Placer County Museums

On July 4th, 1894, Judge Prewett, Mayor Morgan of the City of Auburn, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Board of Supervisors dedicated the cornerstone of the new Placer County courthouse. Judge Prewett examined the stone to be plumb, level, and square. He explained, “Today we lay the foundation of a building that shall tell the future ages what manner of people we are and announced: “I declare it a fit and proper corner stone for this magnificent foundation.”

Beneath the foundation, a copper box was entombed as a permanent time capsule to commemorate the building of the planned Temple of Justice. Inside this box are newspaper articles from the Placer Herald, Placer Representative, Placer Argus, Placer Republican, Placer News Messenger, Newcastle News and Colfax Sentinel. There are various coins, stock certificates for the Placer and Nevada Railroad Company, two Manuals of Public Schools for Placer County, one copy of the Great Register of Voters, and a photograph of John C. Boggs. The box was also sprinkled with gold dust and anointed with oil.

Over the following four years, the courthouse was built and on July 4th, 1898, the completed structure was formally dedicated and opened to a grand celebration.

As this year marks the 175th anniversary of Placer County, a new time capsule will be entombed at this historic courthouse later this year and tell the future ages what manner of people we are today, in 2026. At the Placer County Museum, visitors can be a part of history and help inform what will be placed inside the time capsule to be opened in 75 years.

The museum will host its Heritage Trail day on Saturday, July 18. To learn more and plan your visit https://www.placer.ca.gov/7375/Heritage-Trail

Photo: Placer County Courthouse. Circa 1898. Placer County Museums collection.

The Fruitvale Schoolhouse Museum is switching up their hours this week. Instead of their normal time, they will be open on Saturday the 13th for Heritage Trail from 10am to 4pm. During Heritage Trail, you can experience school at a 136-year-old one room schoolhouse in rural Lincoln. Participate in hands-on activities in the classroom, explore the Native Plant Garden, or bring your picnic basket and enjoy lunch under the oak trees!

This Saturday, June 13th, the Heritage Trail will be headed to the Lincoln Area! Stop by any of the participating museums below for special Heritage Trail events and activities. As always, admission is FREE!

The Wheatland History Museum
111 Main St., Wheatland, CA 10 AM to 2 PM
The primary purpose of the Wheatland Historical Society is to discover, collect, preserve, and disseminate knowledge concerning the history of the Wheatland area in the County of Yuba and the State of California.

Lincoln Area Archives Museum
640 Fifth St., Lincoln 10 AM to 4 PM
A walk through the Lincoln Museum is a walk back in time, from our turn of the century kitchen to our complete blacksmith shop. We pay honor to each of our Military branches, while highlighting Gladding, McBean & Company Clay Factory on its 150-year celebration, as well as the McBean Park Pool 100-year event. Our collection of typewriters, telephones and cameras represent days gone by. It truly is a unique experience walking amongst over 4,500 historic artifacts and exhibits, with a side tour of our gift shop.

Fruitvale Schoolhouse Museum
3425 Fruitvale Rd., Lincoln 10 AM to 4 PM
Experience school at a 136-year-old one room schoolhouse in rural Lincoln. Participate in hands-on activities in the classroom, explore the Native Plant Garden, or bring your picnic basket and enjoy lunch under the oak trees!

For all the details, check out the Heritage Trail Website at https://www.placer.ca.gov/7375/Heritage-Trail