Debbie Croft: Mariposa Museum comes up big for small town

As one of the best museums in a small town west of the Mississippi, the Mariposa Museum and History Center is definitely worth the $5 admission fee. Visitors have called this place “unexpectedly engaging.”

One would expect a museum in California’s Gold Country to display machinery and related items from mining days long ago. The common vocations of ranching, lumber, railroad, plus pioneer medicine and education would also be included. And if a famous politician headed this way, purchased land and struck gold right here, some of his personal artifacts might be protected within the museum’s walls.

But this particular museum has managed to preserve much more.

A Miwok display features glimpses of early native village life.

Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese and Latino cultures are represented, since thousands of Europeans and Central Americans settled in the area. Like others, they sought gold or at least the opportunity for a better life during the 1800s and early 1900s.

Photographs, letters, maps, original certificates and receipts are among the items at the museum. Small-scale rooms and offices have been re-created to house relics and give visitors an authentic feel as to how our ancestors worked, lived and spent their free time.

When teaching California history, many Central Valley teachers bring their students to the Mariposa Museum to supplement book learning. Watching docents make brooms and watching the stamp mill crush rock are two of students’ favorite activities. Of course, panning for gold holds their attention, too.

But touring this museum not only gives visitors a view of the past, it offers a look into the hearts and minds of its volunteers. These docents hold a deep affection for their roots and for preserving history. Some enjoy passing on the values of a previous generation to the next generation; some just want to satisfy their curiosity.

Tom Phillips is a local historian and president of the museum. Sylvia Emery serves as vice president and devotes much of her time to research. These two spend countless hours working to collect, document and care for the donated items.

When a family member passes away, area residents often give antique household goods, clothing, furniture or historic personal belongings to the museum.

While giving tours, docents usually wear period attire.

Visitors can request a docent-led tour or they can use the museum guidebook for self-guided tours. The books are written in English as well as other languages, and describe the contents of each display.

“Most of the exhibits are permanent,” Emery says. “But we have two revolving displays that change throughout the year.”

This past week she removed an exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the local high school. It’s being replaced with a display of old musical instruments.

Mike Wenrich is on the board and has served in various positions since 2008. He started working in the blacksmith shop. Eventually he learned to operate the stamp mill.

“I still learn something every time I go to the museum,” he says. “It really is a world-class collection.”

He and his wife visit museums whenever and wherever they travel, but they especially enjoy California’s history. About his service to the museum, he said he hopes that younger generations of Mariposans will take over and maintain what others before him started.

The museum is hosting a Docents Fair on March 21. Admission is free for this event.

Local historians and museum docents will be available at all the displays. The public is invited to not only visit the museum, but to consider becoming involved. Docents typically volunteer once or twice a month.

Volunteer workdays are held every Tuesday to maintain the grounds and relics. Individuals with skills in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and/or mechanics are especially needed. Workers usually start by 9 a.m.

The museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, and New Year’s Eve and Day.

General adult admission is $5 and those younger than 18 are admitted free. The museum is at 5119 Jessie St. (south of Eleventh Street and next to West America Bank).

Visit www.mariposamuseum.com or call (209) 966-2924 for details.

This story was originally published March 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Mariposa Museum comes up big for small town."