Crowing about the county museum

By Shannon Darling
News-Sentinel staff writer

Chucky is a proud rooster — he struts around his home, the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, as if he owns the place.

Hatched at the museum three years ago during a Springtime on the Farm demonstration, this gold and black-feathered rooster has the right to be proud of his home.

The San Joaquin County Museum is a 15-acre site dedicated to informing residents and visitors alike about the history of the county. Rightly so, the museum has dedicated a large amount of its space to agriculture and is largely considered an agriculture museum. From Chucky, the unofficial feathered-mascot, to the rows and rows of antique tractors, one can’t help but get a feel for the rich roots and fertile soil of the county’s past.

The museum is located in Micke Grove Park, a 65-acre county park which also includes a zoo, rose garden, Japanese garden, amusement park, picnic areas and a 18-hole golf course. Just south of Lodi off Highway 99, the museum and park are a must see for any visitor.

The museum has exhibits on local Indian culture, early agriculture, Delta agriculture, transportation, hay and grain, the grape-wine industry, trees, crops, education, government, early settlement life, textiles and the early settlers’ home life. As well, the museum boasts an extensive collection of antique tractors, Indian baskets and a large collection of antique tools.

“It’s the biggest tool collection west of the Mississippi,” said Ute Gampp, administrative manager at the museum.

From intricate levels made with the precision and attention to detail around 100 years ago to axes and hammers used to build some of the first homes in the county, this tool collection is enough to make any tool-lover salivate.

But the museum is not all tools and tractors. Visitors can also enjoy the softer side of history.

A collection of family items from Capt. Charles Weber, founder of Stockton, are also on display at the museum. Lace dresses and ivory hair combs are just some of the intimate artifacts on display belonging to Weber’s daughter, Julia.

“She kept everything,” Gampp said.

Also, enjoy a gander at an extensive collection of buttons. The rows and rows of 100-year-old buttons are intricate and beautiful.

The rather Baroque-style living room belonging to William Micke, donor of Micke Grove Park, is also on display.

“I think he (Micke) came with a dollar in his pocket,” Gampp said.

Micke grew his dollar enough to become a revered wine-maker. Micke’s 1930 Franklin, in beautiful condition, is also on display.

“It’s still driveable,” Gampp said.

Special programs include Pioneer School Day where third-, fourth- and fifth-grade classes spend a day in the one-room Calaveras School house.

During their day of education, children will experience an authentic period lesson surrounded by the environment similar to that of rural children who attended the one-room school in the 1880s.

Valley Days is also offered. The program shows school children how those in the valley lived without modern conveniences.

Experience life on a farm in the 1800s during the museum’s Springtime on the Farm from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 2 and 3.

Participants can experience buggy rides, butter making, gold panning, sheep shearing, goat milking and other farm-living mainstays.

A must-see Dec. 1 and 2 is the annual Festival of Trees, featuring dozens of decorated trees, entertainment and toy making.

The museum is open to the public from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for youth ages 6 to 12 years and seniors. Group tours and programs can be arranged.