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 September, many of the 29 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are celebrating our unique history and fascinating heritage with special events and activities, including: Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento – August 31 to September 3 Get ready to turn back time to the 1850s for the wildly fun, entertaining and free Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento over Labor Day Weekend!  Guests will enjoy all the old favorites lik

The City and the Sacramento Tree Foundation are now able to do what has been frequently asked, particularly after a storm brings down large branches or a majestic dying tree needs to come down: “Can we have the wood?” Today, the answer is yes. The Sacramento Tree Foundation is ramping up the first Urban Wood Rescue Program in the City. Having  received a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the time was ideal for the foundation to partner with the City. So, when the giant camphor tree at 18th and Capitol must come down beginning Wednesday morning, Aug. 22, starting at 8 a.m., its trunk may live on in a piece of furniture through the program. T

To the delight of local beer and history enthusiasts alike, the Sacramento History Foundation is pleased to present a unique event titled “Untapped Sacramento History” on Wednesday evening, September 5, 2012.  At the special event, adult guests are invited to visit the Center for Sacramento History to indulge in special brew tastings from three local breweries set-up on-site -- Ruhstaller, Track 7 and Two Rivers Cider -- AND the rare chance to take a tour inside the prized collections vault to view some of the brew-related historic artifacts and memorabilia.  Some of the brew-related items on special display include a still-full bottle of beer from the 1910s (approximately 100 years old!)

To the delight of history enthusiasts and food and wine lovers throughout the region, Friends of Sutter’s Fort is proud to present a unique culinary experience -- “Feast at the Fort” -- on Saturday evening, September 22.  Previously known as “A Taste of History,” this is the third year for this signature event for Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP).  “Feast at the Fort” guests will enjoy a satisfying four-course, sit-down dinner prepared by Sacramento’s top chefs amid a beautiful setting inside the historic walls of Sutter’s Fort SHP.  With KFBK’s Kitty O’Neal as the celebrity emcee, the historic food preservation technique of curing – popular in the heyday of Sutter’s Fort -- will be

It’s time to celebrate Sacramento-style when the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation presents “Rollin’ on the River” on Friday evening, September 14, 2012*.  Honoring Sacramento restaurant owner Lina Fat and saluting the 100th birthday of the iconic I Street Bridge, the festive event begins with a VIP Reception – emceed by Dave Walker and Lois Hart -- at the Sacramento History Museum followed by a memorable and spirited River Cruise aboard the Empress Hornblower. As the Empress Hornblower cruises down the Sacramento River, adult-only guests will enjoy scrumptious food, 1850s-style gambling, and a champagne toast saluting the I Street Bridge when cruising underneath the local icon.  This fe

It’s “game on” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park! Continuing a popular series of interactive and fun “Hands on History” activities, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) will present a special “Hands on History: Fun on the Frontier!” event on Saturday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enthusiastic docents will guide Fort visitors in learning to play fun and interactive pioneer games and contests that went a long way in lifting spirits, easing tensions and nurturing a sense of community.  Visitors of all ages are encouraged to participate in fun and friendly games such as barrel hoop races, the game of Graces, tug-of-war, jump rope, old fashioned marbles and even parlor games.  Using

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

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 August, many of the 29 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are heating up the fun with some out-of-the-box celebrations and activities, including: Month-Long Birthday Celebration at the Sacramento Children’s Museum - August 1-31 During the entire month of August, the Sacramento Children’s Museum celebrates their one-year birthday with special activities every single day! Then on August 30, the Museum is throwi

All aboard as the California State Railroad Museum celebrates summer in rail-related style with a special, one-night-only “Ales on the Rails” brew sampling event. The sunset train ride takes place on the Sacramento Southern Railroad on Saturday evening, August 18, when adult passengers will have the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy views of the Sacramento River.  As the train rolls along, guests will sample tasty appetizers provided by Crisp Catering, and three signature artisanal brews -- Alkali Wit, Bee Line Blonde and Daylight Amber -- will be provided by Sacramento’s newest brewery, Track 7 Brewing Company. The special evening begins with boarding at 7:15 p.m. as the train de

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) and the State Indian Museum are teaming up to present a special “Hands on History: They Came From All Over the World - Before the Gold Rush” event on Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Many people don’t realize that even before gold was discovered in 1848 (which prompted the Gold Rush in 1849), the community of Sutter’s Fort and the visitors to New Helvetia were already an incredibly diverse mixture of people and cultures.  Not surprisingly, many languages were spoken, many different religions were practiced, and attitudes towards dress, cooking and behavior varied greatly.  As part of the special “Hands on History” event happening on the sa

For the third consecutive summer and to the delight of guests near and far, the popular “Time Travel Weekends” program will resume in Old Sacramento on Saturday, July 7, 2012.  Designed to entertain and engage Old Sacramento visitors with good, old-fashioned fun reminiscent of the Gold Rush era, the free “Time Travel Weekends” street theater program first debuted in 2010 and will be offered again on weekends from July 7 through August 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The “Time Travel Weekends” program is presented by the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation (HOSF) in partnership with the City of Sacramento, California State Parks, Old Sacramento Business Association and participating merchants an

All aboard for a summertime special train ride when the California State Railroad Museum presents “Riding the Rails with Mark Twain” on Saturday evening, July 7.  Guests are invited to enjoy a warm summer evening in Old Sacramento State Historic Park along with Mark Twain (portrayed by local period actor Pat Kaunert), cool refreshments, entertaining live music and a delightful train ride along the Sacramento River.  The leisurely evening begins at 6:30 p.m. inside the historic Eagle Theatre with Mark Twain sharing fascinating stories about his train travels in the West.  Mr. Twain will be accompanied by popular Mother Lode fiddler, Dave Rainwater.  Then at 7:30 p.m., guests will board the

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 July, many of the 29 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are proud to showcase a variety of special evening events geared primarily for adults, including: Starry Nights at the Crocker Art Museum - July 5 On the first Thursday evening of the month through September, the Crocker will screen classic and contemporary films in the E. Kendell Davis Courtyard and will feature “Casablanca” on July 5.  Activities begi

Union Pacific Railroad will continue its year-long 150th anniversary celebration with a huge, two-day signature event in Old Sacramento September 29-30. The free event 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 held at the California State Railroad Museum. “Union Pacific’s 150th anniversary gives us a special chance to celebrate our historic past with the com

Donated by the Sacramento Tree Foundation, three historically-appropriate trees were planted on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion State Historic Park on June 20.   The donated trees include a Japanese Cherry Tree (that was documented in a photograph of Gov. Frank Merriam, California’s 28th governor, and his wife) and two medium-sized Dutch Elm Resistant (DED) Elm Trees (that were documented in a 1971 photo showing the rear steps and south elevation was shaded by elm canopies).  These special plantings are part of a continued and steadfast effort to restore the Governor’s Mansion SHP to its original grandeur inside and out. 

--Press Release from the Office of Mayor Kevin Johnson-- SACRAMENTO, CA – Mayor Kevin Johnson announced on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, that Sacramento will receive $15 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to rehabilitate the Sacramento Valley Station at the Rail yards. “This grant is a huge shot in the arm for Sacramento and could not have come at a better time. The City has continued to fight for dollars at the federal level and today’s announcement is the result of those tireless efforts. “Thanks to the President Obama and Secretary LaHood, Sacramento will continue to transform our Rail y

If you are passionate about California’s fascinating history and would enjoy sharing and demonstrating the compelling stories from the mid-1800s, consider becoming a volunteer at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park!   Applications are now being accepted now through July 9 for volunteer positions this summer and comprehensive training is provided. A background in California history is not required and a variety of positions are currently available.   For instance, you might choose to serve as a docent -- dressed in period attire of course -- to present the events and times of the John Sutter and his New Helvetia settlement.  Or, you might choose a role behind-the-scenes at the historic site.

The California State Railroad Museum is gearing up to celebrate “Diesels and Dads” on Sunday, June 17 (Father’s Day), by showcasing seven rarely seen diesel locomotives that will be on special display from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The locomotives on display will include two stationed inside the Museum itself: Foley Bros. No 110-1, a pioneering 1929 diesel locomotive, and Southern Pacific No. 6819, a 1970s ”Tunnel Motor” hood unit.  On the turntable outside the Museum, the unpainted Southern Pacific No. 6402, a F7A Cab unit, will be displayed with open sides exposing the interior mechanical components.  Southern Pacific No. 5208, a 1949 Baldwin road switcher, and Sacramento Northern No. 402, a 19

Continuing a popular series of interactive and fun “Hands on History” activities, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) will present a special “Hands on History: Three Flags, One Fort” event on Saturday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Marked by passionate public debate and a charged atmosphere with a feeling of danger looming in the air, Sutter’s Fort SHP will use three distinctive flags to visually demonstrate the heated struggle for power before statehood in 1850. The special event will explore the politics, similarities and differences between the Mexican, American and independent rule during this unsettled period of change and uncertainty in California’s history. With cannon firin

In addition to the popular Old Sacramento Underground Tour program already underway for the season, the Historic Old Sacramento Foundation is adding to the fun with intriguing “above ground” walking tours as well.   On weekends beginning June 9,  and continuing through August, two informative walking tours will be offered that include the following: Sacramento City: California’s Gold Rush Legacy Tour and Old Sacramento Architectural Tour: From Canvas to Brick.  For the Gold Rush Legacy Tours, docents in historically appropriate attire take guests on a journey back to the 1850s using original and reconstructed Gold Rush-era buildings as a compelling backdrop to describe what the town was