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Maidu Museum & Historic Site facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Maidu Museum & Historic Site
Strap Ravine Nisenan Maidu Indian Site grinding holes 2014.jpg
Grinding holes at the historic site
Established 1998
Location 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive
Roseville, California,
United States
Type Interpretive Center

The Maidu Museum & Historic Site is a special place in Roseville, California. It's like a learning center that teaches everyone about the Maidu people. The Maidu are a group of Native Americans who have lived in what is now California for a very long time.

Discover the Maidu Museum

The Maidu Museum & Historic Site helps visitors understand the rich history and culture of the Maidu people. It's a place where you can learn about their traditions, their way of life, and how they lived on this land.

A Look Back in Time

The museum is built on an ancient site. This very spot was once home to Nisenan Maidu families for about 3,000 years! That's a really long time ago. When you visit, you can see many clues from their past.

Amazing Ancient Clues

You'll find hundreds of bedrock mortar holes. These are special holes in rocks where people used to grind acorns and other foods. There are also petroglyphs, which are ancient drawings carved into sandstone boulders. These carvings are a type of rock art that tell stories or share messages from long ago. You might also see a large "midden area." This is like an ancient trash pile, but it's full of clues about what people ate and used every day. All these things show that people lived here for thousands of years.

The site is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's recognized as a special place in American history.

What You Can See and Do

The Maidu Museum & Historic Site is unique because it shows you what Maidu life was truly like. The museum offers many ways to learn:

  • Interpretive programs: These are guided tours or talks that explain the history and culture.
  • Exhibits: Displays with artifacts and information.
  • Multi-media presentations: Videos or interactive screens that bring the past to life.
  • Special events: Fun activities and celebrations throughout the year.

It's a great place to visit and learn about the people who lived here long before us!

See also