Jack London Park is celebrating Día de Muertos, Oct. 4–Nov. 6, 2026
Two ofrendas, honoring Jack London’s legacy and community members’ loved ones, will connect historic preservation and cultural remembrance.
In recognition of Día de Muertos, traditionally observed Nov. 1 and 2, Jack London State Historic Park will present two ofrendas in the House of Happy Walls Museum from Oct. 4 to Nov. 6, 2026.
Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition that began in Mexican and other Latino cultures. An ofrenda, Spanish for ‘offering,’ is an altar created to honor and welcome the memory of those who have died.
The Legacy Ofrenda will honor writer and adventurer Jack London, Charmian London, and other individuals connected to the history of the property. Through photographs, reproductions, traditional elements of an ofrenda, and carefully selected symbolic objects, the installation will reflect Jack and Charmian’s partnership, writing and travels, their life at Beauty Ranch, their connection to the land, and the legacies they left behind.
The Community Ofrenda will be a shared, participatory offering. Visitors, locals, volunteers, Board members, and employees can contribute a small photograph, written name, memory, drawing or message honoring someone who has passed away – including a beloved pet.
The installation will grow throughout October as more people participate. Materials will be available at the display for visitors who would like to join the celebration and contribute a name, memory or even a drawing of their loved one.
“Día de Muertos is about memory, family, storytelling, community, and celebrating the lives of those who came before us. The two ofrendas will approach that idea from two complementary perspectives: one remembers the people whose stories are preserved at Jack London State Historic Park, while the other invites today’s visitors to share the stories of people they personally remember,” said Matt Leffert, executive director of Jack London Park Partners, the nonprofit organization that funds and operates the park.
Hosting these ofrendas in the museum is an extension of the activities Bilingual Community Program Coordinator Carlos Barragan has developed to welcome and support the Spanish-speaking community at the park. Events like the upcoming Los Colores de Otoño on Oct. 25 and hikes guided in Spanish support Jack London Park Partners’ mission to ensure that the park remains an inclusive and enriching space for all visitors.
“The ofrendas will be simple, elegant, and museum-quality, respecting the historic character of the space while incorporating meaningful elements of Día de Muertos. This is an opportunity for meaningful cultural engagement for all visitors, including staff and volunteers, with the goal of connecting everyone around the shared, universal experience of remembering and preserving the legacy of people they have lost,” Barragan said.
“The altars will incorporate the beautiful colors and traditional visual elements associated with Día de Muertos,” said Israel Escudero, the park’s cultural advisor on the project. He is collaborating with the park team on the concept, design, interpretation, and creation of the ofrendas with the goal of making them meaningful, respectful, and welcoming to all.
To protect the museum and its collections, there will be no real food, live plants, open flames/lighted candles, or other materials that may not be appropriate for the space.
Participants who would like to retrieve their contributions to the Community Ofrenda can pick them up at the park on Friday, Nov. 6, during normal park hours. Items not picked up may be incorporated into next year’s event.
For event information, visit jacklondonpark.com/events. For information about contributing to the Community Ofrenda, contact Carlos Barragan at [email protected] or call 707-938-5216, ext. 9.