For Science Museums, please see section Nature & Wildlife Centers, Organizations & Rescues

Butte County

Bidwell Mansion; Chico. Learn about the area’s history with a guided tour of the 3-story 26-room historic mansion & beautiful grounds. Open M-W, 12-4pm; Sat/Sun, 11am-4pm. Tours last about 1hr & cost $3-$6; children 4yrs & under free. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460. 525 Esplanade. (530) 895-6144.

Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum; Oroville. Features the largest known documented collection of hand tools in the United States. Celebrates the tools that built our world with approximately 5,000 items on display. Daily, 10am-3:45pm. $3/adults, children free. Tours available. www.boltsantiquetools.com. 1650 Broderick St. (530) 538-2528.

Chico Air Museum; Chico. Outdoor & indoor displays of aviation artifacts, book & video aviation library. Five full-sized aircraft, P-51 pedal plane small children can use, annual Chico Air Show (Aug.) with aviation history programs & special exhibits. F-Sun, 9am-5pm. Free. www.chicoairmuseum.org. Chico Municipal Airport, 170 Convair Ct. (530) 345-6468.

Chico Museum; Chico. Housed in the former Carnegie Library building in downtown Chico, hosted exhibits include prestigious traveling exhibits & exhibits focusing on local Chico & Butte County history. W-Sun, 12-4pm. $3/adults; $2 students; 14 & under free. Group rates & tours avail. http://chicomuseum.org. 2nd & Salem Sts. (530) 891-4336.

Gold Nugget Museum & Paradise Depot Museum; Paradise. Exhibits, living history events, Maidu Indian artifacts, 1904 train depot, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, miner’s cabin & covered bridge. G.N. Museum open W-Sun, 12-4pm; P.D. Museum open weekends & holidays, 12-4pm. 502 Pearson Rd. www.goldnuggetmuseum.com. (530) 872-8722.

Museum of Anthropology; Chico. Exhibitions & events promoting respect & appreciation for human cultural diversity. Open Tue-Sat, 11am-3pm. Free. CSU, The museum is located in the Meriam Library complex, next to the Janet Turner Museum at Warner & W. 2nd St. www.csuchico.edu/anth/museum. (530) 898-5397.

 

National Yo-Yo Museum; Chico. Small world-class museum that includes “Big Yo” (the world’s largest working wood yo-yo) & a vintage toys display. Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun 12-5pm. Free. Located in Bird in Hand (store), 320 Broadway. www.nationalyoyo.org. (530) 893-0545.

Patrick Ranch Museum; Durham. Open year-round to the public. Sat 10am-2pm. Tour the 1st floor of the Glenwood Mansion. Hosts special events including California Nut Festival (April 2012), the annual County Faire & Threshing Bee community event (June 9-10, 2012) & the Omega Nu Barn Dance (Sept. 24, 2011). School tours avail. www.patrickranchmuseum.org. 10381 Midway. (530) 342-4359.

Pioneer Memorial Museum; Oroville. Impressive collection of artifacts & memorabilia preserving the memories of California Pioneers, especially from the Butte County area. $3 ages 12+. Fri-Sun, 12-4pm. Closed Dec. & Jan. 2332 Montgomery St. www.cityoforoville.org/index.aspx?page=131. (530) 538-2497.

Stansbury Home; Chico. This Victorian home is a classic example of Italianate architecture & has been a part of Chico since 1883. Annual events include: Ice Cream Social (Aug.) & Victorian Christmas celebration (Dec.). Visit year-round, Sat/Sun, 1-4-pm (closed holidays). 307 W. 5th St. (530) 895-3848.

Shasta County

Anderson Historical Society Museum; Anderson. Features artifacts, photographs, maps, books, pioneer histories & the Stabler Civil War gun collection. Tue/Thu/Sat, 11am-4pm. 2330 Ferry St. www.andersonhistory.org. (530) 365-7045.

Behrens-Eaton House Museum; Redding. Features a comprehensive collection of documents relating to the history of Shasta County. Special collection recounts the history of the county’s schools. Children’s room features toys, clothes & artifacts. Free admission. Tues/Wed 10am-4pm & Sat 1-4pm. www.eatonhousemuseum.org. 1520 West St., & 1939 Butte St. (530) 241-3454.

Turtle Bay Museum; Redding. Features interactive multi-media exhibits & galleries, historic exhibits & re-creations, activities for children & more, at the heart of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. April-Oct.: 9am-5pm daily; Nov.-Mar.: Wed-Sun, 9am-4pm. Admission $10-$14. www.turtlebay.org. 840 Sundial Bridge Dr. (800) 887-8532.

Siskiyou County

Sisson Museum; Mt. Shasta. Located in a charming building at the Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery site. Features displays, exhibits & special events about local history, & a gift shop with great book selection & info. June-Sept.: M-Sat, 10am-4pm & Sun, 1-4pm; April-May & Oct-Dec: 1-4pm daily. Closed Jan.-March. www.mountshastasissonmuseum.org. 1 N. Old Stage Rd. (530) 926-5508.

Weed Historic Lumber Museum; Weed. Features logging & town memorabilia, a jail cell, many artifacts . Off-season tours avail. by appt. Open daily late May-Sept; 10am-5pm. www.snowcrest.net/whm. 303 Gilman Ave. (530) 938-0550.

Tehama County

Gaumer’s Mineral & Mining Museum; Red Bluff. Educational & entertaining for visitors of all ages. Gold mining, fossils, Native American artifacts, rocks, crystals & fluorescent minerals. Open M-F, 9am-5pm; Tours avail. www.gaumers.com. 78 Belle Mill Rd. (530) 527-6166.

William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park; Red Bluff. The Park memorializes William B. Ide & other settlers who contributed to CA history. Visitors center, ranch buildings, blacksmith shop, fun historic re-enactment events & hands-on educational programs. Enjoy a picnic along the Sacramento River. Call for hours. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=458. 21659 Adobe Rd. (530) 529-8599.

Tehama County Museum; Tehama. See artifacts that represent the cultural heritage of Tehama County & Northern California. Open Fri-Sun, 1-4pm. Free. www.tehamamuseum.org. 275 C St. (530) 384-2595.