2D and 3D artifacts related to cannabis in history, agriculture, government, and pop culture, including newspapers, posters, music albums, books, board games, and farming implements
- AV components, accessible via QR code, to oral histories, historic radio interviews, and short videos
- Press kit, branding/style guide, programming suggestions, and topical resource listings
Schedule and Availability: Version A (Main Gallery Exhibit)
October 2026 – December 2026 | Mendocino County Museum, Willits, CA |
April 11, 2027 – June 6, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
June 27, 2027 – August 22, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
September 12, 2027 – November 7, 2027 | AVAILABLE |
November 28, 2027 – January 23, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
February 13, 2028 – April 9, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
April 30, 2028 – June 25, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
July 16, 2028 – September 10, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
October 1, 2028 – November 26, 2028 | AVAILABLE |
December 17, 2028 – February 11, 2029 | AVAILABLE |
March 4, 2029 – April 29, 2029 | AVAILABLE |
May 20, 2029 – July 15, 2029 | AVAILABLE |
August 5, 2029 – September 30, 2029 | AVAILABLE |
October 21, 2029 – December 16, 2029 | AVAILABLE |