Yesterday the boys and I had the pleasure of a field trip to Old Sac. We arrived a little early as I had to swing by first to get my school pic taken and as I was not quite sure of the time needed, I allowed for a cushion so as not to hold anyone up.
Being a little nippy the boys and I strolled through the wakening town to locate something warm to drink. We found Steemers, a quaint little corner coffee shop that turned out to be located just around the corner from Evangeline's, a must go to spot for BJ.
After getting our drinks we started back to the Museum to see who else had shown up.
The group was divided into three smaller groups. We were in group three and were able to take the Underground tour first. The boys and I found it fascinating. Under the city that we could see are the remains of what was once the original city. Due to the fear of flooding the inhabitants took on the daunting task of raising the city back in the late 1800's. It took about 14 years to complete, but when they were done the city stood 9 feet higher than it had originally. Below is a courtyard that is part of the original street level of Old Sacramento.
The underground tour actually took us to two sites. This is the entry to the underground site located under what used to be the bank.
After the underground tour our next experience was a tour of the museum itself, beginning with one of the original presses from the Sacramento Bee as well as a little history lesson on the printing process.
There were many displays on mining as well.
Not to mention several displays on Indian culture.
This one hurt my heart. It was a display commemorating a thirteen year old girl, May Hollister Woolsey, born Nov. 13, 1866 and died Sept 29, 1879 of encephalitis, which was likely caused from a mosquito bite. She was intelligent, beautiful, artistic and social. Her trunk, a time capsule of her life, had been sealed below the staircase of her home by her grief stricken parents. It was discovered 100 years later, intact, by the new owners of the home. Although her death brought an end to what may have been a life filled with many promises, it provided a window into the past for us to experience the life of a child back in the late 1800's.
Another part of the museum was donated to the canning industry. An important economic venue for the valley.
A tribute to the short lived, but renowned Pony Express is located downtown.
The Wells Fargo building is right across the street.
This building was empty, but too pretty not to photograph.
This building is the oldest in town, surviving the first flood and first fire. The fire burned unti most of the buildings were destroyed.
Owen tried his hand at mining. Luck had is back while he found piece after piece of pyrite.
This hardware store was a mini museum onto itself. Many original and copies of old style hardware, as well as some displays with some historical information.
The weather was fabulous, we all learned something new and best of all....
WE HAD FUN!
No comments:
Post a Comment