Sacramento History Museum facts for kids
Sacramento History Museum entrance
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| Former name | Sacramento History Center Discovery Museum Gold Rush History Center |
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| Established | 1985 |
| Location | 101 I Street, Sacramento, California, United States |
| Type | Historical museum |
The Sacramento History Museum is a fun place to learn about the past in Sacramento, California. It teaches visitors all about Sacramento's history and the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. You can find the museum in the Old Sacramento State Historic Park, right by the Sacramento River. It's located between the famous Tower Bridge and the I Street Bridge.
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Museum History: How It Started
The museum first opened its doors in 1985. Back then, it was called the Sacramento History Center. Its goal was to show off old items and records from the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center.
In 1993, the History Center joined with the Sacramento Science Center. They became one big group called the Sacramento Museum of History, Science, and Technology. This new group ran two museum spots under the name "Discovery Museum." The location in Old Sacramento kept focusing on the history of the city and the Gold Rush. It was then renamed the "Discovery Museum Gold Rush History Center."
In July 2008, the history and science parts separated again. The museum's name officially changed to the Sacramento History Museum. It is now managed by both the City and County of Sacramento and a group called the Sacramento History Alliance. This alliance is a non-profit organization that works hard to save Sacramento's history.
Museum Building: A Look Back in Time
The museum building you see today is a copy of Sacramento's first City Hall and Waterworks building from 1854. It's made of natural brick and has two floors with tall double doors at the front. Inside, the museum has 7,000 square feet of space for displays. It even includes a historic print shop!
The original city hall was Sacramento's very first building for city government. It cost about $120,000 to build in 1853, which would be around $4.8 million today. This building held many important city offices. These included the mayor's office, the city jail, a hospital, and a court. City offices used the building until 1909. The original building was torn down in 1913, but a small part of the old jail still remains.
Museum Exhibits: What You Can See
The museum's exhibits cover many interesting topics. You can learn about the California Gold Rush and mining. There are also displays about the Nisenan and Maidu Indian Nations. Other exhibits explore fur trapping, farming, and the different cultures that shaped Sacramento. Many of the items on display come from the Center for Sacramento History's large collection.
The Historic Print Shop
One of the coolest parts of the museum is its working print shop. It has old printing presses that still work! In 2020, when the museum had to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they found a new way to connect with people. They started a social media account on TikTok. Videos showing a volunteer named Howard Hatch using the printing presses became super popular online.
As of June 2024, the Sacramento History Museum's YouTube channel has over 3.24 million followers. It also has more than one billion views! Their TikTok account is also very popular, with over 2.7 million followers.
Museum Programs: Explore Old Sacramento
The Sacramento History Alliance and the Sacramento History Museum also offer tours of Old Sacramento. One popular tour is the "Old Sacramento Underground" tour. This tour shows how the city was raised up after floods damaged many buildings in the 1860s and 1870s. It's a unique way to see how Sacramento adapted to challenges!
See also
Images for kids
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The Sacramento History Museum (left) with the Big Four Building (foreground)
