Sacramento History Museum

Think about Sacramento’s past and the Gold Rush comes to mind. But that’s only part of the story. The area’s abundant resources sustained native peoples for thousands of years before the onset of European and American settlers. The city and county’s vibrant history is full of surprises and contrasts. Riches and scarcity, generosity and greed, violence and beauty all mark Sacramento’s early days, a time when its future was by no means certain.

The Sacramento History Museum is a reproduction of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks. The original building was completed in the spring of 1854 at cost of $120,000.00. It housed the City Waterworks, the Mayor, Council, Marshall, Police, and many other City functions, including the courtroom and the City Jail. The original structure was demolished in 1913 and the new museum opened its doors to the public in 1985. Showcased in natural brick with two stories of 14-foot double-doors across the front, the building looks out on the 1849 Scene of the Old Sacramento State Park.

The Sacramento History Museum’s mission is to explore, interpret and display the region’s history from the days before the Gold Rush to the present. This diverse, and at times dramatic history unfolds throughout the museums galleries. The museum also offers the perfect starting point for exploring Old Sacramento State Historic Park and for understanding how the area developed and grew to the vibrant community it is today.