Public
Grand Opening
“Eureka! California Admission Day Weekend” commemorates California’s
admission into the Union in 1850. In celebration of this historical event,
California State Parks invites the public to experience the glory of the
past and beauty of California’s environment at a weekend festival
of free events in downtown Sacramento, September 9-11, 2005. Festivities
include the public grand opening of the Leland Stanford Mansion, the opening
of a special railroad workers exhibition at the California State Railroad
Museum and outdoor festival.
All California State Parks historic sites and museums in Sacramento’s
central city—the California State Railroad Museum, Leland Stanford
Mansion State Historic Park, Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park,
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Indian
Museum—are open FREE all three days. In addition, a large outdoor
festival area will be located adjacent to the Leland Stanford Mansion.
Here, California’s heritage will come alive all three days through
an array of hands-on activities, demonstrations, living history, storytelling,
exhibits and more! The California Museum for History, Women & the
Arts joins the celebration with FREE admission, inviting visitors to view
one of the original, surviving copies of the Declaration of Independence
and California’s historic 1849 Constitution.
The public is invited to join California State Parks, the California State
Parks Foundation and the Leland Stanford Mansion Foundation at the unveiling
of the restored Leland Stanford Mansion. Once the office of three governors—Leland
Stanford, Fredrick Low and Henry Haight—the imposing structure was
acquired by California State Parks in 1978. As a part of “Eureka!
Admission Day Weekend,” the public is invited to experience the
glory of this historic jewel for free, all weekend.
Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Sheldon Fogus, it was later
purchased and remodeled (twice!) by former Governor Leland Stanford. The
Mansion’s grand opening commemorates a 14-year, $20 million renovation
partnership between California State Parks and the Leland Stanford Mansion
Foundation. Coinciding with the celebration of California’s admission
as the 31st state in the Union on September 9, 1850, this festival honors
both the magnificent Leland Stanford Mansion and the many historic sites
and museums maintained and operated in Sacramento by California State
Parks.
Eureka! Admission Day Weekend events include:
CALIFORNIA ADMISSION DAY FESTIVAL
What: Outdoor Living History Festival (Rooftop Park, 8th & O Streets)
Experience living history with governors from California’s past,
including Leland Stanford, plus appearances by contemporaries such as
John Muir
Celebrate California’s cultural diversity through a variety of live
performances and authentic foods
Play 19th century children’s games
Take a ride on a scale model steam train or a horse-drawn vehicle, and
marvel at a full-sized steam locomotive
Learn about the historic Underground Railroad, find out how archeologists
work, or see an array of 19th century bicycles—all these and more
will be among the many exhibits on display
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 8th & O Streets (immediately west of Mansion) and surrounding
areas
Sacramento
Cost: Free
LELAND STANFORD MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK
What: Public Grand Opening and Free Tours of Leland Stanford Mansion State
Historic Park
Experience the majesty and elegance of the 19,000-square-foot Leland Stanford
Mansion with guided tours of the restored interior
Highlights include ceilings that soar up to 20 feet in height, gilded
mirrors and moldings, beautifully restored woodwork, elegant 19th century
crystal and bronze light fixtures, newly-re-created carpeting and original
period furnishings
Enjoy an exhibit of awe-inspiring paintings highlighting nature’s
grandeur
Grounds & Gardens
Tour the newly installed, period-style gardens
Enjoy performances and melodies reflective of Leland Stanford’s
era
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
800 N Street (at corner of 8th and N Streets)
Cost: Free
CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM
What: Grand Opening of Redesigned Galleries, Free Admission and Activities
at the California State Railroad Museum
Be among the first to experience new exhibits and redesigned galleries
highlighting the human face of railroading
Bring your family’s railroad heritage treasures and meet with the
Museum’s curators to share their history
Experience demonstrations of railroad equipment at work
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 111 “I” Street
Sacramento
Cost: Free
CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM
What: Free Tours of the California State Capitol Museum
Home of the California Legislature since 1869, California’s elegant
Capitol building beginning in the 1970s underwent a major renovation that
restored much of its original look.
Tour the restored historic offices of Attorney General, Secretary of State,
Treasurer and Governor of the State of California.
See trees from around the world throughout the surrounding, 40-acre Capitol
Park
Friday only, enjoy cake and ice cream in celebration of California’s
birthday
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cake and Ice Cream on Friday, September 9
Where: 10th and ‘L” Streets
Sacramento
Cost: Free
SUTTER’S FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK
What: Free Admission to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Special living history opportunity
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 2701 “L” Street
Sacramento
Cost: Free
CALIFORNIA STATE INDIAN MUSEUM
What: Free Admission to the California State Indian Museum
View artifacts highlighting many of the more than 150 distinct tribal
groups which once inhabited California, including basketry, beadwork,
clothing and exhibits about the ongoing traditions of various California
Native American groups.
See a display about Ishi, last of the Yahi Indians, who managed to remain
hidden from Western civilization until 1911, when he was discovered in
Northern California
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 26th and “K” Streets (adjacent to Sutter’s Fort
State Historic Park)
Sacramento
Cost: Free
GOVERNOR’S MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK
What: Free Tours of Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
Tour this 1877 Second Empire-Italianate mansion, which from 1903 to 1967
was home to thirteen of California’s governors and their families
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1526 “H” Street
Sacramento
Cost: Free
CALIFORNIA MUSEUM FOR HISTORY, WOMEN & THE ARTS
What: Free Admission to California Museum for History, Women & The
Arts
Original copy of U.S. Declaration of Independence and California Constitution
on display
California’s remarkable women
When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1020 “O” Street
Sacramento
Cost: Free
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