Bringing History Back to Life: BryMar’s Visit to the Reimagined Palo Alto Museum

When you walk through the doors of the soon-to-open Palo Alto Museum (PAM)—formerly known as the Palo Alto History Museum—you can feel the past and future meeting in one extraordinary space. For our BryMar team, this project is far more than an audit engagement. It’s a partnership years in the making, one rooted in trust, dedication, and a shared belief in preserving the stories that shape our communities. 

Our Managing Partner, Michael Bryant, and CGMO Justina Bryant recently visited the museum site for our annual audit walk-through—a required step in our audit process, and one we look forward to each year. Last year, we stepped into a building deep in the throes of restoration. This year, we stepped into a vision coming alive. 

A Partnership Years in the Making 

BryMar has had the honor of working with PAM throughout the construction and restoration process, three years of meticulous planning, dedication, and community support. Being part of their financial oversight during these pivotal years has allowed us to witness firsthand the museum’s transformation—from scaffolding and raw beams to curated rooms filled with purpose. 

As Michael put it during the visit, “Working alongside Diane Moon has been an honor. Her passion for this project overflows, and you feel it the moment you step into the building.” 

Diane Moon, PAM’s powerhouse COO, has been a guiding force throughout the construction and restoration effort. Her vision has not just restored a historic landmark—it has ignited new life within it. 

Walking Through History—And Into the Future 

During this year’s tour, PAM’s inaugural President & CEO Marguerite Gong Hancock led us through an exhilarating walkthrough of what’s to come. Her excitement is contagious, and her leadership has brought incredible clarity and momentum to the museum’s next chapter. 

Rooms once filled with dust and construction materials now hint at vibrant, community-driven exhibits. Marguerite described spaces dedicated to: 

• Hands-on, interactive learning for local schools 

• Tributes to iconic Palo Alto residents 

• Celebrations of everyday hometown heroes who have shaped the community 

The museum’s mission—to celebrate Palo Alto’s legacy while inspiring curiosity, learning, and connection—has never felt more tangible. 

A Moment of Personal History 

For Justina, one moment stood out above the rest: seeing an original library desk owned by Andrew Carnegie on display. As a longtime admirer of Carnegie’s contributions to public learning, she described the experience simply as: “It felt like touching history.” 

And that’s exactly the magic PAM is creating—moments that remind us where we’ve come from, how innovation and community intertwine, and how important it is to preserve the artifacts that tell our collective story. 

Building More Than a Museum—Building Community 

As auditors, our role requires us to understand not just the numbers but the mission, operations, and heartbeat of the organizations we serve. Through each site visit—first during heavy refurbishment, and now as PAM approaches its 2026 opening—we are reminded why nonprofit partnerships mean so much to us. 

At BryMar, we don’t simply audit financial statements. We walk alongside our clients. We celebrate their milestones. We honor their stories. And we take pride in being part of the journey that brings their missions to life. 

Proud Partners in Preserving History 

PAM’s achievements represent years of dedication from its leadership, staff, donors, volunteers, and community supporters. We are deeply proud of what they have accomplished—and grateful to be even a small part of it. 

The Palo Alto Museum will soon be a place where history is not just observed but

experienced. And for us, watching this transformation—year after year—has been a privilege. 

We can’t wait to return when the doors officially open, and the stories of Palo Alto come to life for all who enter.