Katherine J. Rinehart is a dedicated advocate for historic preservation, co-founder of the Petaluma Signs Project, and author of Petaluma: A History in Architecture.

After retiring from an 18-year career at the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library, she now dedicates her time to providing historic research and archival organizational services as a consultant. (Photo below is Katherine’s favorite lost sign: the Greyhound Bus Depot of Petaluma.

In 2025 Katherine created a new organization—Petaluma Signs Project—dedicated to preserving historic signs that enrich Petaluma’s unique identity, fiscally sponsored by Petalumans of Yesteryear. The Project’s first campaign successfully restored Petaluma’s oldest and perhaps most iconic neon sign, located at the former Poehlmann Hatchery. After reaching its fundraising goal with community donations, the sign was taken down in April, restored, and returned to its perch in June 2026.

kjrinehart.com
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Visit petalumasignsproject.org to find out more about this historic neon chick!