Robert Louis Stevenson Museum

The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is a treasured institution in the heart of St. Helena in the Napa Valley.  Established by Norman and Charlotte Strouse in 1969, the RLS Museum is the largest, publicly accessible collection dedicated to author Robert Louis Stevenson.

Best known for his classics Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Stevenson wrote many novels, travel books, poems, and articles. He also traveled extensively, which is how he met his wife, Californian Fanny Osbourne, and came to marry her in San Francisco and honeymoon in Napa Valley. Their time in the heart of California’s wine region was documented in his work The Silverado Squatters. Eventually, the Stevensons moved to Samoa, where their former house has been turned into another museum dedicated to the author’s life and works.

The California museum started with an 800-item collection that founder Norman Strouse had collected over many years. It included various editions of Stevenson’s works, books and articles about the author, and some of Stevenson’s personal correspondences and belongings. In the years since the museum was established, its collection has grown even larger, and now includes paintings, photographs, memorabilia, and more. 

Perfect for those who are fans of Stevenson or those who just wish to learn a bit more about this influential author, the RLS Museum is a great place to get away from the bustle of wine country, learn a more intimate history of one of its beloved visitors, and take away an unexpected treasure from your trip.