In celebration of National Archives Month, archives and special collections libraries throughout the region will showcase their rarely-seen holdings during the 6th annual Sacramento Archives Crawl on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public, the theme for the event this year is “A Thirst for History.” Showcasing historic treasures from 25 Northern California institutions, numerous special artifacts will be on public display for one-day-only at four host locations, including the California State Archives, California State Library, Center for Sacramento History and Sacramento Public Library.
This year’s Archives Crawl includes two free screenings of The Sacramento Picture, a documentary film which showcases historic images of the city between 1910-1974. Filmmaker Matías Bombal will introduce his featured work at the California State Archives with show times at 10:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
The Archives Crawl will again also feature a “History Scavenger Hunt,” where K-12 students answer questions about the documents and artifacts on display at the four crawl locations. Those correctly answering ten of the clues are then eligible to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of two Chromebooks.
Free Archives Crawl passports will be given to guests as they visit the first host institution of their choice. The passport provides a map of the event and information about the participating institutions. Event attendees who get their passport stamped at three of the four host sites will be given a set of limited-edition commemorative coasters. The coasters celebrate A Thirst for History theme with photographs of Sacramentans enjoying their favorite drinks. Free transportation between host locations will be provided via transit buses; free parking is available only at the Center for Sacramento History.
A sampling of the items on special display for the event this year include an assortment of historic trademarks and artifacts relating to beverages (California State Archives); vintage wine labels and California cookbooks (California State Library); a photographic exhibit on watercraft of the Sacramento River and a selfie station set in a riverboat pilot house (Center for Sacramento History); and vintage drink menus from local restaurants, cocktail lounges and fountains (Sacramento Public Library).
In addition, representatives from other archives and special collections libraries will be at the host locations to discuss their archival collections – historic photographs, rare books, historic artifacts – and answer questions about how to connect with local history resources and care for historical records and artifacts.
The following is a list of the host locations and the repositories that will be tabling at each. Participants may start at any of the four locations:
California State Archives (1020 O Street)
El Dorado County Historical Museum
Folsom Historical Society
Lavender Library, Archive, and Cultural Exchange
Old City Cemetery Committee
Root Cellar – Sacramento Genealogical Society Library
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
Sacramento City College Special Collections
California State Library (900 N Street)
California State Parks Archives
California State Parks, Photographic Archives
California State University, Chico
University of California, Davis
Center for Sacramento History (551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd)
Congregation B’nai Israel Archives
Placer County Archives & Research Center
Sacramento River Delta Historical Society
Yolo County Archives
Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Room (828 I Street)
California Digital Library
California State Railroad Museum Library
California State University, Sacramento
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Gold Rush Research Library
Rocklin Historical Society
San Joaquin Historical Society & Museum
For more information about the 6th annual Sacramento Archives Crawl, please visit sacarchivescrawl.com. The event is part of Archives Month, a nationwide celebration held each October to raise awareness of the value of archives and to recognize the archivists who bring the past to the present. For information about other events in California, visit calarchivesmonth.org.
Photo: The Tower Bridge circa 1936; Courtesy of the Center for Sacramento History
