Exclusive Opening of the Historic Navarro Inn

OOPS!

Our last email mistakenly said that our event was Sunday June 11 but in reality June 11 is a Saturday! Apparently we can't read a calendar! :)

Our much anticipated event is actually SATURDAY June 11. Mark your calendars! (We have-- accurately this time!)

June 17-19, 2022

“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.

Thanks to the contributions of Navarro by the Sea Center (NSCR), an all volunteer nonprofit organization that was formed to save Captain Fletcher’s Inn, we are able to continue and expand this legacy of preservation, education, and appreciation. NSCR was formed in 2001 for the propose 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 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.

We invite you to join us on June 11th for an exclusive event at the historic Navarro Interpretive Center.

We extend our 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!

Come celebrate with us by spending an afternoon with Captain Fletcher!

Join Us!

An Afternoon with Captain Fletcher at the Historic Navarro Inn

Saturday, June 11, 2022
3 tours: 1 every hour
12:30, 1:30 and 2:30pm

Only 20 tickets per tour, so get your tickets early!

Your 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
Music on the lawn by Steven Bates

Tours and tastings last one hour.

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 of how to get the most from your rye.

Don't miss your opportunity to get a behind the scenes tour of this historic Inn!

Get Your Tickets

Captain Fletcher's Inn

A brief history

*Navarro Inn ca.1947*
*Robert J. Lee collection (Parker): 05707*

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 road house through a series of private owners, eventually becoming the popular Navarro-by-the-Sea as automobile travel increased. Eventually the Inn fell into disrepair and was closed by the mid-1980’s where it then suffered severe neglect.

The Inn and Mill House were eventually acquired by the State and became part of Navarro River Redwoods State Park by 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 one day per year to celebrate and fundraise for further rehabilitation of the Inn.

This year, MendoParks is extremely proud to announce that we are working with California State Parks to further preserve the structures and open them to visitors all year long.

More Inn History