Readers of Marin Magazine voted the Angel Island Immigration Museum the best museum in Marin County for 2026, a win for the site that opened just four years ago.
The museum sits in a restored hospital building at the Angel Island Immigration Station, a National Historic Landmark since 1997. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, the nonprofit that operates the museum, announced the award in its September newsletter.
The foundation described the museum as "one of Marin County's newest museums" and said it has drawn visitors looking to learn immigrant stories and attend family-friendly events since opening in 2022.
Edward Tepporn, executive director of the foundation, wrote in the newsletter that "collective power and movement building" are themes he plans to emphasize at several meetings this month.
The award comes as the museum rolls out fall programming.
The Del Sol Quartet will perform a concert exploring the Filipino experience on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. inside the historic detention barracks. The concert features two world premieres: Dante de Silva's "Aposematic" and Josiah Catalan's "Foreigners to the Familiar," which interweaves slam poetry by Irene Faye Duller, Brandon Gagante and Mei Chung. The performance is included with $5 admission to the Detention Barracks Museum.
That same day, the foundation also hosts 'Second Saturdays on Angel Island: Hands on History' from noon to 3:30 p.m. Families can make buttons inspired by poetry on the barracks walls and carved animals found at the site.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, Angel Island State Park and the San Rafael Public Library will hold an open house for teachers and parents about field trips and scholarships at the library, 1100 E. St., San Rafael, from noon to 2:30 p.m. The foundation also offers a field trip scholarship fund for Title 1 schools.
The Marin Magazine readers' poll was published July 1.
Upcoming Angel Island events
- Saturday, Sept. 12, noon–1 p.m. — Del Sol Quartet concert, detention barracks, included with $5 museum admission
- Saturday, Sept. 12, noon–3:30 p.m. — Hands on History family activities, Angel Island Immigration Museum
- Sunday, Sept. 27, noon–2:30 p.m. — Field trip open house, San Rafael Public Library, 1100 E. St., San Rafael
