Terry Taylor says it’s fate, but perhaps it’s the Bard’s ghost working in mysterious ways. Either way, his nonlinear story of how the Shakespeare Society of America came to be relocated in Moss Landing begins in 1607, when Captain John Smith and English colonists landed in Jamestown. Months later, Indians captured Smith and, according to legend, Pocahontas convinced her father to spare Smith’s life. Four years later, Shakespeare’s The Tempest portrays a relationship between a native girl and a ship captain.

Fast-forward a couple hundred years to 2008, when the 41-year-old nonprofit society moves here from L.A. and begins unpacking its tens of thousands of rare books (dating back as far as 1520), 50 Bard busts, Globe Theatre models, playbills from the 1700s, original artwork, and other museum pieces and memorabilia. Taylor puts a blue metal fish decoration on display, an homage to The Tempest and the society’s new digs in a sleepy fishing town. A local comes in, looking for a boat ornament.

“He wanted a blue fish,” says Taylor, CEO of the society. “His name: John Smith. His boat: Pocahontas.

“Why are we in Moss Landing? I call it fate.”

On April 23, the New Shakespeare Society celebrated the opening of its new facility. Visitors nibbled cold cuts and Whole Enchilada stuffed artichokes and sipped red wine and coffee. Shelia Taylor’s Elizabethan skirt swishes between display cases housing Shakespeare beer steins, teacups and saucers, oil paintings of the Bard piled 10 deep and boxes labeled “fragile,” “costumes and wigs,” and “misc.”

“I sent invitations to the Queen of England, the Secretary General of the U.N., cultural attachés, Obama and the First Family, the governor,” Terry says. “The Secretary General’s office said he was traveling. I replied, ‘Well, make sure he comes at his first convenience.’ I’m confident he will.”

THE NEW SHAKESPEARE SANCTUARY is open most weekends. Call for hours before visiting the new facility, 7981 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing. 633-2989.