Page 78 - North State Parent March 2022

MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL SITES
NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE SPRING/SUMMER 2022
GATEWAY SCIENCE MUSEUM
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. Travel through time to the Miocene and meet mastodons, camels, rhinos, tapirs and other critters you didn’t even know once lived here. If you visit on Fridays from 12-3pm, meet our resident paleontologist Sean and find out more about Fossils & Formations.
For a more modern adventure, Gear Up: The Science of Bikes will take you on a ride through the science of bicycling! Since its inception in the late 19th century, the bicycle has affected how people live, work, and play. Come explore how bikes work, their history, and the science and technology behind the machine. So, gear up and come on by! Gear Up runs through May 7. csuchico.edu/gateway/. 625 Esplanade, Chico. (530) 898-4121.
embroidered tapestries, costumes and more; the Fong Lee Company Building dis- playing artifacts from the medicinal herb sales and shop of the Chan family. Group
& classroom tours available. Children ages 12 & under free. cityoforoville.org. 1500 Broderick St. (530) 538-2496.
Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. An extensive collection of Maidu Indian artifacts. On the grounds, you will see a blacksmith shop, gold sluices and a miner’s cabin, a schoolhouse and a covered bridge that spans the width of a rushing creek. Free. gnmuseum.art. 5570 Black Olive Dr. (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 encom- pass an entire city block. Take a guided tour of the Victorian home, hear capti- vating 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 (mon- ca); 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; and the biggest public display of yo-yos and 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.). buttecountyhistoricalsociety.org. 2100 Oregon Gulch Rd. (530) 533-9418.
Paradise Depot Museum; Paradise. A full- sized restored caboose in addition to a 30- foot working HO gauge model of the Butte County Railroad. Kids have a blast running a button-operated model that represents the 33-mi. rail line that ran between Chico & Stirling City. Free. goldnuggetmuseum. com. 5570 Black Olive Dr. (530) 413-9129. Patrick Ranch Museum; Durham. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding & appreci- ation of the area’s rich agricultural heritage. See exhibits and tour the historic Glenwood Farmhouse, built in 1877. Fun and education- al annual events include the California Nut Festival (Apr.), the Country Faire & Threshing Bee (June) and Autumn Fest (Oct.). School & group tours available. patrickranchmuseum. org. 10381 Midway. (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 Anthropol- ogy; Chico. The Museum of Anthropology trains university students to become museum professionals through promoting respect & appreciation for human diversity. Free. csuchico.edu/anthmuseum. In the Meriam Library on the Chico State Univer- sity campus, room 180. (530) 898-5397.
GLENN COUNTY
Honeybee Discovery Center; Orland. The first interactive exhibit and museum of
its kind, the Honeybee Discovery Center teaches the importance of pollinators, especially honey bees, in the environment. Learn the history of beekeeping and visit
a pollinator garden. Free. Honeybeemuse- um.org. 501 Walker Street. honeybeedis- covery@gmail.com.
NEVADA COUNTY
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Rail-
road Museum; Nevada City. Dedicated to the preservation of local transportation history and artifacts from the narrow gauge railroad era. Docent-led historical tours of
the museum, railyard and restoration shop. See wooden rail cars and more, including
an 1875 Baldwin locomotive that hauled lumber, passengers and freight, then became a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hol- lywood. School & group tours available. Free admission. ncngrrmuseum.org. 5 Kidder Ct. (530) 470-0902.
OREGON
Medford Railroad Park; Medford, Or.
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 gar- den 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. south- ernoregonlivesteamers.com. 799 Berrydale Ave. (541) 944-9176.
BUTTE COUNTY
Bidwell Mansion; Chico. Learn the history of the mansion built in 1865 and the sur- rounding 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. bidwellmansionpark.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. boltsantiquetools.com. 1650 Broderick St. (530) 538-2528.
Chico Air Museum; Chico Municipal Air- port. Great fun for all ages. Educates and inspires about aviation and the history of flight. Features outdoor & indoor displays of aviation artifacts, research library, full- sized historic aircrafts. World Class Aviation Speaker Series. Special events by arrange- ment; group visits, school field trips. Free. chicoairmuseum.org. 165 Ryan Ave. (530) 345-6468.
Chico History Museum; Chico. Housed in the historic Carnegie Library building in downtown Chico; features both presti- gious traveling exhibits & exhibits focusing on Chico & Butte County history. Group rates & tours available. chicohistorymuse- um.org. 141 Salem St. (530) 891-4336.
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
78 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2022 • www.northstateparent.com
Open Thursday thru Saturday 11 am – 4 pm
A gateway to the fossil record of the North State. Walk through time and explore our region and its changing geology, climate, and inhabitants.
Explore how bikes work; the history and evolution of the bike; the science and technology behind the machine; and how bikes have impacted our culture.