Do Museums
Repositories of Time
What defines a museum? Well, the American Association of Museums’ webpage says it this way: “American museums are infinitely diverse,” and then goes on to note that their common denominator is in making a "unique contribution to the public by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the things of this world." To that we say, “Thank you AMA - a bit obvious but we can call it a starting point.” So how is Nevada County doing in “interpreting the things of the world?” We’re interpreting quite nicely, if we do say so ourselves! Our county offers a collection of eleven museums that are defined by not only what they hold but by what they allow us to do. Each and every one is a storehouse of objects and information that work perfectly for comparison of times past with time present. You could think of them as time-travel mechanisms without the scary part about having your molecular structure altered. We can’t promise the same for your imagination, however.
Views of county history and the ways our predecessors lived are a common thread throughout all of our museums. After all, who doesn’t like to compare life then with life now and imagine what our place would have been had we lived in the past? A lively debate can always be started by claiming to know when the absolute all-time best era to live was. And our museums hold the detailed evidence you’ll need to make your case. Railroading, skiing, mining, jails, firehouses, native culture and emigration - it all speaks to culture, society and ways of living in times gone by. And that knowledge offers a wealth of explanation as to how we came to be where we are today. So bring your imagination and be ready to explore a historically dynamic and vivid stretch of time.
WESTERN NEVADA COUNTY
GRASS VALLEY MUSEUM
Depicts rich history of Gold Rush days with displays of furniture, art, clothing, musical instruments and artifacts from Victorian era. Hall of photographs, restored classroom, Victorian bedroom. Open 12:30 - 3:30 pm, Wednesday - Saturday, (April - December.) 410 S. Church at Chapel Street, Grass Valley.
(530) 273-5509 or (530) 272-4725. www.saintjosephsculturalcenter.org
FIREHOUSE #1 MUSEUM
Firehouse built in 1861 and used until 1938. Named a Haunted House of California. Displays including relics from Donner Party, Chinese temple altars, remodeled Nisenan Indian display, Victorian clothing, toys, tools, doll house. Well known for its Chinese exhibits. Open Noon - 4 pm Tuesday - Saturday, May 1 to October 31. 214 Main St., Nevada City; (530) 265-3937. www.nevadacountyhistory.org
NEVADA COUNTY NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD MUSEUM
Artifacts and exhibits relating to Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad which opened in 1876 to link area with the transcontinental railroad in Colfax. On display are a vintage locomotive, antique railroad cars, county’s first automobile, local transportation history. Also, a small, operating steam locomotive on outdoor track. Visitors can tour active restoration shop. Museum store with railroad themed gifts, books. Open 10 am - 4 pm Friday - Tuesday, from May 1 to October 31. Winter hours, 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday & Sunday. 5 Kidder Court, Nevada City (take Hollow Way adjacent to freeway at Gold Flat Road to Bost Avenue to Kidder Court). (530) 470-0902. www.ncngrrmuseum.org
NORTHSTAR MINING MUSEUM
One of finest collections of hardrock mining equipment and artifacts in United States. Giant Pelton Wheel, only operational Cornish Pump in the world, new displays and outdoor exhibit, picnic area. Open 11 am - 5 pm Tuesday - Saturday, May 1 - October 31. Mill Street & McCourtney Road, Grass Valley. (530) 273-4255. www.nevadacountyhistory.org
SEARLS HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Law office of Niles Searls, Chief Justice of California State Supreme Court; built in 1872. Historic books, manuscripts, research material, and over 9,000 photographs. Open 1 pm - 4 pm Monday - Saturday. Closed holidays. 214 Church St., Nevada City; (530) 265-5910. www.nevadacountyhistory.org
MINER'S FOUNDRY CULTURAL CENTER
Historic foundry building with interpretive displays covering manufacturing of mining machinery including the famous Pelton Wheel. Call to request docent tours. Open 10 am - 4 pm Monday - Thursday; 10 am - 1 pm Friday. 325 Spring St., Nevada City. (530) 265-5040. www.minersfoundry.org
EASTERN NEVADA COUNTY
EMIGRANT TRAIL MUSEUM
Exhibits about the natural history of the Truckee Basin, local Native American life, the overland immigration of the 1840s, Donner tragedy, construction of the transcontinental railroad, lumbering and ice harvesting. Museum store features books on the Donner Party and Emigrant Trail, natural history, and related items.Open 10 am - 5 pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Donner Memorial State Park, off I-80. 12593 Donner Pass Road. (530) 582-7892. www.parks.ca.gov
OLD JAIL MUSEUM
Built in 1875, held some of the old west’s most notorious characters including “Baby Faced” Nelson. See what a jail from the old west was like, also relics from lumbering and ice harvesting, and an exhibit that pays tribute to film industry that thrived in Truckee during the 1920s. Can picnic in small memorial garden behind jail. Open 11 am - 4 pm Memorial Day weekend; 11 am - 4 pm every weekend from Father’s Day - Labor Day. Jibboom and Spring Streets. (530) 582-0893. www.truckeehistory.org
JOSEPH RESEARCH LIBRARY
Open 10 am - 2 pm Thursday, all year. Books, newspaper files, maps, and photographs are available for use within the library for researchers, genealogists, historians, homeowners, and history buffs. 10115 Donner Trail Rd. (530) 582-0893
KIDZONE MUSEUM
11711 Donner Pass Rd., Truckee; (530) 587-5437. Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesday - Sunday 9 am to 1pm. Winter hours, Tuesday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 1 pm. Indoor playground, infant area. Under the Sea exhibits and activities. www.kidzone.org
TRUCKEE RAILROAD MUSEUM
Located in a caboose, brings Truckee railroad history to life. Learn how railroad helped Truckee industry evolve from logging to ice to tourism. Open 10 am - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday and all major holidays. 10075 Donner Pass Rd. Next to historic Train Depot on Commercial Row in Old Town. www.truckeedonnerrailroadsociety.com
WESTERN SKISPORT MUSEUM
Ski history dating from gold mining days, films, evolution of equipment. Open 10 am - 4 pm Friday - Sunday during the ski season. Boreal Ski Resort, I-80 at Donner Summit; Auburn Ski Club. 530) 426-3313 x101. www.auburnskiclub.com
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