A special find in Healdsburg is surprisingly interesting and the only hand fan museum in America (one of only four of its kind in the world). Small yet captivating.

The Hand Fan Museum maintains its purpose “to provide educational and cultural enrichment to the public by utilizing the hand fan as a vehicle for teaching history, art and geography, via publications, lectures and the establishment of a museum where actual hand fans from around the world will be exhibited.”
"Every society has used a hand fan of some sort. From palm fronds to feathers-from beautifully painted works of art to jewel encrusted, gold plated objects of incredible value. Fans were used in fashion, religion, battle and ceremony. Why there is even a language devoted exclusively to the hand fan! Fans tell the stories and histories of the cultures and individuals who used them. Art, culture, geography and history - all in the palm of your hand."
This is the oldest fan in the exhibit. This one, from Italy, is circa 1690.
From the sixteenth century up to the late 1800s throughout the whole of Europe, the dress of no fashionable lady en grande tenue appears to have been complete without the addition of a fan.  So prominent a part has this little “modish machine" played in intrigue, love, and scandal that it has been aptly termed "the woman's scepter." Invitations were given by it, assignations were made; a gracious furl encouraged the lover; a disdainful furl plunged him into despair. To read aright this language became a necessity in the education of all fine gallants, who must know how to understand each movement and interpret each flutter.





Most hand fans can be categorized as either non-folding or folding. The "fixed" or "flat" variety originated first and was often composed of such materials as feathers, woven plant materials, stretched skins or fabrics.

Fixed fans, which often resemble ping-pong paddles, are still produced today. Now usually made of paper, cardboard, or plastic, fixed fans are inexpensive to manufacture, and their flat surfaces make them ideal advertising or souvenir pieces. Vintage and antique specimens bearing images of animals, famous persons or locations, companies, etc., are all avidly sought after by collectors. This museum had an impressive collection. What fun!
This museum confirms my belief that all towns, no matter how small, house treasures. You just need to explore to discover them.