North State Parent magazine

A MAGAZINE SERVING FAMILIES IN BUTTE, GLENN, SHASTA, SISKIYOU & TEHAMA COUNTIES SINCE 1993

Museums & Historical Sites

BUTTE COUNTY

Bidwell Mansion; Chico. Learn the history of the mansion built in 1865 & the surrounding area at the visitor center. Take a guided tour of the 3-story, 26-room home of two of Chico’s founders, John & Annie Bidwell. bidwellmansionassociation.com. 525 Esplanade. (530)895-6144.

Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum; Oroville. Features the largest-known documented collection of hand tools in the US, with more than 12,000 items on display. Group discounts & tours available. Children ages 12 & under free. Search Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum at cityoforoville.org. 1650 Broderick St. (530)538-2528 or (530)538-2497.

Chico Air Museum; Chico Municipal Airport. Great fun for all ages. Educates and inspires about aviation and the history of flight. Features outdoor & indoor displays of aviation artifacts, full-sized historic aircrafts. World Class Aviation Speaker Series. Special events by arrangement; group visits, school field trips. Open Thu-Sun: June-October, 9am-2pm, November-May, 10am-3pm. Free. chicoairmuseum.org. 165 Ryan Ave. (530)345-6468.

Chico History Museum. Housed in the historic Carnegie Library building in downtown Chico; features both prestigious traveling exhibits & exhibits focusing on Chico & Butte County history. Group rates & tours available. chicohistorymuseum.org. 141 Salem St. (530)891-4336.

Chico Children’s Museum. With almost 7,000 square feet of exhibit space, the museum is focused on encouraging children and their caregivers to connect with imaginative play. Over the fall and winter, visitors will find an updated sensory room for a calming, therapeutic space for children; improvements to the camping room and a new play area. Walk-in admission Tu-Thu, 10am-1pm; Fri-Sun, 10am-4pm. Two-hour private group visits available Mondays. Special overnight trips and after-hours private events available by request. Birthday parties Sat & Sun, 10am-noon & 2-4pm by reservation.  info@chicochildrensmuseum.org, chicochildrensmuseum.org, 325 Main St. (530)809-1492.

Chinese Temple & Museum Complex; Oroville. Built in 1863, the temple is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is both a museum and active temple. The complex includes 3 temples, a Tapestry Hall displaying an extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, costumes & more; the Fong Lee Company Building displaying artifacts from the medicinal herb sales and shop of the Chan family. Group & classroom tours available. Children ages 12 & under free. Search Chinese Temple on cityoforoville.org. 1500 Broderick St. (530)538-2496 or (530)538-2497.

Gateway Science Museum; Chico. Visitors to Gateway Science Museum are welcomed by our saber-tooth cat and short-faced bear fossil replicas. These ice age mammals guide us through a paleontology exhibit, taking us far back in time to the Triassic era when the North State was under ancient sea. Check out the Discovery Room and meet our resident paleontologist, Sean. Our newest exhibit, From Earthquakes to Epidemics, takes guests through the impact of recent and historic disasters in California. These major events range from fires to floods, earthquakes to droughts, the 1918 flu to the COVID-19 pandemic. Water’s Extreme Journey in Spring 2023. csuchico.edu/gateway. 625 Esplanade. (530)898-4121.

Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. This friendly little museum located in the beautiful Paradise Community Park is focused on the history of the Butte County Railroad and the logging industry on the Paradise Ridge. The museum currently offers rotating mini exhibits in the lobby while they work toward re-opening their exhibition hall. Come take a look at the new and exciting changes being made. gnmuseum.art. 475 Pearson Rd. (530)762-2613.

Lott Home; Oroville. The C.F. Lott Home in Sank Park was built in 1856 by Charles F. Lott, gold rush pioneer, California senator and judge. The house and garden encompass an entire city block. Take a guided tour of the Victorian home, hear captivating stories of the Lott family and their importance to early California history. View original furnishings, paintings, clothes, silver and more. Group & classroom tours available. Children ages 12 & under free. cityoforoville.org. 1067 Montgomery St. (530)538-2401.

Museum of Northern California Art (monca); Chico. Housed in the former Veteran’s Memorial Hall, this new museum displays rotating exhibits to make art accessible and promote awareness of Northern California artists. $5/adults; children free. monca.org. 900 Esplanade. (530)487-7272.

National Yo-Yo Museum; Chico. This small world-class museum houses Big Yo, the world’s largest working wooden yo-yo; & the biggest public display of yo-yos & yo-yo memorabilia. Includes a vintage toy display. Free. nationalyoyo.org. Inside Bird in Hand toy store, 320 Broadway. (530)893-0545.

Oregon City School; Table Mountain. The oldest one-room school in Butte County. A California Historical Landmark, Oregon City was one of the 1st mining camps in the county, established in 1848 by a party of Oregonians who came to California. Also visit the nearby Oregon City covered bridge and tour the Cherokee Museum (by appt.) buttecountyhistory.com. 2100 Oregon Gulch Rd. (530)533-9418.

Patrick Ranch Museum; Durham. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the area’s rich agricultural heritage.  Tour the beautiful 1877 Glenwood Farmhouse museum and visit our gift shop and visitor center exhibits.  Annual events include the California Nut Festival in May, Country Fair and Tractor Show in June and Autumnfest in October.  School and group tours available.  patrickranchmuseum.org 10381 Midway, halfway between Chico and Durham.  (530)342-4359

Pioneer History Museum; Oroville. First opened in 1932 by the Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West and now operated by the City of Oroville, this museum was built as an oversized replica of a 49er’s cabin. The original building has been enlarged to hold 6,000-sq.-ft. of historic treasures. cityoforoville.org. 2332 Montgomery St. (530)538-2529.

Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology; Chico. New exhibitions annually, both in person & virtual. Offers family programs and school tours. Call for more information. Free. csuchico.edu/anthmuseum In the Meriam Library on the Chico State University campus, room 180. (530)898-5397.

GLENN COUNTY

Honeybee Discovery Center; Orland. The Honeybee Discovery Center teaches the importance of pollinators, especially honeybees, play in the environment. One out of every three bites we eat is thanks to a bee! Learn more about the history of beekeeping and pollinators’ vital role in our food supply through our immersive bee experiences. Our current exhibit, The Making of a Queen Bee, is being presented through June 2024. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6-12, and Free for kids 5 and under. Please visit our website at honeybeediscoverycenter.org for hours or to book a field trip or tour. 501 Walker Street. (530)805-BUZZ.

NEVADA COUNTY

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park; Nevada City. Visit the 3,000-acre park which encompasses the town of North Bloomfield & the historic Diggins site & is home to California’s largest hydraulic mine. There are many hiking, camping & fishing opportunities in the summer months & snowshoeing in the winter. Check the website for updated weather restrictions & guidelines. sierragoldparksfoundation.org/page/malakoff-diggins-state-historic-park  23579 North Bloomfield Rd. (530)265-2740.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; Nevada City. Dedicated to the preservation of local transportation history & artifacts from the narrow-gauge railroad era. Docent-led historical tours of the museum, railyard & restoration shop. See wooden rail cars & more, including an 1875 Baldwin locomotive that hauled lumber, passengers & freight, then became a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood. School & group tours available. Check website for most up to date hours. Free admission. ncngrrmuseum.org. 5 Kidder Ct. (530)470-0902.

OREGON

Medford Railroad Park; Medford. Four railroad clubs operate this 7-acre site featuring full-size train cars, caboose, hopper car, locomotive, HO scale model track & trains and operating outdoor garden railway. Free train rides to see bridges, waterfalls, tunnels and hills. Children love the Thomas the Train loop led by Thomas & Percy. Private train parties available. Open the 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month from April thru October. facebook.com/Medfordrailroadpark 799 Berrydale Ave. (541)613-1638.

National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center; Baker City. Reopening May 24, 2024. This center tells the story of Oregon Trail pioneers, explorers, miners and settlers of the frontier west Living his¬tory demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events & more than four miles of interpretive trails. Oregon Trail Days will be held June 7-8 at Geiser-Pollman Park, 1723 Madison St. Free. oregontrail.blm.gov. (541)523-1843.

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum; Ashland. Hands-on exhibits & displays promoting the exploration of science and the arts. A multi-sensory environment for all ages. Summer camps, field trips, birthday parties & other educational programs. scienceworksmuseum.org. 1500 E. Main St. (541)482-6767.

The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon; Medford. Features exciting indoor exhibits geared towards children ages 13 & under. Offers camps, classes & preschool. tcmso.org. 413 W. Main St. (541)772-9922.

PLACER COUNTY

Maidu Museum & Historic Site; Roseville. The museum houses interactive exhibits, displays & two art galleries showcasing contemporary California Native American art that changes throughout the year. Also hosts a variety of special events, including art receptions, campfires, cultural speakers, petroglyph tours, live music & movie screenings. School programs & group guided tours by reservation. roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum 1970 Johnson Ranch Dr. (916)774-5934.

PLUMAS COUNTY

Western Pacific Railroad Museum; Portola. Sit in the engineer’s seat of the largest diesel locomotive built, tour vintage passenger cars, climb aboard a restored caboose, tour freight cars and other locomotives. Rent a vintage diesel locomotive to operate on the museum grounds with instruction from private instructor. wplives.org. 700 Western Pacific Way. (530) 832-4131.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

California Museum; Sacramento. A wide, dynamic range of exhibits about California’s rich history, its diversity and its unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts & culture. Interactive experiences. californiamuseum.org. 1020 O St. (916) 653-7524.

California State Railroad Museum; Sacramento. Restored locomotives & train cars along with exhibits reflecting California’s rich railroading history. Tour a Pullman-style sleeping car & a dining car complete with railroad china table settings. Try out a high-speed train simulator and “experience” piloting a modern high-speed train. Train rides, excursions & fun special events. Located within Old Sacramento State Historic Park (National Landmark) with original & reconstructed buildings from the gold rush days. californiarailroad.museum. 111 I St. (916)323-9280.

SHASTA COUNTY

Behrens-Eaton House Museum; Redding. Depicts the life & times of the Victorian and gold rush eras in Northern California, featuring a library of historical data, photos and vintage books, plus antique clothing, furnishings & more. Free. eatonhousemuseum.org. Main House at 1520 West St., Display Museum at 1939 Butte St. (530)241-3454.

Courthouse Museum; Shasta. Part of Shasta State Historic Park, this former county courthouse is restored to its 1861 appearance and filled with historical exhibits. Includes a notable collection of early California artwork. View the remains of brick buildings that were once the center of intense activity during the gold rush era and visit historic roadways, cottages and cemeteries. parks.ca.gov. 15312 Highway 299 W. (6 miles west of Redding). (530)243-8194.

The Museum at Turtle Bay; Redding. The Museum at Turtle Bay is where art, science, history, forestry, and horticulture meet with permanent exhibits about our region and changing exhibitions from around the world. Our special Exhibitions Halls have hosted interactive, interesting displays from around the country. Year-round at Turtle bay you can get up-close and personal at the Visible River Aquarium, take a walk through a reproduction of the Shasta Caverns, and learn about the rock formations that make caves unique. Discover more about the lives of the Wintu people that call this area home by visiting the Cedar Bark House in the center of the Museum. Learn more about the Sundial Bridge’s debut on the Sacramento River and take a walk through our Local History Gallery. The Boardwalk between the Museum and Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp winds through a forest of cottonwoods and oaks, well above the seasonal wetland and year-round riparian habitat. Keep an eye out for some of the wild native creatures not part of Turtle Bay’s animal family. turtlebay.org. 844 Sundial Bridge Dr. (530)243-8850.

Wintu Museum & Cultural Resource Center; Shasta Lake City. A one-of-a-kind community project designed to provide a comprehensive immersion into the Wintu history & culture. Features include a historical timeline, artwork from Native Americans, traditional dug-out canoe, honor wall for Native American veterans & unique activities for children. Field trips available. wintutribe.com. 4755 Shasta Dam Blvd. (530)605-1726.

SISKIYOU COUNTY

Dunsmuir Railroad Depot Museum & Historical Society. This small museum showcasing Dunsmuir’s history is located in the former Southern Pacific Railroad dispatcher’s office. Features historical artifacts, railroad memorabilia, photographs & a model of the Dunsmuir Roundhouse. Hours are limited. Please check the website for updated information. Free. dunsmuirdepot.com. 5750 Sacramento Ave. (530)235-0839.

Etna Museum. Located in Etna’s first town hall, which was built to resemble Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. The hall also housed the fire department, library and jail. See a vintage parlor, 1890 farm kitchen, displays of tools, 1890s dresses and other unique collections, research items and more. Open May-August. May hours 11-2: Wed-Sat, June-August: 11-3 Wed-Sat. Occasionally open for Special Etna Events. discoversiskiyou.com. 520 Main St. For questions or special appointments, call Mary (530) 524-0137, Melanie (530) 598-1165 or Nancy (530)467-3495.

Fort Jones Museum Hundreds of artifacts depicting the lives of local tribes, trappers, miners, pioneers and & soldiers. Includes fossils, unusual rocks, vintage guns and one of the finest basket collections in Northern California. See carriages, buggies and vintage farm equipment in the carriage house. Free. fortjonesmuseum.com. 11913 Main St. (530)468-5568.

Heritage Junction Museum Of McCloud. Located in a historic 1904 building, the museum offers a large collection of artifacts, including the giant Corliss steam engine that powered the McCloud sawmill from 1903-1979. Features a photograph collection depicting the history of the town & surrounding area. Open from Memorial Day weekend to the end of September, weather permitting. Free. facebook.com/McCloudHeritageJunctionMuseum 320 Main St. (530)964-2604.

Lava Beds National Monument; Tulelake. The largest concentration of lava tube caves in North America. Ranger led activities Memorial Day-Labor Day. nps.gov/labe/index.htm. 1 Indian Well HQ. (530)667-8113.

Siskiyou Arts Museum; Dunsmuir. Exhibits & programs representing visual, literary and performing arts. A gallery and gift shop with work by local & regional artists. Free. siskiyouartsmuseum.org. 5824 Dunsmuir Ave. (530) 235-4711.

Siskiyou County Museum; Yreka. The Siskiyou County Museum was built in 1950 by the county to preserve the history of the area for future generations. Includes a collection of articles donated by the descendants of early pioneers along with exhibit galleries and an outdoor museum with original & recreated buildings from all over Siskiyou County. co.siskiyou.ca.us/museum. 910 S. Main St. (530) 842-3836.

Sisson Museum; Mt. Shasta. Located in a charming building at the Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery site. Displays, exhibits & special events focused on local history are updated regularly. Children’s activities include a vintage fire truck, a model railroad setup with locomotive control panel, a lava tube to explore, old-fashioned toys, and more. Gift shop features a great book selection, unique gift items & children’s toys. Class field trips available by appointment. mtshastamuseum.com. 1 N. Old Stage Rd. (530)926-5508.

Weed Historic Lumber Town Museum. Logging & town memorabilia, a jail cell & many interesting artifacts. weedlumbertownmuseum.org. 303 Gilman Ave. (530)938-0550.

TEHAMA COUNTY

Gaumer’s Mineral & Mining Museum; Red Bluff. Learn about gold mining, fossils, Native American artifacts, rocks, crystals and fluorescent minerals. Free. gaumers.com. 78 Belle Mill Rd. (530)527-6166.

Tehama County Museum; Tehama. Exhibits of artifacts that represent the cultural heritage of Tehama County. Private tours & group tours by appt. Free. facebook.com/tehamacountymuseum 275 C St. (530)384-2595.

William B. Ide Adobe State Historic Park; Red Bluff. The park memorializes pioneer William B. Ide and other settlers who contributed to California history. Visitor center, old adobe home, blacksmith shop and fun historic reenactment events & hands-on educational programs. Enjoy a picnic along the Sacramento River. Search William B. Ide Adobe SHP on Facebook or parks.ca.gov. 21659 Adobe Rd. (530)529-8599.

This page was last updated Mar-14-2024. For updates/corrections send us an email at frg@northstateparent.com and mention Museums & Historical Sites in the subject line.
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