Support our local museums

Did you know that women in the state of California gained the right to vote in 1911, years before the 19th Amendment was passed? And how much do you know about early settlers to Butte County, many of whom came seeking gold? Did you know that an Oregonian named Peter Burnett led a group here the year before John Bidwell founded Bidwell Bar? His settlement was named Oregon City, and he went on to serve as the first governor of California.

These are just two small examples of the richness of our local history, history that’s stored in our archives and museums and carefully tended to by community organizations and members who see their value and hope to share it. As chroniclers of history as it happens, we at the CN&R appreciate the work that goes into maintaining our historical structures and the stories that go along with them. There is much to be learned from our ancestors’ successes and failures. As the saying goes, those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

In our cover package this week, we shine a light on just a few passionate local individuals and groups who work tirelessly to catalog, display and, in some instances, even re-enact our history. With Friday (May 18) being International Museum Day and May being National Historic Preservation Month, we thought it was an appropriate time to recognize their efforts.

One thing we learned while exploring local museums is that many people who visit to learn end up contributing themselves, with stories about their ancestors or even historical photographs and newspaper clippings. This is encouraged! In fact, the Gridley Museum is currently soliciting local pioneer families to contribute to a new exhibit. If you think yours qualifies as a pioneer family (moved to the Gridley, Biggs or Live Oak area prior to 1910, ), go to gridleymuseum.org to apply.

Obviously, Butte County’s museum offerings go beyond history, to include science, art and other curiosities. The breadth of what we have here deserves praise and celebration, in addition to appreciation. We hope you, dear readers, will take our cue and get out there to explore. Most local museums, even those with staffs, are volunteer-backed endeavors. They have bare-bones budgets that rely on fundraisers, donations from visitors and memberships, which are inexpensive—$25-$30 annually seems to be the norm. In other words, it costs relatively little to support these organizations and, in the meantime, you might just learn something.