AUGUST 15 & 16, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
20 MUSEUMS - ROSEVILLE TO TAHOE!
Welcome Trail Travelers!
We are glad you decided to join us on the 2015 Heritage Trail Museums Tour. This is the 8th year for the event and 20 museums from Roseville to Tahoe are opening their doors free of charge on August 15th & 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All 20 museums are committed to showcasing history in a fun and entertaining way. For many Trail Travelers, this event has become a family tradition. Whether you are from Auburn, Reno, San Francisco, or Boston, you will enjoy this opportunity to take a trip back in time and get a better understanding of Placer County’s rich and colorful history. Each museum on the tour is unique. Aside from immersing yourselves in history, you will enjoy the variety of settings at each museum.
Many of the museums will offer food and beverages including cookies, hand churned ice cream, root beer floats, lemonade and water. Most museums have restroom facilities available. Look for the symbols in the museum’s description.
The museums are grouped in three clusters and are easy to reach from Interstate 80. Seven Valley Museums are located in South Placer. Six Auburn Museums are located within one mile of the Historic Courthouse. Seven Mountain Museums are located in the Sierra Nevada and the north shore of Lake Tahoe. We encourage you to visit several museums during the two day event. This Trail Guide will help you find your way and we invite you back to visit those museums that you missed any time during the year.
Thanks again for joining us. We hope you have a great time!
Ralph Gibson
Placer County Museums Administrator
Chairperson, The Heritage Trail
TRAIL TIPS THE FOLLOWING TRAIL TIPS WILL HELP YOU PLAN YOUR DAY.
• For the most up to date information on The Heritage Trail, visit our blog at theheritagetrail.blogspot.com.
• You can begin at any of the 20 participating museums which are identified by red, white and blue trail signs and banners.
• All directions are from Interstate 80 going west to east. Maps are included.
• For questions during the event, call any museum. A phone number is listed for each.
• Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in the museums.
• Leave pets at home.
• You’ll want to bring your camera. Inquire at each museum for flash photography guidelines.
• Be sure to pick up your FREE Get Up & Go card at the first museum you visit. Enjoy the Trail!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• This is a self guided tour and your participation is voluntary. Please do not hold the Tour Committee, presenters or museum partners responsible for any injury to you, your family, or property.
• You and your family may be photographed during the event and these photos are the property of the Placer County Museums Division.
1
MAIDU MUSEUM & HISTORIC SITE1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, Roseville
916-774-5934 • www.roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum
Explore an ancient Indian site where Valley Nisenan Maidu Indians lived for thousands of years. Discover native plants and over 400 bedrock-grinding holes. Experience the unique and rare sandstone petroglyphs. There will be hands-on children’s activities, historic site guided tours and an Indigenous art gallery. The Museum Gift Shop offers a wide selection of books about Native Californians, handmade jewelry, minerals, arrowheads, nature-related items, snacks and drinks. Saturday and Sunday 10:00 & 1:00: Guided tours of the museum and nature trail. Self-guided tours all day.
Normal Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00-4:00, and Saturday 9:00-1:00
2
ROSEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETYCARNEGIE MUSEUM557 Lincoln Street, Roseville • 916-773-3003
www.rosevillehistorical.org
The museum is housed in a 102-year-old building with a very eclectic collection of items. There is a working model railroad, old toys, irons, tools, business cameras and even a horse drawn carriage. There will be marble games for children, an interactive picture game for all, as well as a video of pictures of old Roseville Directions: Take Atlantic/Eureka off ramp. Go West on Atlantic to Yosemite. Turn right on Yosemite St. and go to stop sign. Turn left on Sierra Blvd. Museum is on your right. Public parking is on the left as you come off the bridge.
Normal Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 12:00- 4:00 and every 2nd Saturday 12:00-4:00
3
ROSEVILLE FIRE MUSEUM400 Lincoln Street, Roseville, CA
(916) 538-1809 • www.rosevillefiremuseum.org
The Roseville Fire Museum celebrates the rich history of the Roseville Fire Department, local agencies, and the fire service through a collection of historical artifacts, pictures, and videos. We educate the public on current operations of the Roseville Fire Department and personal fire & life safety. Take a tour of Roseville’s original Fire House during renovations. Timed Activities: Beginning at 10:00 a.m. we will provide at guided tour, every hour on the hour with our last tour at 3:00 p.m.
Normal hours of operation: The museum is not open and is under renovation.
4
ROSEVILLE TELEPHONE MUSEUM106 Vernon Street,
Roseville • 916-786-1621
From magnetos to Mickey Mouse and everything in between, come absorb a little bit of telephone history. Presented by Consolidated Communications, formerly SureWest, this is among the most extensive collections of antique telephones and memorabilia in the nation. It’s fun, exciting and educational. Directions: From eastbound I-80, take Atlantic St.-Eureka Rd exit. Go west on Atlantic, stay straight to go onto Vernon St. The museum will be on your right.
Normal Hours of Operation: By appointment only.
5
LINCOLN AREA ARCHIVES MUSEUM640 Fifth Street, Old City Hall on the Plaza,
916-645-3800 • www.laamca.org
View Nisenan artifacts, Native American arrow heads, Gladding McBean & Co. photographs and displays, gold scale from Van Trent Mine, military displays and Chinese baskets. Delight your eyes with restored buggies and a grain scale from the local Walter Jansen & Son. Enjoy an on-going wood burning stove cooking demonstration. Prize drawings each day include books written by our local historian Jerry Logan, lectures on tape, postcards and items from local merchants. Beverages and cookies available.
Normal Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Friday 11:00-3:00 and the 1st Saturday of each month 11:00-3:00.
6
ROCKLIN HISTORY MUSEUM3895 Rocklin Road, Rocklin
916-624-3464 • www.rocklinhistory.org
Museum contains many photos of Rocklin pioneers, buildings and artifacts plus extensive story photos of J.P. Whitney’s land holdings and life in Rocklin. The basement contains antiqued quarry tools and railroad equipment. Saturday 11:15: Granite splitting demonstration and Antique Surface Splitting Machine explanation by Roy Ruhkala. Directions: From I-80, take the Rocklin Road exit. Turn west on Rocklin Road. The museum is one half mile at intersection of Rocklin Road and San Francisco Street, across from the City Hall. Park on San Francisco Street and enter museum’s back door.
Normal Hours of Operation: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday 1:00-4:00
7
GRIFFITH QUARRY MUSEUMTaylor and Rock Springs Roads, Penryn
916-663-1837 • www.placer.ca.gov/museum
Step back in time, literally, at the beautiful 23 acre Griffith Quarry Park and Museum this weekend! Come see our exhibits highlighting the early history of the granite industry in Placer County and a 1908 era Horse-Drawn wagon. Directions: From I-80 eastbound take the Penryn exit, turn left on Penryn Road then right on Taylor (approx 1/2 mile). Follow Taylor Road to top of hill, then right on Rock Springs. Entrance to Quarry will be on your immediate right.
Normal Hours of Operation: Saturday and Sunday 12:00-4:00
8
PLACER COUNTY MUSEUM101 Maple Street • 530-889-6500
theheritagetrail.blogspot.com
The museum provides an overview of Placer County history from Pleistocene fossils through the construction of I-80. Highlights include the Pate Collection of American Indian Artifacts, a mid-19th century printing press, and a large gold collection. Activities include: Alma Bell in the Women’s Jail (she was arrested for murdering her lover in 1909); author Art Sommers will be on hand to sell and sign his books (Auburn, Placer County, Dutch Flat and Donner Summit); The Placer County Genealogical Society will be present to answer questions about family research; and our “Deputy Sheriff” will help you make your own historic “mug shot” (bring your own camera!).
Normal Hours of Operation: Daily 10:00-4:00
9
GOLD COUNTRY MEDICALHISTORY MUSEUM219-100 Maple Street • 530-887-1915
www.goldcountrymedicalmuseum.com
The restored Victorian that houses the Medical Museum is on the site of the first hospital in Placer County, est. in 1855. Medical, dental and nursing implements, equipment, furnishings, pharmaceuticals, ephemera, and local history are displayed, plus a collection of “quackery” gizmos and gadgets. View a real doctor’s buggy in the carriage house. Activities include: demonstrations of quackery. Get “zapped” and “cured”; ongoing tours and explanations offered by qualified personnel; M&M pills dispensed by Dr. Feelgood as needed to cure moods, pains, and grouchiness in young and old; a prize drawing for Bleed, Blister, and Purge, a book about medicine in the Gold Rush era.
Normal Hours of Operation: Currently open by appointment.
10
AUBURN JOSS HOUSECHINESE MUSEUM200 Sacramento Street, Old Town Auburn
Contact day of event: 530-346-7121
View circa 1880’s Auburn’s original Joss House Altar and artifacts from early Auburn Chinese community; a house museum with a Chinese school; Ling Ying Association meeting place; and a hostel for transient Chinese primarily from the mid 1920s to late 1960s.
Normal Hours of Operation: Open 1st Saturday of the month, 10:00-3:00
11
BERNHARD MUSEUM291 Auburn-Folsom Road, Auburn
530-889-6500 • theheritagetrail.blogspot.com
Join us at the Bernhard Museum for good old-fashioned fun! Curl your tongue and prepare to blow in our watermelon seed-spitting contest …or enter to win a prize for Best Pie. Visit with Mrs. Bernhard herself, visit her home and learn about the building’s history from Gold Rush inn to immigrant farm to beloved museum. Build a replica produce crate, and be sure to explore our old-fashioned toy station and the wagons restored by the Native Sons of the Golden West. Snacks will be available and the local Girl Scouts will sell water. Don’t miss the fabric art demonstrations and quilt show on the second floor of Mr. Bernhard’s 1874 Winery. Bonitata Boutique Wines will have a selection available for tasting below.
Normal Hours of Operation: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00-4:00
12
GOLD RUSH MUSEUM601 Lincoln Way, Auburn • 530-889-6500
theheritagetrail.blogspot.com
After panning for gold with the Mother Lode Goldhounds, step inside the museum to uncover the many ways to Strike It Rich and enjoy exhibits on mining. Relax with a glass of lemonade before heading to the next museum.
Normal Hours of Operation: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00-4:00
13
THE BENTON WELTYSCHOOL ROOM1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn • 530-906-0712
Take a trip back to the 1920s at the Auburn Grammar School, built in 1915 and now Auburn’s City Hall. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Get a rare sense of old school days in a classroom packed with photos, scrapbooks, maps and old school books. Try your hand at string games and penmanship. Enter the free “just for kids” basket drawing. There is ample parking behind the building.
Normal Hours of Operation: Open by appointment only.
14
FORESTHILL DIVIDE MUSEUM24601 Harrison Street, Foresthill
530-367-3988 • www.placer.ca.gov/museum
Watch the blacksmiths craft period tools and get an up close look at the first motorized fire engine on the Divide. Be sure to visit our fascinating gold rush and lumber history exhibits. Bring your picnic and enjoy the park that surrounds the museum.
Normal Hours of Operation: Memorial Day to Labor Day Saturday and Sunday 12:00-4:00
15
COLFAX AREAHERITAGE MUSEUM99 Railroad Street, Colfax
530-346-8599 • www.colfaxhistory.org
This charming museum features the history of the railroad, gold mining, fruit ranching and the struggles of our pioneer families, the Maidu, and the Chinese. Musical performances by the Begin Family and the Lyrical Locos and a gold mining display and demonstration can be enjoyed on Saturday. On Sunday there will be guitar music.
Normal Hours of Operation: 10:00-3:00 Daily
16
GOLDEN DRIFT MUSEUM32820 Main Street, Dutch Flat
530-389-2126 • www.placer.ca.gov/museum
Visit the best preserved Gold Rush town in Placer County. This museum is dedicated to the history of Gold Run, Dutch Flat, Alta, Towle and Baxter. Displays include a historical photo gallery, Indian projectile points, fraternal organization memorabilia, Chinese artifacts, and mining and railroad displays. Refreshments will be served. Saturday and Sunday 11:00: Docent led half hour walking tour of historic Dutch Flat.
Normal Hours of Operation: Memorial Day thru September: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00-4:00
17
DONNER SUMMIT HISTORICALSOCIETY MUSEUM21501 Donner Pass Road, Norden
530-308-9668 • www.donnersummithistoricalsociety.org
Donner Summit is the richest historical area in California: first wagon trains to California, first transcontinental highway, railroad, telephone line, and air route. On both Saturday and Sunday the DSHS will conduct tours of Summit Canyon, starting at the top and heading downhill to Truckee Donner Land Trust’s information kiosk. Car shuttles will be organized to take walkers back up after the three mile walk. During the walk we’ll talk about the Lincoln Highway, the first emigrant wagon trains, Native American Petroglyphs, China Wall, snowsheds, etc. – all examples of the richest historical square mile in California. There will be many stories. Meet 10 AM either day at Donner Pass at the Sugar Bowl Academy on Old Highway 40.
Normal Hours of Operation: Saturday and Sunday 10:00-4:00
18
GATEKEEPERS’S MUSEUM130 West Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City
530-583-1762 • www.northtahoemuseums.org
The Gatekeeper’s Museum, featuring the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Collection, is a reconstruction of the original Gatekeeper’s cabin. Today the museum showcases Tahoe history from the original Washoe inhabitants through the logging era and establishment of the tourism industry in Tahoe Basin. The Steinbach Indian Basket Collection displays a breathtaking collection of over 800 vintage and contemporary Native American baskets, jewelry, pottery, dolls and more from western North America. Saturday: Historic Tahoe City Walking Tour at 10 am. Meet outside the Blue Agave Restaurant, 425 N. Lake Blvd. Sunday: The Railroad Regulators will return this summer to maintain peace on the museum grounds.
Normal Hours of Operation: Daily 10:00-5:00
19
WATSON CABIN560 North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City
530-583-8717 • Museum Phone Number: 530-583-1762
www.northtahoemuseums.org
Built in 1909 by Robert Montgomery Watson as a wedding present for his son, the Watson Cabin is the oldest building constructed on-site in Tahoe City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin is set up as a typical Tahoe pioneer family dwelling from that era with many artifacts from the Watson family. Docent tours are available on site at the Watson Cabin.
20
THE MUSEUM OF SIERRA SKI HISTORYAND THE 1960 WINTER OLYMPICS760 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
www.tahoemuseum.org
Visitors will learn the history of skiing in the Sierra and the history of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. On display are hundreds of artifacts including official Olympic items such as skis, racing bibs, official results, promotional literature andparticipation mementos. Dozens of never before exhibited banners, souveniers and spectaculor memorabilia from the Batiste Family Collection are also on display. Recent additions include artifacts from the World War II history of the 10th Mountain Division and replicates of the skis used for 19th century ski racing in the Sierra Nevada.
Normal Hours of Operation: Daily 11:00-6:00
