(working)

Joaquin Miller’s Abbey is listed as #1 among its Historic Sites, and is meaningful to those the world over that have a connection to this Poet. It sits empty and neglected save for the efforts of a handful of faithful Park volunteers.

The HH proposes that the space be used as

a mini-museum with permanent and rotating displays

A reading room for study of Miller’s works and literary gatherings, and

A retreat for visiting writers to work in the space for immersive inspiration.

The feel would be curated to be as simple and rustic as possible, reflecting the simple life Miller valued and the experience of being in another time, yet the information displayed would be rich and complex.

Steps toward fulfilling this vision

Make the Abbey safe to enter, with lock boxes on the doors.

Design and create permanent museum exhibits from items in the Oakland Library, including

A

A facimile of Miller’s famed bedroom/writing room (iron bed frame, bearskin rug, clippings of his articles, whiskey bottles, etc. with each item displaying quotations by or about him

A collection of books and internet resources with comfortable chairs and a table