The Sutter's Fort "Hands on History" series continues this Saturday with a program focus on gold mining and gambling circa 1850. Visitors can pan for gold to get a "stake" and local currency to play vintage games of chance such as Faro, three-card monte and chuck-a-luck. Kids can create their own hand-made crafts they can take home.
Incidentally, there's a new web site displaying many of the important artifacts associated with John Sutter and other early pioneers who emigrated to California. Stronghold of Pioneer Memories also explains the history of Sutter Fort's reconstruction and the development of the museum collection. You'll see pictures of rare pieces such as Sutter's opera glasses, an 1864 Hammond Bulldog .38 caliber pistol, and house boots and bible used by Donner Party survivor Patty Reed Lewis.
What: Hands on History: Mining the Miners
Where: Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L Street, Midtown,
Sacramento
When: July 16, 2011. Fort hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cannon firing demonstrations: 11:30 a.m.,
1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $6 per adult (18 and older), $4 per youth (ages 6-17), free for
children 5 years and under
For More: Call 916-445-4422 or visit www.parks.ca.gov/suttersfort
PHOTO CREDIT: Patty Reed's doll on permanent display in the Sutter's Fort museum collection. Courtesy Sutter's Fort State Historic Park.
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