Before gold was discovered in 1848, John Sutter had initially envisioned an agricultural empire and had amassed 10,000 cows, 5,000 sheep, more than 2,500 horse and mules and produced an amazing 50,000 bushels of wheat harvest.  Then, just when he was ready to reap the rewards of his hard work, the Gold Rush derailed his plans -- his land was overrun by gold seekers, his crops were trampled or neglected and his livestock stolen or chased away.  Sutter’s diligence eventually prevailed and his dreams of an agricultural bounty were realized. 

During the next “Hands on History: The Real Gold in California” event on Saturday, September 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park will participate in corn shucking contests, threshing, winnowing and grinding wheat.  Fort visitors can also watch demonstrations of goat milking, spinning and weaving wool and property branding. 

For more information about this fun and engaging “Hands on History” event, or other events and activities at Sutter’s Fort SHP, call 916-445-4422 or visit www.suttersfort.org