A national panel of experts brought to Sacramento by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) made a third visit to Sacramento, last week, to provide insight on how to connect the Depot District in the Downtown Railyards—one of the largest infill sites in the nation—to the riverfront, Old Sacramento, Downtown and West Sacramento. The Depot District is home to the planned intermodal transportation hub for the region as well as additional land for future development, but current access to the site is constrained. Since 2011, the City has been working with national experts from the ULI’s Daniel Rose Center for Public Leadership in Land Use to provide insight and assistance on planning efforts to rede

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

All aboard for some Halloween fun Old Sacramento style!  The California State Railroad Museum is proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train rides aboard a whimsically decorated train crawling with spiders, cobwebs and cornstalks while staffed with an entertaining “skeleton crew.” Family-favorite “Spookomotive” train rides are offered for the next three weekends on October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28.  For more information about “Spookomotive” train rides or other events and activities provided by the California State Railroad Museum, call 916-445-6645 or visit www.californiastaterailroadmuseum.org.   

As part of a returning Living History “Ghost Tours” program offered by the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation, Old Sacramento guests can journey back in time to hear ghostly tales and spooky stories as they walk through the history-rich streets and re-live 19th century lore.  On Friday and Saturday evenings for the next three weekends, always-popular "Ghost Tours" depart from the Sacramento History Museum every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 9 p.m.  Entertaining yet knowledgeable tour guides will take daring and inquisitive guests through Old Sacramento’s infamous locales to experience a bit of the dark side of California’s history.  Don’t miss the special Living History “Ghost Tours” on Octobe

Get a glimpse into California’s history!  A special “Election Day Living History” event recreates an important event in California’s past – the 1906 Election. This Sunday, October 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m., the California State Capitol will be turned back to 1906 with costumed docents dressed as the four gubernatorial candidates – Theodore Bell (Democrat), James Gillett (Republican), William Langdon (Independence League), and Austin Lewis (Socialist). This Living History event provides visitors the opportunity to learn about real historical figures who are dealing with real issues from 1906 as they run for the office of Governor of California.   Visitors will hear speeches from each of

Get ready for the new autumn season by visiting the State Indian Museum on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during an educational and fun-filled “Acorn Day” that celebrates the acorn, a traditional dietary staple of California Indians.  Part of the month-long ARTOBER effort that highlights the arts in Sacramento,  guests to the State Indian Museum will enjoy learning about the time-honored tradition of preparing acorn for food and sampling traditional acorn mush and flat breads.  Children can participate in Native games, traditional arts & crafts, and hands-on table activities. For more information about this event or other activities happening at the State Indian Museum, call

In honor of “Day of the Dead” activities celebrated each year in Mexico and in major cities around the world, Sol Collective and the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation have teamed up to present a series of Dia De Los Muertos/“Souls of the City” events and activities in Old Sacramento that take place throughout October and culminate on November 2 & 3, 2012.   The annual tradition -- a national holiday in Mexico – is showcased by friends and families building elaborate altars to honor loved ones who have died then gathering in remembrance and celebration.   A series of community workshops and special activities will be held in October that showcase the traditions and/or demonstrate how to c

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 October, many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are offering fun Halloween and harvest-related events and activities sure to get guests in a festive spirit, including: Spookomotive Train Rides at the Railroad Museum -- October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 All aboard for some Halloween fun Old Sacramento style!  The California State Railroad Museum is proud to offer diesel-powered “Spookomotive” train ri

In celebration of National Archives Month this October, archives and special collections libraries from throughout the region will showcase their rarely-seen holdings during the 2nd Annual “Sacramento Archives Crawl” on Saturday, October 6.  Free and open to the public, the theme for the event this year is Building Sacramento, Building Communities and crawl participants can expect to see a wide range of historic materials documenting the growth of the region.  Showcasing historic treasures from twenty-two Northern California institutions, special artifacts will be on display at four host locations including the California State Archives, the California State Library, the Center for Sacrame

The California State Railroad Museum and the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society invite interested observers to a discussion among four eminent historians on Friday, September 28. This Symposium event will take place at the California State Railroad Museum beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at approximately 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend the special Symposium but  regular Museum admission fees apply on this day. The Symposium will explore such questions as the following: Was the transcontinental railroad built too soon?  Was the Southern Pacific really “the octopus” of muckraking literature?  Were the railroad builders good businesspeople, even in their own terms?  And do the answers t

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

The Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park (SHP) is proud to host historian and author Dr. Catherine Millard on Saturday, September 22 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Visitor's Center.  Dr. Millard will be on-site to speak about the challenges facing many state parks and sign copies of her new book titled The Dismantling of America’s History.  Dr. Millard is the author of 14 history-related books and has worked as a scholar and researcher at the Library of Congress for the past 22 years.  In her new book, Dr. Millard addresses the legacy and enduring impact of the Governor's Mansion SHP and other valuable historic landmarks in jeopardy and their immeasurable contribution to the social, natura

Attention teachers and educators...the  Historic Old Sacramento Foundation is pleased to present the first-ever “Teacher’s Day at the Sacramento History Museum” on Thursday, September 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.!  In an effort to share information about the interactive and fun hands-on programs and educational exhibits on display at the Museum, knowledgeable docents will be available for area educators interested in learning more about new ways to help make California’s fascinating history come alive for their students.   After all, visitors to the Sacramento History Museum can explore the region’s rich history from the days before the Gold Rush to the present. Plus, each educator who attends the

In partnership with the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA), the California State Railroad Museum will debut an entertaining new exhibit titled “Whittle Stop: A Cast of Caricatures on a Wild West Train” on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.  The fun and fanciful new exhibit is an intricately detailed wooden sculpture of a 1880s era steam train from engine to caboose complete with a handcar, water tower, railroad depot, crossing gate and a cadre of more than 40 humorous characters from all walks of life in the West.  Museum visitors of all ages will marvel at the colorful train and ensemble that was whittled, sculpted and meticulously painted by a group of 25 dedicated carvers who spent countless

The California Preservation Foundation (CPF) has awarded Catherine Taylor with the President’s Award for 2012 for her work to preserve California’s heritage and historic places. Taylor is the district superintendent for the Capital District of California State Parks and is known for providing statewide leadership, advocacy and education to ensure the protection of California’s diverse cultural heritage and historic places. CPF honors individuals and organizations for their dedicated preservation efforts that allow others to gain a deeper appreciation of historic resources and their value to California’s economy, environment, and quality of life.  The award will be presented at a special 20

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

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

Lights, Camera, Action!  Back by popular demand, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to host a unique “Trains & Tripods Photo Opportunity & Lighting Seminar" on Friday evening, September 14, and Saturday, September 15. The two-part program includes an optional seminar on existing light photography and a photographers-only photo 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 wi

In celebration of National Archives Month this October, archives and special collections libraries from throughout the region will showcase their rarely-seen holdings during the 2nd Annual “Sacramento Archives Crawl” on Saturday, October 6.  Free and open to the public, the theme for the event this year is Building Sacramento, Building Communities and crawl participants can expect to see a wide range of historic materials documenting the growth of the region.  Showcasing historic treasures from twenty Northern California institutions, special artifacts will be on display at four host locations including the California State Archives, the California State Library, the Center for Sacramento