Page 76 - North State Parent September 2023

MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL SITES NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FALL/WINTER 2023
Gateway Science Museum; Chico. Since opening in 2010, this hands-on museum has certainly lived up to its mission of “inspiring the exploration of science and natural history in the Butte County region and beyond.” Open Wed-Sun, the museum makes weekend visits especially tantalizing by offering special hands- on activities included in museum admission. Current Exhibits include "Bombus! The Natural History of Bumble Bees," which brings to life the beauty, ecological importance and joy of these charismatic native bees. Children can get their creativity flowing with Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks. Ongoing exhibits include the museum’s drought-tolerant gardens, the skeletons of ice-age animals and cross-sections of some of Chico’s oldest valley oak trees. For those who can’t get enough of museums, the museum is conveniently located next to the historic Bidwell Mansion. gatewayscience.org. 625 Esplanade. (530) 898-4121.
Gold Nugget Museum; Paradise. The museum is currently under construction, with micro-exhibits available for viewing, Mon-Thu, noon-4pm. Exhibits include the “C-Hook”- the items that were the cause of the catastrophic Camp Fire. Various other artifacts and small exhibits are on display, on rotation. They continue to focus on the building of their 2,000 square foot exhibition space, with an exhibition schedule coming soon. (530)762-2613, gnmuseum.art
Paradise Depot Museum. A venue of the Gold Nugget Museum, this wonderful grassroots museum is located in the Paradise Community Park and features a full-sized restored caboose in addition to its star attraction: a 30-foot working HO gauge model of the Butte County Railroad. Kids can operate the interactive model that represents the 33-mile rail line that ran between Chico and Stirling City. Currently open on the first Saturday of each month from 12pm-4pm, 5570 Black Olive Dr. (530) 413-9129. For questions related to the Depot Museum, please contact the main museum at (530) 762- 2613, or info@gnmuseum.art. Website: gnmuseum.art
Gaumer’s Mineral & Mining Museum; Red Bluff. Set in Gaumer’s jewelry and lapidary shop, this unexpected gem of a museum will delight everyone in your family, from the novice geologists to the fashion divas. The museum displays collections of fossils, rocks and gems from all over the world, and Native American artifacts. Perhaps most fascinating are the fluorescent minerals, which glow under black light. Open during weekdays, this museum also offers schools the chance to schedule tours of the sparkling surprises it holds. gaumers.com. 78 Belle Mill Rd. (530) 527-6166.
Turtle Bay Museum; Redding. With two of its core values listed as “playfulness” and “community,” Turtle Bay Exploration Park clearly understands kids and families. In addition to the museum, the Park includes the Sundial Bridge, a forestry and wildlife center, botanical gardens and an arboretum. Inside the museum, kids can view local fish, peer through a glass floor to see a tree’s complex root structure and explore interactive exhibits. The Water Wonders program invites guests to explore the wonders of our local Sacramento River. Animal Trainers will guide them into the ecosystem of this Riparian habitat through fun interpretive talks with animals who call it their home. Little Explorers (children 5 and under) are invited to discover, investigate and create in a special play-based environment designed to encourage children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. Kids can learn about the natural world around them through experiments, demonstrations and other activities on Science Saturdays, every third Saturday of the month. Their year-round walkthrough aviary, interactive multi- media displays and historical and natural exhibits makes it a great place to take the kids when winter cabin fever strikes. The park is open 9am-4pm, Wed-Fri; 10am-4pm Sat & Sun. turtlebay.org. 844 Sundial Bridge Dr. 530-243-8850.
Siskiyou County Museum; Yreka. This charming museum, built in 1950, continues to carry out its original mission to “collect, preserve, disseminate, and interpret the history of the area for future generations.”Wander through local history in a series of galleries featuring Siskiyou County’s Native Americans, pioneer settlers, Chinese immigrants, gold miners and trappers. Another gallery gives insight into the area’s timber industry, and yet another features historical firearms. At no additional cost, visitors can step into the past by exploring authentic and reconstructed local buildings that compose the 2.5-acre outdoor museum. Open 9am-3pm Tue-Sat (outdoor museum closes 2pm through October, weather permitting). co.siskiyou. ca.us/museum. 910 South Main St. (530) 842-3836.
For a comprehensive list of North State museums, visit the Museums & Historical Sites page in the Family Resources section of North State Parent’s website at www.NorthStateParent.com/Museums. Ó
Brandy and her children on their way to explore science and natural history at the Gateway Science Museum. Photo by Amber Thompson.
Come see our fluorescent rock room!
FREE
Come explore the beauty!
78 Belle Mill Rd⬧Red Bluff, CA⬧527-6166 www.gaumers.com
ADMISSION
Open: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
78 Belle Mill Rd / Red Bluff / 527-6166
gaumers.com
76 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Fall/Winter 2023 • www.northstateparent.com