On Thursday, Oct. 13, the Marin County Civic Center celebrated its 60th anniversary with an elaborate event featuring a live band performance and cake-cutting, a vintage car show, tours of the building and a panel discussion led by Civic Center employees commemorating the building’s 60 years. The building, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1962 and located in northern San Rafael, holds events annually and houses many of the county offices. Senior and architecture student Zorenza Kleinberg acknowledges the design and what makes the Marin County Civic Center so profound.
“The building is a twist of modern and mid-century along with organic [aspects],” Kleinberg said. “Something [so] amazing about the structure is that everything goes so well together. Wright really designed his buildings to go well with surrounding areas and objects.”

Not only is the building a fascinating structure to look at from the outside, but it also has unique aspects from the inside. Supervisor-elect and aide to current supervisor, Mary Sackett, has been working in the building for about five years and was one of the many who had the chance to speak during a public panel discussing the work done in the Civic Center.
“The tourists, community and sounds all make this building an amazing place to work every day,” Sackett said. “The main entryway, the library, the exhibits scattered throughout the walls and even the echoes heard throughout the building make this place unique and fun.”

As for the anniversary event, the morning started with a parking lot full of vintage cars on display. While the lot filled, many wandered over to the cafeteria where the building tours took place. Jeff Craemer, one of the event’s planners, recognizes the importance of the tours as they are an opportunity to show what really happens inside the building.
“The building is so unique and so much is unknown, both about the history and the design,” Craemer said. “Giving tours is how we can show the rich history of the building.”
The event continued with a room full of early photography from when the building was first built. As can be seen from the photos, not much has changed. After years of working in the building, Sackett has observed changes that have taken place, which are very minimal.

“Something else that is special about the building is that everything has stayed the same. They have added water fountains here and there, but that’s about it. Everything is original from the 1960s,” Sackett said.
The ceremony which took place during the later part of the event, included live music from a local band, the County Crows, a stunning cake cutting to celebrate the 60th anniversary, and a screening of the movie “Gattaca,” which took place in the Civic Center. After much planning, Craemer ended the event with a smile on his face, elated about the event’s success.
“Overall, I thought it was an amazing event and a great way for everyone to come together to celebrate the rich history of the [Marin County Civic Center],” Craemer said.