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All the United States California Healdsburg Hand Fan Museum
AO Edited

Hand Fan Museum

This collection of hand fans doubles as a history of femininity.

Healdsburg, California

Added By
dhill3030
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Fans on display at the museum.   Crabtree13/CC BY-SA 3.0
Fans on display at the museum.   Crabtree13/CC BY-SA 3.0
Hand fan museum in Healdsburg, California.   Crabtree13/CC BY-SA 3.0
Hand fans on display.   Crabtree13/CC BY-SA 3.0
Animal fans - September 2023   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
New location - September 2023   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
Part of the permanent collection - September 2023   dominicbenford / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The first and only Hand Fan Museum in downtown Healdsburg, California revels in the ladylike elegance of fans.

In collecting hand fans, the museum assembles a history of femininity throughout the ages. As a small accessory used by women (as well some men), fans were witness to all sorts of cultural events. They were used as fashion accessories, of course, but also in ceremony, dance, and even in Samurai battles.

Some fans are lacy affairs covered in ribbons, some are plain paper. Some carry political messages, others have religious imagery. The museum has artifacts on exhibition dating as far back as the 18th century from all over Europe, North America, and Asia.

The museum itself is tiny, but it houses hundreds of delicate fans in cases, on the walls and in windows. The Hand Fan Museum is a lovely step back into the sartorial embellishments of yesteryear.

Related Tags

Fashion Museums And Collections Museums Collections

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Just a block or two south of the plaza in downtown Healdsburg. It's a small space but easy to find.

Community Contributors

Added By

dhill3030

Edited By

Molly McBride Jacobson, dominicbenford

  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • dominicbenford

Published

December 1, 2016

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Hand Fan Museum
309 Healdsburg Ave
Healdsburg, California, 95448
United States
38.610381, -122.870696
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Nearby Places

Coyote

Healdsburg, California

miles away

Davingy Art Park

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miles away

Charles M. Schulz Museum

Santa Rosa, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Healdsburg

Healdsburg

California

Places 2

Nearby Places

Coyote

Healdsburg, California

miles away

Davingy Art Park

Forestville, California

miles away

Charles M. Schulz Museum

Santa Rosa, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Healdsburg

Healdsburg

California

Places 2

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