Page 77 - North State Parent September 2023

MUSEUMS & HISTORICAL SITES
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 available 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; 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 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 Decem- ber 17, and then we will follow Water’s Ex- treme Journey in Spring 2023. csuchico.edu/ gateway. 625 Esplanade. (530)898-4121. Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. The museum currently features rotating mini-exhibits in the lobby while they work towards opening their exhibition hall. Admission is free, though donations are graciously accepted. The Depot Museum
is currently closed for repairs, but you can walk the grounds. Please call for updated information. 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 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 Anthropolo- gy; Chico. New exhibitions annually, both in person & virtual. Offers family programs and school tours. Call for more informa- tion. Free. csuchico.edu/anthmuseum. In the Meriam Library on the Chico State Uni- versity campus, room 180. (530)898-5397.
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
Pumpkin Patch
& Autumfest October 7th-29th, 10-4pm Admission $5 per adult $3 for children 12 & under.
Glenwood Farm House Tours Call to reserve school field trips and tours.
AN INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL AND NATURAL HISTORY CENTER
We are dedicated to enhancing people’s understanding and appreciation of our community’s rich agricultural heritage. The Museum is home to the 1877 Glenwood Farmhouse, Visitor Center, and Gift Shop, as well as multiple barns, a priceless collection of artifacts, and is located on a beautiful 28 acres between Chico and Durham.
• Looking for rewarding volunteer work? Call us! •
Restoration, woodworking, machinery repairs, grounds maintenance, Educational Program Assistants Docents & greeters help with public tours are just some of the positions available.
10381 Midway, between Chico & Durham • 342-4359 • PatrickRanchMuseum.org
PleasesayyousawitinNorthStateParentmagazine.Thishelpsusgrow!
www.northstateparent.com • NorthStateParentFamilyResourceGuideFall/Winter2023 77
Tues-Fri 9am-1pm Sept 12-Oct 13 @Chico State
VALENE L.
SMITH
MUSEUM
OF ANTHROPOLOGY