California History Museums

[Goldrush!]   [Natives & Immigrants]

Focusing on the history of California from prehistory to present time, the museum offers an array of exhibits, tours, performances and other materials related to the history of the great state of California.  Located at 1000 Oak Street in Oakland, CA.

This history museum actually comprises numerous buildings in the historic complex.  The buildings include the 1892 Webster Schoolhouse, Markleeville Log Jail, and a restored silver ore stamp mill.  Exhibits follow the history of the Alpine County area from the Washoe Native Americans through the early pioneers.  Located on School Street in Markleeville, CA.

Focused on the history of the Ridge, the museum offers school children a chance to see what living in the 1850s was like through living history exhibits. The museum boasts a large collection of Maidu Indian artifacts.  The museum also operates the Paradise Depot Museum, focusing on area railroad and logging history, 5570 Black Olive Drive, Paradise.  The Gold Nugget Museum is located at 502 Pearson Road in Paradise CA.

California Foundry History Institute  [Movie]

Devoted to the history of foundries in California, the museum features a large collection of artifacts, photographs, documents and other items related to the history of the Gold Rush which was the beginnings of the foundry history and it's casting uses in transportation, defense, water control and recycling.  Located at 2971 Warren Lane in El Dorado Hills, CA.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

[Photos]

Pan for gold in the exact same spot where it was first discovered in California.  Known today as Coloma, the site is responsible for the historical Gold Rush which began in 1848.  The site has over 20 historic buildings including a sawmill, school, store, houses and mining buildings.  Located at 310 Back Street in Coloma, CA.

Kearney Mansion Museum

Once the home to M. Theo Kearney who made his fortune in raisins, the mansion can be seen through guided tours on weekends.  Located at 7160 W. Kearney Blvd. inside Kearney Park in Fresno, CA.

Shoshone Museum

The museum is dedicated to the history of the town of Shoshone and the early pioneers of Death Valley and the surrounding desert.  Located on California State Hwy 127 in Shoshone, CA.

Kern Valley Historical Society and Museum

The museum is focused on the early history of the area and includes artifacts from the Tubatulabal Tribe, Native Americans of this region.  Other exhibits are related to the early pioneers, gold miners and lumberjacks who settled the Kern Valley.  Located at 49 Big Blue Road in Kernville, CA.

Maturango Museum   [Petroglyph Tours]

The museum is devoted to the history and geology of the Northern Mojave Desert.  Located at 100 E. Las Flores Avenue in Ridgecrest, CA.

Tehachapi Heritage League and Museum

Dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and history of Tehachapi, CA, the museum is housed in the old Kern County Library building located at 310 S. Green Street in Tehachapi, CA.

Autry National Center

Previously known as the Museum of Western Heritage, the museum was founded by Gene and Jackie Autry and Monte and Joanne Hale.  The museum is focused on the heritage of the American West and how it influenced the world.   Located inside Griffith Park in Los Angeles, CA.

Hollywood Heritage Museum

Hollywood History Museum

Housed inside the historic Max Factor building, the museum is devoted to the past history and magic of the motion picture industry.  There are over 5000 exhibits created for movie fans on four floors.  Location is 1660 N. Highland Avenue in Hollywood, CA.

J. Paul Getty Museum

Los Angeles Police Musuem

Operated by the Los Angeles Police Historical Society, the museum is devoted to the preservation of the history of the LAPD and features exhibits of memorabilia, patches, uniforms, historical documents and photos related to that history.  The society also provides research of past officers and policemen.  The museum holds an extensive collection of historical photographs.  Located at 6045 York Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA.

Mount Lowe   [History]

Page Museum / La Brea Tar Pits

Pasadena Museum of History   [Research]

Focused primarily on the early Pasadena business history with exhibits of photos and artifacts from Pasadena businesses, the museum also operates docent guided tours to the Fenyes Mansion and the Finnish Folk Art Museum.  Begin your visit at 470 West Walnut Street in Pasadena, CA.

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Museum

An extremely unusual museum featuring exhibits, documentaries and statements from health professionals about the victims of psychiatric brutality.  Free to the public, the museum is located at 6616 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA.

Southwest Museum of The American Indian

The museum galleries are currently closed due to renovations.  The museum will reopen in 2009 and houses one of the largest American Indian collections in the United States. See the plan for the future of the Southwest Museum.  Location is 234 Museum Drive in Los Angeles, CA.

UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History

Warner Brothers Studio

Wells Fargo History Museum at Los Angeles

Featuring exhibits from the past of the famed Well Fargo, the museum is located at 333 South Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, CA.

Novato History Museum

Housed inside the oldest dwelling in Novato, it was erected ca 1850 by Ramon Pacheco.  The museum is operated by the Novato Historical Guild and docent-guided tours are offered.  Located at 815 DeLong Avenue in Novato, CA.

[Mariposa Town History]

The museum, celebrating it's fiftieth year, is an excellent history museum.  Dedicated to the history and life style of early peoples of Mariposa County, you will find an array of authentic artifacts and documents to explore.  Exhibits of early mining equipment and real gold panning lessons will bring history to life for visitors.  For history / genealogy buffs, there is a research library available by appointment.  Located at 519 Jessie Street in Mariposa, CA.

The Bradford House

A historic home built in Placentia ca 1902 by Albert Sumner Bradfor.  The home is furnished in period style and is open for tours and special events.

136 Palm Circle, Placentia, CA.

Heritage Hill Historical Park

This lovely 4 acre park features 4 historical buildings.  Historical structures include the 1908 Harvey Bennett Ranch House, 1890 St. George's Episcopal Mission, 1890 El Toro Grammar School and the 1863 Serrano Adobe.  Guided tours are offered and the grounds are available for rental.  Located at 25151 Serrano Road in Lake Forest, CA.

[Photo Gallery]  [Early Gold Camps]

California State Indian Museum

Focused on the history and culture of the Native Americans who inhabited California for centuries before pioneer settlement, the museum features exhibits and artifacts  which include basketry, beadwork, clothing and the many traditions of the diverse Indian Tribes of California.  Located at 2618 K Street in Sacramento, CA.

California State Railroad Museum

Focused on the "Iron Horse" which connected California to the rest of the United States, the museum features 21 beautifully restored locomotives and train cars dating back as far as 1862.  Seasonal steam train rides on the Southern Railroad are offered from the Public Market in Old Sacramento at Front & K Streets.  Located at 125 I Street in Old Sacramento, CA.

California State History Museum and State Archives

California State Library

California State Military Museum

State Capitol Museum   [Architecture & History]

Sutters Fort State Historical Park

Wells Fargo History Museum at Old Town Sacramento

Featuring the history of the Pony Express and stagecoach history in Sacramento, CA.  Located at 1000 Second Street in Sacramento, CA.

Barstow Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum

Calico Museum and Ghost Town

Visit a true ghost town.  The mining town of Calico was founded in 1881 and once bustled with 22 saloons and 500 silver & gold mines.  Known as one of the richest mining towns in California, it became a ghost town after 1907.  It has been preserved and today living history re-enactments are featured in the 480 acre park.  Located just northeast of Barstow, CA off of Interstate 15.  For more information call 1-800-TO CALICO.

Mojave River Valley Museum

Redlands Glass Museum

The Historical Glass Museum displays 6,000 examples of American glass from the 18th through 21st centuries.  A non-profit foundation, open to the public by donation since 1985. Open Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.  Located at 1157 N. Orange St., 4 blocks north of the I-10 in Redlands, CA

San Bernardino County Museum

Victor Valley Museum

Western America Railroad Museum   [Virtual Exhibit]

Balboa Park - America's Largest Urban Cultural Park

[Museums]

Cabrillo National Monument

Marston House

Museum of San Diego History   [Photo Gallery]

Located in Balboa Park, you will find exhibits depicting the early history of the San Diego region.

Old Town State Historic Park   [Photo Gallery]

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

San Diego Sheriff's Office Museum

Located in the Old Town State Historic Park. 2384 San Diego Avenue. Free admission.

Serra Museum   [History]

A 1929 Mission style building located in Presidio Park.

Villa Montezuma   [Historical Photo]

Wells Fargo History Museum at San Diego

Featuring historical items from the past of Wells Fargo as it operated in San Diego, the museum is located at 2733 San Diego Avenue in San Diego, CA.

Prison Cell in Alcatraz

Click for larger image

Alcatraz Island   [Tours and Slide Shows]

Featuring a tour of Alcatraz Prison, this is likely one of the most visited places in the United States.  Experience life behind bars where some of the most hardened criminals in America's past spent time.  Al Capone and the famed Birdman of Alcatraz are just a couple of them.  Prior to the use of Alcatraz for the prison, the island was used by the U. S. Army as a fort.  A visit here is a must for anyone taking a trip to San Francisco.  Alcatraz Island is steeped in history.  Tours leave several times daily from Pier 33 on The Embarcadero and the park service recommends advance purchase of tickets.

California Historical Society Museum

Golden Gate Railroad Museum

The Museum of the City of San Francisco

[1906 earthquake]

Seymour Pioneer Museum

Wells Fargo History Museum at San Francisco

The museum is located at the site where the company opened for business in 1852, the museum features exhibits of stagecoaches, gold dust and gold ore, and artifacts related to the history of Wells Fargo & Company in California history.  Located at 420 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, CA.

Located at 11793 N. Micke Grove Road in Micke Grove Regional Park between the cities of Stockton and Lodi, the museum offers multiple historic buildings including the Julia Weber House, Captain Weber Home, an 1856 one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, harness shop and other historical buildings with exhibits representing the history and development of San Joaquin County.

Sanchez Adobe Museum

San Mateo County History Museum

This museum includes Sanchez Adobe and Woodside Store in it's exhibits.  The museum archives contains a 1400 volume collection of books and over 30,000 photographs, newspaper clippings, and documents in print and on microfilm.

3396 Sagunto Street
Post Office Box 181
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
805-688-7889
 

Moffet Field Historical Museum

Portuguese Historical Museum   [History]

This replica of a 1915 imperio built in San Jose, the museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Portuguese immigrants.

San Jose Historic Park   [Photos]   [Virtual Tour]

Wings of History Museum

Previously the capitol of California 1853-1854, this original building has been restored and furnished with period furnishings.  Located near Vallejo at 115 West G Street in Benicia, CA.

Three Rivers Historical Society Museum

The Historical Society explores and preserves the history of the Three Rivers area on the Kaweah River which was at one time inhabited by the Yokut Indian Tribe.  Located at 42268 Sierra Drive in Three Rivers, CA.

Hattie Weber Museum

Heidrick AG History Center

Woodland Stroll Through History   Open Historic Homes

Yolo County Historical Museum

Operated by the Yolo County Historical Society, the museum is housed inside the 1850s Classical Revival style Gibson House.  The museum features period furnished rooms along with historical artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Yolo County.  Open to the public on a regular basis, it is located at 512 Gibson Road in Woodland, CA.

Learn about the history of Eastern Butte and northern Yuba Counties.  Walk through Gold Trader Flat, a replica of an 1870s gold mining town.  During special times of the year the Yuba Feather Museum features living history days.  Located at 19096 New York Flat Road in Forbestown, CA.

Museum Index for Other States

California Census Records

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