Sac History Happenings: Railroad Museum reaches its 30th birthday

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

May 2, 2011

Railroad Museum reaches its 30th birthday

The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento reached a milestone today. On May 2, 1981 it opened its doors for the first time. Gov. Jerry Brown, dignitaries and a enthusiastic crowds were on hand to mark the occasion and see the vintage trains.

Historian Lance Armstrong of Valley Community Newspapers observed that the museum is celebrating two anniversaries this Spring: its groundbreaking on April 21, 1978, as well as its grand opening. He notes the continuing success of this massive three story, 100,000 square-foot facility which attracts some half million visitors every year. But this brick building is only part of a complex of historical attractions which also includes the Central Pacific passenger station and freight depot, the "Big Four Building," the Dingley Spice Mill Building and the 1849 Eagle Theatre.

Attached is a microfilm copy of The Bee's coverage of Opening Day festivities.

Rocket RR014.jpg

PHOTO CREDIT: (top) Locomotive No. 8 of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad arrives at the grand opening of the California State Railroad Museum. (middle) Gov. Jerry Brown addresses the crowd. (bottom) Rail fans view a working replica of England's historic Rocket locomotive. May 1981 Sacramento Bee photos by Morgan Ong.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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