Page 64 - North State Parent March 2023

MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL SITES NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE SPRING/SUMMER 2023
BUTTE COUNTY
Bidwell Mansion; Chico. Learn the history
of the mansion built in 1865 & the surround- ing 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. bid- wellmansionassociation.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; Chico. 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 muse- um 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; improve- ments 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 avail- able by request. Birthday parties Sat & Sun, 10am-noon & 2-4pm by reservation. info@ chicochildrensmuseum.org, chicochildrens- museum.org, 325 Main St. (530)809-1492. Chinese Temple & Museum Complex; Oro- ville. 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 display- ing 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 avail- able. Children ages 12 & under free. cityoforo- ville.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. From Earthquakes to Epidemics
will be at Gateway until December 17, and then we will follow Water’s Extreme Journey in Spring 2023. csuchico.edu/gateway. 625 Esplanade. (530)898-4121.
Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. The museum currently features rotating mini-ex- hibits in the lobby while they work towards opening their exhibition hall. Admission is free, though donations are graciously accept- ed. The Depot Museum is currently closed for repairs, but you can walk the grounds. Please call or updated information. Free. gnmuse- um.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 Mont- gomery 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; &
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. Dedi- cated 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 & Daugh- ters 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 pollinators, especially honey- bees, play in the environment. One out of every three bites we eat is thanks to a bee. Learn more about the history of beekeep- ing and the vital role pollinators play in our food supply through our immersive bee experiences. Now Open! New HONEY! Ex- hibit. Discover how honey is produced, see the anatomy of a bee up close, taste honey from different nectar sources and watch the honeybee’s work! Admission $3 adults, $2 kids ages 5-12. honeybeediscoverycen- ter.org. 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 Rail- road 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, Or. Four railroad clubs operate this 7-acre site featur- ing 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, OR. The museum us cur- rently undergoing renovations. Please check the website for updated information and ad- dress of temporary museum. This Center tells the story of Oregon Trail pioneers, explorers, miners and settlers of the frontier west Living history demonstrations, interpretive pro- grams, exhibits, multi-media presentations, special events & more than four miles of interpretive trails. Free. oregontrail.blm.gov. 2015 Main St. (541)523-1843.
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum; Ashland, OR. Hands-on exhibits & displays promoting the exploration of science and the arts. A multi-sensory environment for all ages. Summer camps, field trips, birth- day 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 speak- ers, petroglyph tours, live music & movie screenings. School programs & group guided tours by reservation. roseville. ca.us/indianmuseum. 1970 Johnson Ranch Dr. (916)774-5934.
64 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2023
• www.northstateparent.com
CHiCo
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
Where Children Learn, Play and Connect
Children’s museum with nearly 7,000 square feet of hands-on, imaginative play exhibits for children of all ages.
Check our Facebook page for special weekly happenings.
325 Main Street In the heart of downtown Chico (530) 809-1492 • chicochildrensmuseum.org
This ad graciously sponsored by Earl’s Plumbing