Heritage Trail

TRAIL

CALENDAR

SUMMER LONG ADVENTURE 2023

26+ MUSEUMS - ROSEVILLE TO TAHOE!

Welcome Trail Travelers!

We are glad you decided to join us on the 2023 Heritage Trail Museums Tour. This is the 14th year for the event and 26 museums from Roseville to Tahoe/Truckee are opening their doors free of charge for certain days throughout the summer. All 26 museums are committed to showcasing history in a fun and entertaining way. For many Trail Travelers, this event has become a family tradition. Geographic clusters of museums will have their Heritage Trail event on certain Saturdays (and one Sunday) throughout the summer. This way you have the whole summer to visit participating museums.

If you can’t make it on a museums’ Heritage Trail Day, you can visit them during their regular hours of operation and still get your Get-Up-And-Go cards stamped! All museums have free admission on their Heritage Trail Day (see calendar below). If you visit them on any other day, you will have to pay admission if applicable.

Whether you are from Auburn, Reno, San Francisco, or Boston, please 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. If you are a student entering K thru 12^th grade in the fall of 2023, you can enter a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy tablet, a Kindle Fire or backpacks full of school supplies by completing a student scavenger hunt card. Scavenger hunt cards are available in participating museums.

Please read the calendar on the following pages. Thanks again for joining us. We hope you have a great time!

Ralph Gibson

Placer County Museums Administrator

Chief Organizer of the Heritage Trail

TRAIL TIPS

THE FOLLOWING TRAIL TIPS WILL HELP YOU PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE.

· For questions about The Heritage Trail, please call 530-889-6500.

· 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.

· If you can’t make it to a museum on their Heritage Trail Day, please visit them during regular hours of operation.

· This year it will take 4 stamps on your Get-Up-And-Go card to qualify for a gift basket drawing.

Event Website: www.theheritagetrail.blogspot.com

Heritage Trail 2023 Calendar

June 3^rd 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Sierra College Natural History Museum 10:00 am - Noon

5000 Rocklin Rd., Rocklin

916-660-7923 https://www.sierracollege.edu/about-us/visit/natural-history-museum.php

Explore exhibits on contemporary nature in our region as well as fossils of life that lived millions of years ago. Enjoy the special program “Living Under a Microscope.”

Normal hours of operation: Open when school is in session; first Saturday of the month 10:00 am - Noon.

June 10^th

The Wheatland History Museum 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

111 Main St. Wheatland, CA

Wheatlandhistoricalsociety@gmail.com

The primary purpose of the Wheatland Historical Society is to discover, collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge concerning the history of the Wheatland area in the County of Yuba and the State of California.

Normal hours of operation: First Saturday of the month 10:00 – 2:00 pm

Lincoln Area Archives Museum 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

640 Fifth St., Lincoln

916-645-3800 www.laamca.org

View Nisenan artifacts, Gladding McBean & Co photographs, a gold scale from the Van Trent Mine, military uniforms and artifacts, and Chinese baskets. Also on display are a restored buggy and a grain scale from the local Walter Jansen & Son.
Lincoln local author Christina Richter will have a book signing during the Heritage Trail event for her book “Past and Present Placer County.” Also, you have to see our replica of the Lincoln Depot. It’s wonderful.
Normal hours of operation: Thursday through Saturday 11:00-3:00.

Fruitvale Schoolhouse Museum 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

3425 Fruitvale Rd., Lincoln

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

Witness the education that farm children received 100 years ago in a one room schoolhouse in rural Lincoln. Experience hands-on Living History activities and be sure to bring your picnic basket and enjoy lunch on the grounds!

Normal hours of operation: 2nd Sunday of the month Noon to 4:00 pm.

June 17^th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Bernhard Museum

291 Auburn Folsom Rd., Auburn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

Dive into family-friendly living history fun! Explore vintage toys and wagons. Some of our Living History Stations will be open for visitors! Challenge your knuckles—do laundry the old-fashioned way. Dress up in 19th century style and take advantage of multiple photo opportunities. The Placer County Genealogical Society will be on hand to offer guidance on family history research.

Be sure to refresh your family with watermelon and hand-cranked ice cream!

Normal hours of operation: Tuesday–Friday 1:00 – 4:00 pm, Weekends 11:00 – 4:00 pm

Benton Welty School Room

1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn

530-906-0712 www.placercountyhistoricalsociety.org

Auburn Grammar School, built in 1915 (now Auburn City Hall), 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 schoolbooks. Try your hand at string games and penmanship. Young visitors will be engaged with 1916 classroom activities. Enter the free “just for kids” basket drawing. Ample parking behind building.

Normal hours of operation: Open by appointment only.

Gold Country Medical History Museum

219 Maple St., Auburn

530-885-1252 www.goldcountrymedicalmuseum.com

Restored Victorian building is on the site of the original Placer County hospital. See medical, dental and nursing implements, equipment, furnishings, pharmaceuticals, ephemera, and a collection of “quackery”. They offer demonstrations of quackery, tours and interpretation of artifacts. Visit this museum before it closes at the end of summer and the collection moves to the University of Nevada, Reno!

Normal hours of operation: Saturdays 11:00-3:00 (Last summer of operation)

June 24^th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Maidu Museum & Historic Site

1970 Johnson Ranch Dr., Roseville

916-774-5934 www.roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum

Explore site where Valley Nisenan Maidu Indians lived for thousands of years; discover native plants and over 400 bedrock-grinding holes; experience unique and rare sandstone petroglyphs; hand-on children’s activities, guided tours at 10:00 and 1:00, and an indigenous art gallery. Gift Shop offers a wide selection of books about Native Californians, handmade jewelry, minerals, arrowheads and snacks & drinks.

Normal hours of operation: Thursday-Friday 9:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturdays 10:00-5:00 pm.

Roseville Telephone Museum

106 Vernon St., Roseville

916-786-1621 www.consolidated.com/museum

The Roseville Telephone Museum has one of the most extensive collections of antique telephones and memorabilia in the nation. The exhibits in the 4,500 square-foot museum chronicle and celebrate more than a century of communications technology in Roseville as well as nationally and internationally. A visit to the Roseville Telephone Museum makes a fun and educational family outing, a great school field trip or a group sight-seeing tour destination. Our museum docents are current and retired employees who are passionate about telephone history and volunteer their time to share it with visitors of all ages. Presented by Consolidated Communications, this museum offers rare collectible and historical telephones, a working telegraph, and hands-on demonstrations of an early switchboard.

Normal Hours of Operation: First Saturday of the month 10:00 – 2:00.

Roseville Historical Society Carnegie Museum

557 Lincoln St., Roseville

916-773-3003 www.rosevillehistorical.org

The Roseville Historical Society's Carnegie Museum and Archives is filled with artifacts and ephemera of Roseville's past! We highlight our train display, a massive "N" gauge model railroad depicting Roseville's Old Town and peeks into our turn-of-the-century past. We also feature the pioneer Roseville Fiddyment family, beginning with matriarch Elizabeth Jane and the next several generations who worked the land and used its resources to make a living. The featured display this year is a turn of the century parlor set and a display of Latino culture.

Normal hours of operation: Tuesday thru Friday 12:00- 4:00 pm; 2^nd Saturdays 10:00-2:00.

July 8^th

Loomis Basin Historical Society at the Loomis Library and Community Learning Center 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

6050 Library Dr., Loomis

916-824-2905 http://loomislibrary.org/

View photos and exhibits on Loomis Basin pioneers, businesses, ethnic groups, and life on the fruit ranch. Enjoy a video featuring vintage footage of fruit packing in the 1930s. Browse the genealogy and local history book collection in the library. Take a stroll downtown on the Loomis Legacy Loop self-guided walking tour, where you can view colorful murals and sidewalk tiles replicating many local fruit crate labels. Use your cell phone to dial 916-512-1206 to hear recorded messages about the history behind each mural.

Normal hours of operation: Tues. 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Wed. – Sat. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Griffith Quarry Museum 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Corner of Taylor and Rock Springs Roads, Penryn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

View exhibits on granite quarrying, the Penryn Granite Works business, the history of Penryn and the Griffith Family. Inside are two great hands-on exhibits and a guided tour of the historic Quarry Park will be offered at 8:30 am.

Normal hours of operation: Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Rocklin History Museum 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

3895 Rocklin Rd., Rocklin

916-624-3464 www.rocklinhistorical.org

Home of Rocks, Rails and Ranches. View exhibits on Rocklin pioneers, railroad history, buildings and granite quarrying plus extensive photographs and interpretation of J.P. Whitney and his land holdings. Granite splitting demonstration at 11:00 am – you can’t miss this!

Normal hours of operation: Saturday and Sunday 1:00-4:00 pm

July 15^th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Golden Drift Museum

32820 Main St., Dutch Flat

530-389-2126 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

Visit the best-preserved Gold Rush town in Placer County. View exhibits on nearby towns, hydraulic mining, the railroad, the Towle Lumber Company, the Maidu Indians, and the Chinese. A large collection of historic photographs will help you experience Dutch Flat in its heyday. Guided walking tour of Dutch Flat at 10:00am (1 hour) followed by Cemetery Tour at 11:30am (1.5 hrs). *Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and water* Open house at several original buildings in town: United Methodist Church, the Odd Fellows Hall, and the Dutch Flat Hotel. Don't miss this unique opportunity to view these fascinating historic buildings from 1:00-3:00pm. Free refreshments.

Normal hours of operation: Memorial Day- thru the end of September: Friday – Sunday 12:00-4:00 pm (open summer holidays)

Colfax Area Heritage Museum 9:00 – 4:00 pm

99 Railroad St., Colfax

530-346-8599 www.colfaxhistory.org

Experience exhibits on the history of the railroad, gold mining, pioneer life, as well as collections of Maidu Indian and Chinese artifacts. There will be live music and tours of the Placer-Sierra Railroad Heritage Society caboose with railroad equipment and history displays.

Normal hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 -2:00 pm

July 22^nd

Placer County Museum (Historic Courthouse) 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

101 Maple St., Auburn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

Overview of Placer County history, Pate Collection of American Indian Artifacts, gold collection, restored Sheriff’s Office, Women’s Jail with Alma Bell, make your own wanted poster and the Placer County Genealogical Society will offer guidance on family history research.

Normal hours of operation: Daily 10:00-4:00 pm

Gold Rush Museum 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

601 Lincoln Way, Auburn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

Pan for gold in our indoor panning stream, tour museum which includes a replica mining tunnel, gold rush era artifacts, a Gold Rush Twitter wall, Ghost Town and play an interactive Gold Rush game.

Normal hours of operation: Thursday thru Sunday 10:30 – 4:00 pm

Western States Trail Museum (Placer County Visitor’s Bureau) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

1103 High St., Auburn

530-889-6500 www.wstrailmuseum.org

The Western States Trail Museum will provide for the collection and display of historic items relating to the Western States Trail route through the Sierra Nevada. This rugged route was used during the early history of California and Nevada by Native Americans, pioneers and gold rush emigrants, and early Express Riders of Wells Fargo and Adams Express Companies. The Western States Trail is also home to the Tevis Cup and 100-mile endurance run. Our aim is to open Fall of 2023. Enjoy a small sample of some of the historic objects and photographs in our collection at the Placer County Visitor’s Bureau!

Normal Hours of operation: Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 – 4:30 pm

The Joss House Museum and Chinese History Center 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

200 Sacramento St., Auburn

www.auburnjosshouse.org
Built in the early 1920s by Charles Yue, leader of local Tong association and community steward for the Auburn Chinese population, the “Joss House” began as a boarding house but was soon converted to the Ling Ying Association (Brave Heroes) meeting place. Here the (c.1880) original Altar was transferred from a previous joss house and placed into service. ‘Charlie’ also established Auburn’s only Chinese school where his children and others of the community could learn to read, write and translate Chinese, as well as study the history and culture of China. The “Joss House” also served as a meeting place and a hostel for transient Chinese from the early 1920s to the late 1960s.

Normal hours of operation: Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day, Saturdays 10:30 – 2:30

August 5^th 9:00 am

Summit Tunnel Conservation Association Hike

19195 Donner Pass Rd., Norden (but will come up as “Truckee” for USPS purposes)

Contact: 530-305-2241

Once the parking lot is full, overflow parking will be at Donner Ski Ranch just to the west on Donner Pass Road. The hike will cover the history of the area with an emphasis on the Chinese laborers who built the Transcontinental Railroad over the pass. Learn about the efforts to recognize this site as a National Historic Landmark. Bring a lunch, water, wear good hiking shoes and sunscreen and/or a hat.

August 13^th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (SUNDAY)

Gatekeepers Museum

130 West Lake Blvd., Tahoe City

530-583-1762 www.northtahoemuseums.org

View the Marion Steinbach Native American Basket Museum, one of the largest Native American Basket Collections in the US. Also featuring exhibits on Tahoe history, maritime, restaurant and movie industries. Special exhibits on Lake Tahoe maps and early 20th century photography.

Normal hours of operation: Wednesday - Sunday 11:00-4:00

Watson Cabin

560 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City

530-583-1762 www.northtahoemuseums.org

Built in 1909 by Robert Watson as a wedding present for his son, the Watson Cabin is the oldest building constructed onsite in Tahoe City and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. View pioneer artifacts from early Tahoe with docent-led tours.

Contact for appointment.

August 19^th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Museum of Truckee History

10065 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee www.museumoftruckeehistory.org

View exhibits on the Native Americans who settled in the area, the construction and development of the Transcontinental Railroad, logging, ice, California’s first lager beer, and the development of local recreation including the 1960 Winter Olympics. This is a brand-new museum, so be sure to visit us anytime – especially on our Heritage Trail Day!

Normal hours of operation: Friday- Sunday 10:00 – 4:00 pm

*The Truckee River Railroad will also be operating at nearby Truckee Regional Park. Check the Heritage Trail blog for more information (www.theheritagetrail.blogspot.com)

Truckee Railroad Museum

10075 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee www.truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com/museum/museum.htm

Inside the museum are stories, pictures, recreations, and railroad artifacts depicting the impact of railroads in the formation and development of Truckee. The First Transcontinental Railroad, Logging Railroads, and Tourism by Rail all played an important part in Truckee’s history.

Normal hours of operation: Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 – 4:00 pm

Truckee Old Jail Museum

10142 Jibboom St., Truckee

530-582-0983 www.truckeehistory.org/old-jail-museum

View exhibits on the history of the jail and a wide variety of local artifacts and photographs. You will see relics from other important industries including lumbering, box manufacturing and ice harvesting. Other exhibits pay tribute to the film industry, which thrived in Truckee during the 1920's along with gambling and bootlegging. Also exhibited are artifacts from the Truckee's early winter sports era, including early skiing equipment.

Normal hours of operation: Summer: Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 4:00 pm

August 26^th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

DeWitt History Museum

2985 Richardson Dr., Auburn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/museums

View exhibits on the history of the DeWitt Government Center from its inception as a World War II Army Hospital, its use as a State Mental Hospital and finally its use as a Placer County Government Center. Displays will also cover the use of German Prisoners of War from nearby Camp Flint and the Internment of Japanese Americans.

Normal hours of operation: Wednesdays Noon – 4:00 pm

Placer County Museums Archives and Collections Facility

11526 C Ave., Auburn

530-889-6500 www.placer.ca.gov/Museums

View exhibits in the foyer or go on a guided tour to see where we store thousands of artifacts, documents, historic ledgers and photographs.

Normal hours of operation: Mon.-Tues & Fri. 9:00 – 3:00 pm

September 2^nd 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Forest Hill Divide Museum

24601 Harrison St., Foresthill

530-367-3988 www.foresthillhistory.org

Watch blacksmiths craft period tools, view exhibits on mining, Native American Heritage, the lumber industry, fires & firefighting and life in the Victorian era. Visitors can enjoy Interactive Entertainment …bringing history to life. They are made up of notable outlaws and marshals who teach as well as entertain about the heritage of the Gold Rush. The Foresthill Divide Chamber of Commerce will also sponsor hands on kids activities, music, craft & food booths in the Memorial Park. More activities to be announced by the Chamber. The Forest Hill Divide Museum combines their Heritage Trail with the town’s annual Heritage Festival.
Normal hours of operation: Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day Weekend Saturdays & Sundays 12:00-4:00 pm; also open July 4^th

Donner Summit Historical Society’s 20 Mile Museum and History Hub

Though their museum is closed this year for renovations, the Donner Summit Historical Society invites you to learn their history. While you are in the Truckee/Tahoe/Donner Summit area visit the 20 Mile Museum with 50 interpretive signs from Auburn to Truckee. Each has a story, the history of the spot, a map, and things to do right there. Donner Summit Brochures are available at the Welcome Center in Truckee and the Visitors’ Center in Tahoe City.

The brochure can also be downloaded at: http://www.donnersummithistoricalsociety.org/pages/20MileMuseum.html

Get-Up-And-Go Cards

You can pick-up your Get-Up-And-Go cards at the first Heritage Trail Day (June 3^rd) from the Sierra College Natural History Museum. After that day, you can pick up Get-Up-And-Go cards from any participating museum. You can pick up cards and get them stamped on any day the museum is open throughout the summer. This year, it will take 4 stamps on your card to enter the drawing for a gift basket. Please remember that you can only play one Get-Up-And-Go card at a time. You are free to start another card once you have turned in a fully stamped card. Cards must be turned in by 4:00 pm by September 4^th at any participating museum.

*NOTE*

Although the Gold Country Medical History Museum is moving to the University of Nevada Reno, they may be open for the Heritage Trail on June 17^th.

Though we have not heard from the group that manages the Auburn Chinese Joss House, we are hopeful they can participate in the Heritage Trail, likely on July 22^nd.

Please keep checking our blog for up-to-date information.

www.theheritagetrail.blogspot.com