A record 30 Sacramento area museums will offer free or half-priced admission all day on Saturday, February 2, 2013, during the 15th Annual Sacramento Museum Day. Twenty-eight of the 30 museums will offer free admission whereas two destinations located in residential areas – the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town – will offer half-priced admission to offset parking control and security costs. Sacramento Museum Day event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.). Sacramento Museum Day, a popular Sacramento cultural tradition, is designed to encourage all members of the community to experience the Capital City’s incredible wealth of art, history, science and wildli

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 January, many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are kicking off the year with “hands on” or “how-to” events and activities, a sampling of which follows: Pop-Up Science Month at the Sacramento Children’s Museum - January 1-31 Join the Sacramento Children’s Museum all month for science experiments and activities! Pop-Up Science month is filled with wonderful opportunities for children to witness scie

As part of a special exhibition debuting on Saturday, December 8, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to showcase award-winning photographs from the prestigious Center for Railroad Photography & Art’s 2012 Creative Photography Awards Program.     With an impressive number of entries submitted by photographers from all over the world, the theme of the 2012 competition was “Railroading, Inspired by Steinheimer” in honor of the legendary photographer Richard Steinheimer.  Before he passed away in 2011, Steinheimer left a lasting legacy in railroad photography with a focus on both creative and documentary styles. The Grand Prize in the Center’s 2012 Creative Photography Awards Progr

Visitors to the California State Capitol Museum are in for a visual treat when an impressive new exhibit titled “California Treasures: Artwork of the Great Depression” debuts on Monday, October 15, 2012.  The new exhibit will showcase some of the magnificent artwork that was commissioned by the California State Parks System and created under State and Federal Government work relief programs dating from 1934 to 1942.  As background on the history of the art collection, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) created jobs for millions of people by organizing work for the public benefit in an effort to provide unemployment relief and stimulate the economy during the Great Depression.  The ar

Following the opening of the fanciful new “Whittle Stop: A Cast of Caricatures on a Wild West Train” exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum, a special, one-day-only caricature carvers demonstration will take place this Saturday, September 22, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Lobby Gallery.  Museum guests will have the unique opportunity to watch skilled crafters demonstrate their expertise and talk about their specialized craft where they meticulously begin transforming a block of wood into a comical creation, delighting Museum visitors along the way!  The fun and fanciful new exhibit is an intricately detailed set of wooden sculptures forming an 1880s era steam train from engine to caboo

Timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Union Pacific Railroad this year, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to debut a new exhibit titled “Building America: Abraham Lincoln, California and the Union Pacific Railroad” on Saturday, September 29, 2012.  Located in the Roundhouse Gallery on the Museum’s second floor, the retrospective exhibit will include photos, maps, artifacts and memorabilia covering 150 years of railroad history.  The powerful new exhibit will begin with the early history of President Abraham Lincoln and his steadfast support of the railroad, culminating with the signing of the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862.  The exhibit will highlight the construct

Union Pacific Railroad will continue its year-long 150th anniversary celebration with a huge, two-day signature event in Old Sacramento September 29-30 that will include free excursion train rides and free entrance into both the California State Railroad Museum and Sacramento History Museum. The community celebration will commemorate 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln created the original Union Pacific by signing the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862. In partnership with California State Parks, the Union Pacific - Building America for 150 Years! celebration will be the most elaborate event staged in the Western United States as part of Union Pacific's sesquicentennial year to be h

The California State Railroad Museum will debut the second set of 26 fascinating, documentary-style sketches beginning on Friday, August 3, as part of the continuing “Wedlock’s Gift: California Railroad Depot Images in Ink” exhibit first displayed in September 2011. Commercial artist Walter J. Wedlock gifted the complete set of 52 drawings and one watercolor to the California State Railroad Museum in 1985 after seeing the collection together for the first time during a special exhibit.  The second phase of “Wedlock’s Gift: California Depot Images in Ink” exhibit will remain on display until March 4, 2013. A few highlights of the second set of sketches include the following: the picturesqu

The California State Railroad Museum is proud to debut a new exhibit titled “Ticket to Ride: 150 Years of Passenger Comfort & Style” on Thursday, May 31, 2012.  Located in the Mezzanine Gallery near the entrance to the Theater, the exciting and highly visual exhibit showcases American railroad-related artifacts that chronicle how the on-board experience has been enhanced over time through innovations in comfort, design, service and technology that have helped to meet ever-changing consumer expectations. For example, Museum visitors will have the opportunity to view different types of passenger seating from the 1870s to present and to experience sitting in a restored 1930s vintage upholste

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

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

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

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

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

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 with spring just around the corner, many of the 28 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are proud to showcase a variety of fresh, spring-related events and activities in March, including: “Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fest” at The Sacramento Zoo - March 3 For one-day only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors to the Sacramento Zoo will have the unique opportunity to visit with local gardening clubs and plant experts who wi

The California State Railroad Museum, in collaboration with the Center for Railroad Photography & Art, will debut a visually-enticing new photo exhibit titled Steam: An Enduring Legacy, the Railroad Photographs of Joel Jensen on Friday, March 9, 2012.  To help kick-off this exciting exhibit, Joel Jensen will deliver two special presentations in the Railroad Museum Theater on Sunday, March 11, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., each to be followed by book signing opportunities. Showcasing 50 dramatic black-and-white images, the exhibit features a selection of railroad photographs taken and published in a new book of the same name by the famed railroad photographer.  Visitors to the Railroad Museum wil

In celebration of Black History Month, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to present two special guest presentations and book signing opportunities with Professor Theodore Kornweibel, Jr., author of Railroads in the African American Experience: A Photographic Journey.    After 30 years of research and work in the field of black history, Kornweibel will share his thoughts and findings during two special illustrated presentations on Saturday, February 18, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., each to be followed by book signing opportunities.  His photographic book is a captivating, illustrated tour of the black railroad experience from slavery to Amtrak. It includes nearly 200 compelling image

After a record-breaking attendance of more than 115,000 visitors last year, 28 Sacramento area museums will offer free or half-priced admission all day on Saturday, February 4, 2012, during the 14th Annual Sacramento Museum Day.  New this year, 26 of the 28 museums will offer free admission whereas two destinations located in residential areas -- the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town -- will offer half-priced admission to offset parking control and security costs.  This hugely popular community event is presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Sacramento Museum event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.).

After a record-breaking attendance of more than 115,000 visitors last year, 28 Sacramento area museums will offer free or half-priced admission all day on Saturday, February 4, 2012, during the 14th Annual Sacramento Museum Day.  New this year, 26 of the 28 museums will offer free admission whereas two destinations located in residential areas -- the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town -- will offer half-priced admission to offset parking control and security costs.  This hugely popular community event is presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Sacramento Museum event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.).