California Museums
Discovery
Museum History Center, 101 I Street, Old
Sacramento CA 95814 / (916) 264-7057
The Discovery Museum Gold Rush
History Center is one of several museums operated under the auspices of a
nonprofit organization also in charge of the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center
and Challenger Learning Center. The Discovery Museum History Center is a
recommended stop in your vacation or journey to Sacramento. While many visit the
California State Capitol, Old Sacramento features world class museums displaying
artifacts, exhibits and information about California's golden past and
Sacramento's growth during the discovery of gold in the mid-1800's.
Sacramento's Buried Past
As you enter the Discovery
Museum, you'll be spellbound by an exhibit that showcases Sacramento's buried
past. Displayed beneath a beautiful glass-panel floor visitors can walk on in
the Central Gallery, are artifacts and objects from four historic sites between I & J
Streets and 8th & 9th Streets in downtown Sacramento. Excavation of this archaeological site in
the summer of 1988 was performed by Anthropological Studies Center, Sonoma State
University under the direction of Dr. Adrian Praetzellis. The items were
catalogued and later were recognized for their cultural and historic interest.
Integrated into a Discovery Museum exhibit, the fabulous display opened in 2003
and was an instant success.
Sacramento's Buried Past contains
items from a neighborhood inhabited by individuals from different cultures,
religions and backgrounds. The exhibits include The Mary Collins Assemblage: A
Family of the late 19th and early 20th Century, The San Fong Chong Laundry, 1895
- 1954, Junk! Archeology of the Pioneer Junk Store, 1877 - 1908 and For a Good
Boy: Victorians on Sacramento's J Street. Guests stand on a tinted glass
floor designed to absorb reflecting light. The tempered glass shields the depths
of a display with recessed lighting under the floor to highlight clothing,
broken pottery and a variety of objects. This floor display provides a "wow"
factor to rival any museum experience. Available for rent, it provides a
great location to host special events and functions in Sacramento.
The Mary Collins Assemblage: A
Family of the late 19th and early 20th Century, includes contents of a cellar
from a house that stood until 1905. San Fong Chong Laundry, 1895 - 1954" was
located at 814 I Street includes items from that facility, operating for nearly
a century. Junk! Archeology of the Pioneer Junk Store, 1877 - 1908, displays
items from a Jewish immigrant, Samuel Stein. He owned and operated a
business in Sacramento, having come from Posen, Poland in 1869 (approx.) Stein
sold quality, second-hand items. For a Good Boy: Victorians on Sacramento's J
Street contains items from four residences dating from the 1850's. A German
baker, German shoemaker, a gold merchant, a carriage/lumber merchant and an
African American barber are all represented through items they owned.
This exhibit is worth the modest
admission fee alone (well under $10), but there are many more items, displays
and artifacts to explore on your visit. As you depart, be sure to stop by
the gift store that sells great souvenir gifts.
MUSEUMS
California Military Museum 1115 Second
Street (916) 442-2883 An interpretive museum with
authentic clothing, equipment and
stories from our nation's rich military past.
California State Railroad Museum 111 I
Street (916) 445-6645 The largest interpretive railroad museum
in the nation with exhibits and activities for the whole family. See beautifully
restored locomotives and cars from the 1860s to the 1960s.
Crocker Art Museum Third and
O Street (916) 264-5423 Featuring Victorian architecture, Early
California painting collections, Old Master drawings and colorful
contemporary California art.
Discovery Museum 101 I Street (916)
264-7057 A public service, educational institution established
to foster the wonder and curiosity in us all. Explore, experience
and examine. Learning has never been more fun.
Schoolhouse Museum Front and L Street
(916) 483-8818 An authentic one-room schoolhouse.
Spectacular Russian Dinosaur Exhibition
1126 Second Street 888-264-8763 World's largest, authentic, traveling
dinosaur exhibition, including the 20 foot Saurolophus and the 16 foot
Tyrannosaurus. Open to the public. Call to schedule groups.
Sutter's Fort 2710 L Street
(916) 445-4422 Sacramento's earliest settlement was founded in 1839.
Self guided audio tours are available.
Towe Ford Museum 2200 Front Street
(916) 442-6802 Featuring exhibits of the American Automobile.
Wells Fargo Museum Corner of Second
and J Streets (916) 440-4263 Stagecoaches, gold, mining, business,
commerce are all colorfully interpreted for visitors. ATM, W.A.
Additional Resource: The California Dream-The
Donner Party Heads Toward Sacramento
