Page 88 - Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2025

MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL SITES NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE SPRING/SUMMER 2025
Museums for All. Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP ben- efits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 1,400 museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID. Search their website by museum name or state to find a participating museum near you. museums4all.org. Chico Children’s Museum and Gateway Museum in Chico both participate in this program.
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 and 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 and tours available. Children ages 12 & under free. Search Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum at cityoforoville.org. 1650 Broder- ick 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. Fea- tures outdoor and 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. chicoairmu- seum.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 and exhibits focusing on Chico and Butte County history. Group rates and 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 chil- dren 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 Tue-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 Tapes- try Hall displaying an extensive collection of embroidered tapestries, costumes and more; the Fong Lee Company Building displaying artifacts from the medicinal herb sales and shop of the Chan family. Group and classroom tours available. Chil- dren ages 12 & under free. Search Chinese
Temple on cityoforoville.org. 1500 Broder- ick St. (530)538-2496 or (530)538-2497. Gateway Science Museum; Chico. Gateway inspires the exploration of science and natural history in our region and beyond. Through hands-on and minds-on exhibi- tions that change seasonally, discovery galleries for young learners, a native plants gardens bursting with biodiversity and dynamic public and school programs, Gate- way provides visitors of all ages many ways to connect with science and the natural environment and with each other. Family memberships available.csuchico.edu/gate- way. 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. 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 encom- pass an entire city block. Take a guided tour of the Victorian home, hear captivating sto- ries of the Lott family and their importance to early California history. View original furnishings, paintings, clothes, silver and more. Group and 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 Veterans 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.) 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, Country Fair & Tractor Show, Artisan Fair & Craft Show, and Autumn Fest. School and group tours 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 mu- seum 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 Montgom- ery St. (530)538-2529.
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropol- ogy; Chico State. Free admission Tuesday
– Friday 11-3 (plus first Saturday of month). Exhibits, lectures and programs designed to inspire and encourage self-reflection and dialogue in broadening the understand- ing of the human experience on the CSU Chico campus and beyond. 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, 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 NEW exhibit, BEE-NATOMY 101is now open. Visit us on social media or at honeybeedis- coverycenter.org for hours or to book a field trip or tour. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6-12 and Free for kids 5 and under. 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 and the historic Diggins site and is home to California’s largest hydraulic mine. There are many hiking, camping and fishing opportu- nities in the summer months and snow- shoeing in the winter. Check the website for updated weather restrictions and guide- lines. 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 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 Hollywood. School and 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 featur- ing full-size train cars, caboose, hopper car, locomotive, HO scale model track and 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 and Percy. Private train parties available. Open the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month from April thru
October. facebook.com/Medfordrailroad- park. 799 Berrydale Ave. (541)613-1638. National Historic Oregon Trail Interpre- tive Center; Baker City. This center tells the story of Oregon Trail pioneers, explorers, miners and settlers of the frontier west Living history demonstrations, interpretive programs, exhibits, multimedia presenta- tions, special events and more than four miles of interpretive trails. 1723 Madison St. Free. oregontrail.blm.gov. (541)523-1843. ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum; Ashland. Hands-on exhibits and displays promoting the exploration of science and the arts. A multi-sensory environment for all ages. Summer camps, field trips, birthday parties and 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 and preschool. tcmso.org. 413 W. Main St. (541)772-9922.
PLACER COUNTY
Maidu Museum & Historic Site; Roseville. Houses interactive exhibits, displays and two art galleries showcasing contemporary California Native American art that changes throughout the year. Hosts a variety of special events, including art receptions, campfires, cultural speakers, petroglyph tours, live music and movie screenings. School programs and group guided tours by reservation. roseville.ca.us/indianmuse- um. 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 and culture. Interactive experiences. californiamuseum.org. 1020 O St. (916) 653-7524.
California State Railroad Museum; Sacra- mento. Restored locomotives and train cars along with exhibits reflecting California’s rich railroading history. Tour a Pullman-style sleeping car and 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 and fun special events. Lo- cated within Old Sacramento State Historic Park (National Landmark) with original and reconstructed buildings from the gold rush days. californiarailroad.museum. 111 I St. (916)323-9280.
88 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Spring/Summer 2025 • www.northstateparent.com
MULTIPLE COUNTIES