Debbie Croft: Old country museums offer chance to step back in time

Museums in the gateway communities to Yosemite in California’s Gold Country offer a step back in time.

Visitors gain an appreciation for the pioneers who settled this region over a century ago – along with deeper gratitude for modern conveniences. Most museums are kid-friendly, allowing little hands to touch at least some of the articles on display.

In Mariposa, the California State Mining and Mineral Museum is a fascinating place to visit. Located at the county fairgrounds in a wood structure from another era, some of the state’s finest gems, rocks and minerals are exhibited year-round. Check www.parks.ca.gov for details.

▪ The Mariposa Museum and History Center is one of the top 10 small museums west of the Mississippi River, according to the Smithsonian Institution.

On the grounds are two stamp mills, a blacksmith shop, the former Mariposa Gazette building (where the local newspaper was printed for more than 70 years) and the Counts House, personal residence of prominent community members at one time.

Museum exhibits inside feature items from the town’s diverse heritage, including the Miwuk Indians, European, Latino and Chinese settlers.

Learn about John C. Fremont and his bride, Jessie Benton Fremont, Joaquin Murietta, the Trabucco and Schlageter families, plus former doctors, miners, teachers and ranchers. See www.mariposamuseum.com for more information.

▪ At the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum, displays are shown on a rotating basis. These include a model of the Longfellow Mine and Mill, as well as photos and heirlooms from generations of immigrant families who carved a living in the Sierra.

Information is available on regional flora and fauna. Learn about the California black bear, wild pigs, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, mule deer and local owls.

View artifacts such as old baskets, bottles, woodworking tools and newspapers. Discover interesting facts about Bower Cave, Priest Station and the Hetch Hetchy Railroad. And explore the old route taken by stageHouse icoach drivers from Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite National Park.

The museum is operated by the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society. See details at www.grovelandmuseum.org.

▪ Coulterville’s past is well-preserved at the Northern Mariposa County History Center. As one of America’s favorite western towns, residents here are devoted to protecting and sharing their heritage.

This small museum holds several permanent exhibits, as well as seasonal displays.

The Sun Sun Woo exhibit features items brought to America by Susan Bramson’s grandfather during the Boxer Rebellion.

A beautiful model of the original Wells Fargo office and the Coulterville Hotel provide a glimpse of the buildings before the fire of 1899 destroyed most of the town.

Local history is also maintained by descendants of pioneer families still living in the area. The museum website provides exhibit details and community information: www.coultervillehistorycenter.org.

▪ Experiencing Western railroad history couldn’t be more fun than riding on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. Located between Oakhurst and Yosemite’s southern entrance, four miles of track are surrounded by the majestic landscape of the Sierra National Forest.

Historic locomotives once hauled lumber on log trains to the Central Valley. Now passengers ride into the past on hour-long excursions regularly scheduled from March through October. Visitors enjoy panning for gold, too. Learn more at www.ymsprr.com.

▪ Those interested in obtaining a permit to hike Half Dome this year will benefit from Rick Deutsch’s webinar on the permit process.

“The National Park Service lottery begins in March – a month away!” Deutsch says. “Do you have your planned dates firmed up? Got your team committed? Accommodations?”

Deutsch has hiked the dome at least three dozen times, and wrote the guide book on making it to the top.

Webinar fee is $5 via PayPal to ricky.deutsch@gmail.com. Veterans attend for free. (AnyMeeting.com is the collaboration tool.)

The same content will be presented in two live sessions, taking place Wednesday at noon and 7 p.m. Once registered, Deutsch will respond with the registration URL and details.

With only 40,000 permits available, early reservations and preparation are essential.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Old country museums offer chance to step back in time."