Sacramento History Museum, Sacramento
The only museum in the area entirely dedicated to Sacramento and the California Gold Rush, the Sacramento History Museum is ideally situated in the middle of the old town. The collection is housed in a replica building built to represent the town's 1854 City Hall and Waterworks building.
The history museum opened in 1985 to house artifacts from the city and the local science center. Exhibits cover the town's earliest years, from 1839 when settler John Sutter arrived. Old Sacramento sprang up fast after gold was discovered nearby in 1849, with hotels, saloons, and shops where would-be miners could outfit themselves for their mission. That part of town has been faithfully restored to appear as it did in the gold rush era, with gas lamplights and cobblestone streets.
Among the museum's most fascinating exhibits is a view of the Old Sacramento Underground. In the 1860s, the entire city was raised to avoid flooding. The exhibit allows visitors to get a glimpse of this incredible undertaking.
The history museum opened in 1985 to house artifacts from the city and the local science center. Exhibits cover the town's earliest years, from 1839 when settler John Sutter arrived. Old Sacramento sprang up fast after gold was discovered nearby in 1849, with hotels, saloons, and shops where would-be miners could outfit themselves for their mission. That part of town has been faithfully restored to appear as it did in the gold rush era, with gas lamplights and cobblestone streets.
Among the museum's most fascinating exhibits is a view of the Old Sacramento Underground. In the 1860s, the entire city was raised to avoid flooding. The exhibit allows visitors to get a glimpse of this incredible undertaking.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sacramento. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Sacramento History Museum on Map
Sight Name: Sacramento History Museum
Sight Location: Sacramento, USA (See walking tours in Sacramento)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Sacramento, USA (See walking tours in Sacramento)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Sacramento, California
Create Your Own Walk in Sacramento
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sacramento is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Sacramento Introduction Walking Tour
Though little evidence is left now, the Sacramento Valley was home to the Modoc, Plains Miwok, and Nisenan Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of the pioneers and the Spanish. John Sutter Sr. settled at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, land bequeathed to him by the Mexican government in 1839. He had his eyes on creating an agriculture empire. You... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
The Gold Rush of the mid-1800s brought a large number of gold miners and prospects to Sacramento. The city expanded further when the California State Legislature moved here in 1854. Some of Sacramento’s historic buildings date back to that period and used to accommodate the flood of gold seekers and growing government business.
The elegant Governor's Mansion State Historic Park once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The elegant Governor's Mansion State Historic Park once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles