November 2010

Because all of the furnishings and collections are original and authentic, without exception, the museum offers a remarkable look at the life of the Pardee family within these walls from 1869 to 1981. Visitors can see almost the entire house during a guided tour, as well as visit the historic, all-redwood carriage house. The carriage house is a remarkable survivor in downtown Oakland once threatened with demolition to make way for an on-ramp to Interstate 980, but still intact with horse stalls, tack room, bins, and a rickety stairway to the hayloft area.

The house was built in 1868-69 by Enoch Pardee, a Gold Rush immigrant to California from the Midwest, who became an eye doctor in San Francisco after mining gold. He also pursued a vigorous public career in the East Bay during the 1870s and 1880s, including terms as mayor of Oakland, state assemblyman, and state senator.

In addition to the railroad, this Sierra foothills county boasted such turn-of-the 20th century transportation as an electric streetcar line, a steam powered automobile, and the first commercial airport in the United States. Visitors are offered a docent-led historical tour of the museum, railyard, and restoration shop. Exhibited in the main gallery is Engine 5, an 1875 Baldwin that began service hauling lumber, then passengers and freight for the NCNGRR, and finally as a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood. The railyard houses a collection of wooden rail cars, some restored, others awaiting their turn in the restoration shop.

Interior displays include working models of sawmills and logging camps, historic logging photos, dioramas illustrating the evolution of logging from the 1850s to the present day, and a large collection of logging tools such as handsaws, drag saws and chainsaws, peeves and canthooks, broadaxes and felling axes. Also, a full-size scene of a 1930s-era logging camp family cabin, and touch-screen displays of logging sights and sounds are highlights of the museum.

The seven acres surrounding the building site are for recreational as well as educational use. An amphitheater, built with the support of the Arnold Rotary Club, is located among the trees. Picnic tables and barbecue pits have been installed along the lakefront. Interpretive trails guide visitors to impressive historic artifacts: a Willamette steam donkey that first operated in Tuolumne County, a “two-man” sawmill, a 1920 Shay logging locomotive (under restoration), several enormous logging arches, three Caterpillar tractors from the 1930 to 1960’s era, a drying-yard lumber carrier, an historic Adams horse-drawn grader used for road clearing in the woods, and many others. (from website)

With exhibits like a model railroad depicting the town of Dunsmuir in it's heyday as a bustling railroad town, an old fashioned dining room, artifacts from Mount Shasta's history. A collection of women's wear from the early 20th century through the 1920's, the museum provides a comprehensive portrait of the area's history.

Because of the important role of the military in Monterey between 1902 and today, the majority of the museum is dedicated to the development of the Presidio as a training base.

Authentic items and replicas recreate the room where the delegates met, debated, and approved a remarkable document. Colton Hall is a landmark in the City of Monterey, once the capital of Alta California.

The Old Monterey Jail located adjacent to Colton Hall was constructed in 1854 and served as the City Jail until 1956. The jail was an impenetrable fortress for its inmates; no one ever escaped from the thick granite walls during its history.

The museum is located in the county's three-story courthouse built in 1875, one of the oldest historical buildings in California. The museum features a turn of the century classroom and a blacksmith shop.

This historic home, built in 1861, offers exhibits on the cultural heritage of the Mendocino Coast.

Visitors learn about Mendocino's logging and shipping industries and the unique Victorian architecture for which the town is recognized as a National Historic Preservation District. The museum maintains an extensive collection of historic photographs, local genealogical data, publications and research materials. The setting is enhanced by a pond and gardens.

The Museum contains displays of an old country store, a blacksmith shop, Washoe Indian basketry, watch maker's desk, doctor's black bag with tools, supplies and medicines, mining exhibit, pioneer family exhibit, toys and dolls, clothing, photographs, paintings, and relics from prehistoric sites.

Features of the complex include the historic and newly restored silver ore stamp mill, Old Webster School - a one-room school, which was built in 1882, abandoned as a school in 1929, and restored during the 1960's, and the Old Log Jail - a unique structure made of hewn logs of various dimensions, containing two hand-riveted iron cells. The cells were originally located at Silver Mountain City and were moved to Markleeville in 1875.

The Museum features ofther mining equipment and historical buildings have been brought to the site to enhance the visitors' understanding of Mariposa's history. Indoors, guests will find original documents, artifacts and artwork fom the Native American and Spanish periods to the California Gold rush to the early 20th century. The museum also features an extensive Miwok Indian display, a one room miner's cabin, an authentic Mother Lode saloon, a one room school, and furniture belonging to the famous explorer of the west, John C. Fremont.