The largest collection of hand tools, the history of the region’s railroad, a temple built more than 150 years ago to serve the largest community of Chinese north of Sacramento — all are museums you can visit in Butte County.
This month, Butte County Museum Week has been extended through March to highlight 18 museums in the county and their various offerings.
Explore Butte County hosts the annual event. Ashley Baer, the nonprofit’s marketing director, said the event was designed to encourage and commemorate history, art, and culture through the county’s vast network of museums and cultural centers.
"These [museums] are the storytellers of our cities and the county, and they give in-depth perspectives, telling stories about perhaps parts of our history that we didn't even know about.”- Ashley Baer, Explore Butte County marketing director
“This is an opportunity to go still and visit all participating locations. Even if you missed the free admission weekend, you can still go and discover what makes these museums so special,” Baer said.
She hopes the extension of time will increase visibility for the area's various museums.
“There are a ton of museums in Butte County, and they're hidden gems, and this is why we do Museum Weekend,” Baer said.
A digital passport is also being offered that allows visitors to check in with a photo. Those who check into five different locations or special events during March will receive a custom museum sticker. Every family member can collect a sticker.
“In addition to all the check-ins and the sticker, every single check-in to a museum or to one of their extra events throughout the month is an entry into a grand prize drawing,” Baer said.
This year’s grand prize is a free year-long membership to the county museum of your choice.
“It's essential for the community to get involved with these local museums because they hold so much of our history,” Baer said. “These are the storytellers of our cities and the county, and they give in-depth perspectives, telling stories about perhaps parts of our history that we didn't even know about.”
Events include the Oroville Chinese Temple offering a Chinese tea tasting at 1 p.m. on March 15. The cost is $30.
The Janet Turner Museum will have an art history trivia night at 5 p.m. on March 13.
Also, the Chico History Museum will have a special lecture on John Bidwell on March 28.
