Sacramento Valley Museum facts for kids
Sacramento Valley Museum when it was still the Williams High School
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| Established | 1963 |
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| Location | 1491 E St, Williams, California 95987 |
| Type | History museum |
| Collection size | 19th to 20th century exhibits |
The Sacramento Valley Museum is a cool place to learn about history! It's located in Williams, California, in the heart of the Sacramento Valley. This museum shows off the history of the Sacramento Valley region. You can see old photos, amazing artifacts, beautiful quilts, and even old newspapers. It's like stepping back in time!
Museum's Story
From School to Museum
The building where the Sacramento Valley Museum is now was built in 1911. It was first used as Williams Union High School. Many students learned and graduated there until 1956. That's when a brand new high school was built.
After the school moved, the old building was empty for six years. But people in the Sacramento Valley didn't want it to stay empty. They decided to give it a new purpose!
Bringing the Museum to Life
In 1962, people started planning to turn the old school into a museum. An architect checked the building to see what repairs were needed. The roof, wiring, and heating all needed fixing. It was a big job, but volunteers helped a lot.
In February 1963, the museum opened its doors for the first time. It was open for about six months. Then, it closed again for more big repairs. Many people worked hard to fix the building and set up the exhibits. The museum officially opened for good in June 1964. Besides history exhibits, it also had art shows and art classes for the community.
Visiting the Museum
The Sacramento Valley Museum is open from March through October. You can visit Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It closes for the winter months, from November through February.
It's usually free to get in! However, if you visit with a group or by appointment, there might be a small fee. The museum is a non-profit organization. This means it relies on gifts from families, individuals, and companies. These donations help keep the museum running. They also help preserve old items and create new exhibits.
