Museums and Historical Buildings

Amador County

Amador County Museum
The Amador County Museum was built in 1859 and shows Mother Lode artifacts in 15 exhibit rooms, a 15-minute audiovisual show, and a full-scale model of a railroad locomotive. Visitors must call the museum for days and hours of operation. The Amador County Museum is in Jackson.

Amador Whitney Museum
The life experiences of women and their contributions to Mother Lode history are showcased at the Amador Whitney Museum. The exhibits here rotate twice a year. The Amador Whitney Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can enter with a donation to the museum, which is in Amador City.

Western Hardrock Mining Museum
The Western Hardrock Mining Museum has one of the largest collections of mining and Gold Rush objects in the United States. This museum is located in Amador City.

Butte County

Butte County Pioneer Museum
The Butte County Pioneer Museum has a multicultural view of life during the California Gold Rush. The museum has Chinese artifacts, the Bidwell Bar’s grand old clock, an American Indian basket and arrowhead collection, and ‘49s memorabilia. The Butte County Pioneer Museum is on Montgomery Street in Oroville.

Chico Museum
http://www.chicomuseum.com/
The Chico Museum has rotating exhibits that demonstrate life and history in the city. Chico Museum is in the old Carnegie Library, which is next to California State University, Chico.

Gold Nugget Museum
The Gold Nugget Museum has mining artifacts, guns, dolls, minerals, and a Native American exhibit. The museum is funded by the annual Gold Nugget Days, which celebrates the day a 54-pound gold nugget was found in 1859.

Calaveras County

Angels Camp Museum
Angels Camp Museum is located in the city of Angels Camp and has gold excavating equipment, a blacksmith shop, and a carriage barn. The museum’s summer hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and winter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Calaveras County Museum & Archives
This San Andreas museum is a depository and exhibit hall that details the history of Calaveras County. This museum is housed in an historic jail that once held Black Bart, the famous robber. The Calaveras County Museum & Archives is open daily, except for major holidays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Murphys Old Timers Museum
Murphys Old Timers Museum details the history of Murphys through artifacts. The museum covers the time period from the Gold Rush to the present. The museum is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum
(209) 795-6782
www.sierraloggingmuseum.org
The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum is near Arnold and sits on 6 acres. The museum has memorabilia, a kiosk, and picnic tables. The museum isn’t in its permanent residence, but operates in a portable classroom at Hazel Fisher Elementary. The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nevada County

Firehouse Museum #1
Firehouse Museum #1 is one of the most well-known landmarks in Nevada County. The museum has Gold Rush artifacts, a Maidu Indian display, a Chinese exhibit from the 1870s, and a receiver from the first long-distance telephone call, which was placed in Nevada County. The museum’s winter hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open daily for the same hours during the rest of the year. Please call first if you have more than 10 people in your group.

Grass Valley Museum
This museum was originally built as a convent for the Sister of Mercy in 1865. The building was restored and now includes a classroom, a parlor, a music room, and memorabilia from Grass Valley’s past. The Grass Valley Museum is open year-round from Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is open on the weekends from noon to 3 p.m. June through October.

Sacramento

California Military Museum
http://www.militarymuseum.org/
The California Military Museum has more than 30,000 artifacts, including uniforms, weapons, photographs, and flags. The museum traces California’s role in different military operations throughout U.S. history.

California State Railroad Museum
This 100,000-square-foot museum features 21 locomotives and railroad cars and has nearly 50 exhibits. The California State Railroad Museum is the largest railroad museum in North American and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except for major holidays. Admission is $4 for adults, but children 16 and younger get in for free.

The Capitol
http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/english/index.html
The Capitol has a 120-foot-high rotunda, beautifully decorated rooms, and flower gardens and memorials. The building was constructed in 1869 and the legislative chambers are decorated in styles from the 1890s.

Discovery Museum
http://www.thediscovery.org/index.html
The Discovery Museum offers kids the opportunity to learn about science and technology. The attraction is housed in a replica of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks building. The museum has hands-on exhibits, including an exhibit on gold sifting, an American Indian-thatched hut, and a print shop from an old Sacramento newspaper. The Discovery Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, but is open daily from June through August.

Governor's Mansion
Many historians believe this home was the first in California to have an indoor bathroom. Ronald Regan was the first California governor to use this 15-room Renaissance-style home. The house was built in 1877, and guides offer tours every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

State Indian Museum
This museum offers a multimedia view of American Indian life in California. The museum has arts and crafts exhibits, the replica of a village, and a 10-minute video that details the life of American Indians in California. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.