What does a purse say about the woman? The California Museum exhibit “The Purse and the Person: A Century of Women's Purses” gives this fashion accessory a deeper meaning. Purses are shown through the decades, representing the women who used them in those time periods. Purse collector, Anita Davis was the inspiration behind this exhibit. Her collection illustrates her interest in the sociology of handbags and the women who carry them. Close to 100 purses are on display, with half devoted to the decades from 1910 through 2000. There are examples of bags carried by flappers, homemakers, fashionista and women inspired by the counterculture. The remainder of the exhibit is arranged in themes

Around 80 women shuffled into the California Museum Thursday night with overflowing bags in tow. The baggage wasn't credited to a long day of shopping, but rather the beginning of a long night of swapping. The Diva Eve Clothing Swap was a eco-friendly evening of fashion, beauty and philanthropy, benefiting St. John's Shelter for Women and Children. Seventeen years ago, Clothing Swap founder Suzanne Agasi invited three close friends over for a wardrobe exchange experiment. Guests cleaned out their closets and poured their belongings into Agasi's Walnut Creek studio apartment. The evening was informal and intimate as the women picked through each other's clothing and donated the leftovers

California's First Lady, Maria Shriver and The Women’s Conference partnered with The California Museum to celebrate National Women’s History Month with an extraordinary all-day free event – Day at The Museum yesterday in Sacramento. Over 10,000 people came through the doors after it kicked off with A Breakfast Meet-and- Greet with Women Elected Officials, the day was packed with information and activity; A tour of the State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Minerva Award Exhibit and Minerva Quilt Project Recognition, “If I Can Do It, So Can You,” panel on the rewards of being a compassionate citizen hero,  Chef demonstrations and book signings, “Only in California: A Celebrati

It wasn't your average Monday night in Sacramento. Despite temperatures being in the 30s and 40s, a swarm of people huddled around the red carpet anticipating the big stars to come. The California Museum inducted 12 honorary members on Monday night, welcoming them to the infamous California Hall of Fame. Among the inductees were Jack Nicholson, Jane Fonda, Jack LaLanne, Alice Waters, Quincy Jones, David Brubeck, Leland Stanford and others. One of the first celebrities to arrive was Clint Eastwood. Both he and Nicholson were hailed by the crowd for autographs. Many brought photos and posters in frames to be signed, some were lucky, others were left to pack up their unsigned photos in card