Get out there

Butte County is home to over a dozen history museums, each with its own unique focus. Here’s a rundown, plus a short list of resources for those interested in doing their own research. For a full list of museums in Butte County, pick up a copy of the Chico News & Review’s Discover Butte County.

Museums

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

Bidwell Mansion is Chico’s most famous home. The three-story, 26-room, pink-and-brown Victorian mansion was built in 1868 and named for its first occupants, Chico’s founder John Bidwell and his wife, Annie. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Mon. 525 Esplanade, 895-6144, bidwellmansionpark.com

Centerville Schoolhouse and Colman Museum

The historic Centerville Schoolhouse, built in 1894, is located alongside the Colman Museum, which focuses on the region’s history. Open Sat.-Sun., 1-4 p.m. 13458 Centerville Road, 893-9667

C.F. Lott Home—Sank Park

This Victorian revival home was built in 1856 by “Judge” C.F. Lott, a Gold Rush pioneer and founder of California’s first citrus exchange. Tours reveal the history of the Lott family, including the love story between Lott’s daughter Cornelia and Jesse Sank. The grounds cover a full city block and include a carriage house, gardens, a gazebo and flower garden. 1067 Montgomery St., 538-2497

Gold Nugget Museum

This museum is an ode to the history of the Ridge, from the infamous 54-pound gold nugget found in 1859 to the Maidu Indians who inhabited the region prior to European settlement. The grounds feature farm and mining equipment, a replication of an Old West mining town, a working blacksmith shop, gold panning sluices and a picnic area. Open Wed.-Sun., noon-4 p.m. 502 Pearson Road, Paradise, 872-8722, goldnuggetmuseum.com

Gridley Museum

Rotating exhibits in the museum, which is housed in the historic Veatch Building, depict early life in Gridley. Pick up a downtown walking tour map there or arrange for a docent-led tour. Open Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 601 Kentucky St., 846-4482, gridleymuseum.com

Paradise Depot Museum

Dedicated to the history of the Paradise Depot, one of four depots serving the Butte County Railroad and built in 1904. Open noon-4 p.m. on weekends. 5570 Black Olive Drive, 877-1919

Patrick Ranch Museum

Patrick Ranch serves as an “interactive agricultural and natural history learning center.” Its stately Glenwood Farmhouse, built in 1877, houses the indoor museum, but the expansive acreage surrounding it boasts all the trappings of a working farm, including antique tractors and outbuildings, bucolic fields and a chicken coop. Open Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m., from mid-February through December. 10381 Midway, Durham, 342-4359, patrickranchmuseum.org

Pioneer History Museum

Opened in 1932, this museum is an ode to everything that came to the region before it, including a large collection of Native American artifacts in addition to items from some of Butte County’s Gold Rush towns. 2332 Montgomery St., Oroville, 538-2497

Stansbury Home

This gleaming-white Victorian home, built in 1883, sits at the corner of West Fifth and Salem streets. This is Chico’s most well-preserved example of late-19th century Italianate architecture. Hours: Sat.-Sun., 1-4 p.m. 307 W. Fifth St., 895-3848, stansburyhome.org

Yankee Hill Historical Society Museum

Formed in 2002, the society calls the Messilla Valley School, built in 1856, its home base. It’s also the site of a well-maintained museum and community center. The society also has a great website with historical videos and links to old newspaper stories. 11666 Concow Road, Yankee Hill, yankeehillhistory.com

Yuba Feather Museum and Gold Trader Flat

This indoor-outdoor museum offers a variety of exhibits based on early life in the region and includes genealogical information as well. The flat, outdoors, is a replica Gold Rush town, complete with schoolhouse, church, saloon and jailhouse. 19096 New York Flat Road, Forbestown, 675-1025

Archives and research

Butte County Hall of Records

Maintained by the county. 155 Nelson Ave., Oroville

Butte County Library

Various locations, buttecounty.net/bclibrary

Chico Heritage Association

History of buildings and people. City directories, newspapers from 1897-1952, fire maps. Plus a regular schedule of speakers and local history walks. Open Mon.-Thurs., noon-3 p.m. 225 Main St., Ste. D (inside the Garden Walk mall), chicoheritage.net

Meriam Library Special Collections

Extensive collection of photographs, maps and manuscripts. Meriam Library 305, Chico State campus, 898-6342, library.csuchico.edu/special-collections

Paradise Genealogical Society

Thousands of books and periodical articles of local genealogical interest. Call for hours. 5587 Scottwood Road, 877-2330, pargenso.org