Today, the Sacramento History Museum announced its participation in Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families,  the Department of Defense and more than 1,500 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012.  “We are proud to participate in the third annual Blue Star Museums program again this year,” said Historic Old Sacramento Foundation Deputy Director Kristina Swanson. “We are happy provide an opportunity for our nation’s service members and their families to connect with our national treasures.  It is our way of giving back to military fa

Coinciding with the 39th Annual Sacramento Music Festival happening over Memorial Day weekend in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum will offer jazz musicians performing inside the Museum, aboard popular weekend excursion train rides and even complimentary admission to event badge holders. With several music venues located in close proximity to the Railroad Museum and a special free Children’s Stage and activity area just outside the Museum in the “1849 Scene,” a visit to the Railroad Museum extends the weekend enjoyment for all ages. Inside the Museum, visitors will be treated to live entertainment in the Roundhouse performed by various banjo musicians all four days as f

Just in time for summer!  In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.   And while all the 29 participating local museums offer a wealth of experiences just waiting to be explored, a few museums offer specially-designed activities and programs perfect for inspiring and engaging children during the more leisurely summer months.  Outlined below is a sampling of available summer programs and activities coordinated by local museums: Four-Day Aerospace Summer Camp at the Aero

It’s time to celebrate Sacramento-style when the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation presents “Rollin’ on the River” on Thursday evening, June 14, 2012.  Honoring Sacramento restauranteur Lina Fat and saluting the 100th birthday of the iconic I Street bridge, the festive event begins with a VIP Reception at the Sacramento History Museum followed by a memorable and spirited river cruise aboard the Empress Hornblower. As the Empress Hornblower cruises down the Sacramento River, adult-only guests will enjoy scrumptious food, 1850s-style gambling, and a champagne toast saluting the I Street bridge when cruising underneath the local icon.  This festive fundraising event will also include a sil

Continuing a popular series of interactive and fun “Hands on History” activities, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park will present a special “Hands on History: How Did John Sutter Expect to Make Money?” event on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fort visitors will learn how John Sutter engaged in a number of business ventures in an effort to achieve financial success.  In fact, Sutter even gave away land and a start in the ranching business to any family that could make it to California!  On this special day, Fort guests will receive replica pages of original Fort ledgers -- including the famous John Bidwell ledger -- that show what items were for sale and at what price in the early d

The California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento State Historic Park (SHP) are now recruiting adults (18 or older) who are interested in volunteering this summer to help communicate the West’s fascinating heritage of railroading and the California Gold Rush. The volunteer orientation will begin on Saturday, June 23, but interested volunteers must apply and be interviewed in advance. Volunteer applications are being accepted now through Monday, June 4, and involved community members are encouraged to get involved in this worthwhile program.    Anyone who has ever visited the California State Railroad Museum and Old Sacramento SHP has undoubtedly crossed paths with a docent. Dressed

The City of Sacramento has returned a completely restored Fred Mayes Jewelers street clock to its home at 10th and J streets. A short event to showcasing the final assembly of the last remaining pieces was held Wednesday, May 2, at 11:30 a.m. The $24,000 project was made possible through historic grants, downtown redevelopment tax increment funds and federal Community Development Block Grant funds available through the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. No City general funds were spent on the project. Other donors paying for the electronic clock movement include the Mayes family, the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, former City Councilmember Ray Tretheway, the

Calling all local artists...as part of an ongoing “Arts in the Parks” effort, Northern California artists -- of all ages and skill levels -- are invited to participate in a special “open air” painting event on the grounds of Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.  The State Indian Museum and California State Parks present a special “Plein Air Day” on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 10 a.m.  Free to participate and to watch the mesmerizing artistry-in-action, the day is designed as an opportunity for the community to embrace nature, support the arts and appreciate the beauty of the historic, park-like setting.   Interested artists are encouraged to register early and the first 25 artists to regi

Known as North America’s most popular train museum, the California State Railroad Museum is gearing up for a weekend of -- separate but festive -- celebratory activities on May 11, 12 & 13, don’t miss the rail-related fun! Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet -- Friday Evening, May 11 Closed to the public but deserving of the community’s widespread recognition, approximately 600 volunteers will be honored at an Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet for collectively dedicating nearly 130,000 hours of service to the California State Railroad Museum in 2011.  In fact, since the Museum’s 1976 inception, volunteers have contributed more than two million hours of service. National Train Day --

In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.  In May, many of the 28 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are proud to showcase a variety of upcoming artistic exhibits, events and activities, including: Sacramento’s I Street Bridge Photo Display at the Sacramento History Museum -- Continues Through December In honor of the 100th anniversary of the completion of Sacramento’s I Street bridge, the Sacramento History Museum is showcasing a special exhibit of phot

Beginning on Saturday, May 12, and continuing on the second Saturday each month, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) with support from Friends of Sutter’s Fort (FOSF) is proud to present a fun and interactive new program titled “Scouts at the Fort.”   Designed to help Girl Scouts earn their “Playing the Past” skill building badges, docents and staff at Sutter’s Fort will help students re-create and experience daily life in the mid-1800s.   Initially developed by a dedicated 10-year old docent at Sutter’s Fort SHP who is also an active Girl Scout, the specially designed program lasts from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and includes hands-on crafts and activities such as toy making, daily chores

Lights, Camera, Action! The California State Railroad Museum is proud to host the first  “Trains & Tripods Photo Workshop & Lighting Seminar” for 2012.  “Trains & Tripods” is a popular two-part program that includes an optional seminar on existing light photography and a unique photographers-only photo shooting session inside the visually-enticing museum before it opens to the public for the day. Amateur photographers of all skill levels can choose to attend one or both of the activities. Conducted by former Sacramento Bee photographer and Canon USA consultant Dave Henry, the fast-paced and information-packed lighting seminar is scheduled for Friday evening with the “bring your own tripo

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the completion of Sacramento’s I Street bridge, the Sacramento History Museum in Old Sacramento will unveil a special exhibit showcasing photographs of the beloved bridge on Saturday, April 28, 2012.   This Sacramento landmark was built by the Southern Pacific in 1912 with contributions by Sacramento and Yolo counties.  A true engineering accomplishment in its day, this bridge was built to last.  In fact, the first train to cross the bridge did so on April 29, 1912, and train travel on the bridge continues to this day.  The Sacramento History Museum invites the community to visit the photo display and learn more about the history of this enduring land

Celebrate Earth Day 2012 by visiting and/or supporting a California State Park on Sunday, April 22!  Operated by California State Parks, the (always free) California State Capitol Museum invites visitors to the State Capitol to step back in time to 1899-1917 to experience “Living History” in action and learn about California’s pressing issues during the turn of the 20th century.  From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and with the help of dedicated volunteers, staff and docents in period attire portraying Governors Henry Gage, George Pardee, James Gillett and Hiram Johnson and their wives, State Capitol visitors will see re-enactments of important events from past governors and their respective admini

On Saturday, April 14, beginning at 1 p.m., the Sacramento History Museum is proud to present a special guest lecture by April Farnham -- former collections manager and historian at the Maidu Indian Museum and current Sacramento History Museum docent -- who will discuss her research and findings about California indigenous peoples in Sacramento's early history.  The Sacramento region includes the ancestral homelands of the Nisenan Maidu as well as Miwok, and Southern Wintun (or Patwin) tribal groups.  Individuals from these groups played a significant role in Sacramento's history from the early 1800s well into the turn of the century; however, their names have been largely forgotten or ne

In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.  In April, many of the 28 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are proud to showcase a variety of upcoming earth-friendly events and activities, including: “Earth Fest” & “Recycle Rummage Sale” at The Sacramento Zoo - April 7 It’s a party for the planet at the Sacramento Zoo during “Earth Fest”! Zoo visitors will learn how to protect and preserve the earth with environmental, wildlife and conservation organization

The Historic Old Sacramento Foundation invites one and all to dress up in your favorite  Easter finery -- or other historic apparel -- to celebrate in high style during the 17th Annual “Living History” Easter Bonnet Promenade on Saturday, April 7, beginning at 11 a.m.  Year after year, visitors of all ages come from near and far to take a leisurely one-hour stroll through the historic boardwalks and cobblestone streets of Old Sacramento.  Women tend to get all dolled up in fanciful dresses, lovely parasols or colorful hats while attire for the gentlemen might include top hats, frock coats, vests, and trousers with a walking stick and watch fob (pocket watch) to complete the distinguished l

Due to popular demand, the California State Railroad Museum will debut phase two of a visually-powerful exhibit titled "Pick Me! Fruit Crate Art & the California Dream" on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.  A whole new crop of more than 100 fruit crate art labels from the 1880s through the early 1950s will be on display as part of the second phase of this vibrant exhibit located inside the Museum's restored 1924 Fruit Growers Express Refrigerator Car and along a re-created loading dock/icing station. Chosen from the Museum's collection, and on loan from the California State Library and private lenders, the evocative art portrays vibrant hues and whimsical motifs that romanticized life in the Golde

Life and death, side by side in an endless cycle. This juxtaposition was evident at Sunday’s tour of the Historic City Cemetery where native plants live and thrive amid decaying tombstones of the long dead. In the first “Blooms among the Tombs” walk, landscape architect and gardener Cassandra Nguyen Musto led visitors through the California Native Plant Society demonstration garden. Her talk highlighted the society’s restoration work bringing native plants and beauty to graveyard plots. Not only was it a story of bringing new plant life to the cemetery, but it was also the story of the birth-death-rebirth cycle of the cemetery itself. The original city cemetery was located at Alhambra B

In the coming weeks, the City of Sacramento will be applying for a federal grant of discretionary funds called the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER IV.) This grant is being applied for with hopes of using the money for rehabilitation and improvements of facilities of the Sacramento Valley Station building. Although constructed in 1926 with expansive light filled spaces and fine architectural details, decades of neglect are evident. Most of the building’s systems have outlived their useful life, and only 20,000 square feet is currently in use. Proposed upgrades, such as adding heating and air conditioning, elevators, stairs and restrooms will increase usable i