El Dorado County Historical Museum

At the El Dorado County Historical Museum, visitors can take an informative tour, wander among the historical artifacts, or research a family ancestor.

Examine the artifacts and photographs from the past. Exhibits begin with a collection of baskets and tools made by skilled artists of the Maidu, Miwok and Washoe Native American people who lived in the region before and after the Gold Rush. Gold was officially discovered in Coloma by James Marshall on January 24, 1848 while constructing a sawmill for John Sutter. Thousands of people traveled to the gold fields in El Dorado County and the neighboring counties to the north and south. The museum exhibits continue the story of El Dorado County after the gold rush was over. Old trails became busy thoroughfares. Farm wagons, carriages, a surrey and even a fully restored Concord Stage Coach illustrate the best means of transportation before automobiles were popular. Artifacts from the past such as a sheepherder’s covered wagon, a parlor from a fine home, and a General Store from around 1900 are also on display.

Featured Articles

How the Cherry Blossoms Came to Washington

by Edwin S. Grosvenor

Rarely has the full story been told about how a famed botanist, a pioneering female journalist, and First Lady Helen Taft battled reluctant bureaucrats to bring Japanese cherry trees to Washington.

Reconsidering Jimmy Carter

by Kai Bird

Often thought to have been a weak president, Carter was strong-willed in doing what he thought was right, regardless of expediency or the political fallout.

Bank Failures: As American as Apple Pie

by John Steele Gordon

Why have thousands of U.S. banks failed over the years? The answers are in our history and politics.

“With Malice Toward None”

by Jon Meacham

In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln embodied leading in a time of polarization, political disagreement, and differing understandings of reality.

The Indian World of George Washington

by Colin G. Calloway

Native American peoples and the lands they possessed loomed large for Washington, from his first trips westward as a surveyor to his years as President.

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El Dorado County Historical Museum

We hope you enjoy our work.

Featured Articles

Location

Hours

Contact

38.725219, -120.835285

El Dorado County Historical Museum

Featured Sites

We hope you enjoy our work.

Featured Articles

Location

Hours

Contact

38.725219, -120.835285