Area surrounding Lodi rich in historical attractions

By News-Sentinel staff

In addition to the Hill House, Rae House and San Joaquin County Historical museums, several other attractions are available for people to learn the history of the northern San Joaquin Valley, ranging from Sacramento to Stockton.

Among the museums are:

• Great Valley Serpentarium — Large and baby snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs and salamanders may be viewed at this retail and display location at 22379 Maggio Circle, Unit C, Lodi.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Free admission. Call (209) 369-7737.

• Children’s Museum of Stockton — Hands-on learning for children and their families is the trademark for this museum.

It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is located at 402 W. Weber Ave., Stockton.

Admission is $4 per person. For groups of 10 or more, admission is $3 per person. Children under 2 are admitted free. Summer day camp and group tours available. Call (209) 465-4386.

• Haggin Museum — The museum’s historical galleries include a pioneer room, American Indian gallery, California room, storefronts, vehicle gallery, Victorian hallway, Holt Gallery, an Asian room and three rooms for fine arts.

Exhibits in 2001 include “The Haggin at 70: A Museum History” from June 19 to July 15, the Stockton Art League Exhibition Aug. 19 to Sept. 30 and paintings of Yosemite National Park and the eastern Sierra Nevada from Oct. 21 to Dec. 30.

Hours are from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday at 1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton. School tours may be scheduled during morning hours.

Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for ages 10 through 17, students with valid school identification and seniors. Museum members and children under 10 who are accompanied by an adult will be admitted free. First Tuesday of each month is a free admission day. Call (209) 940-6300.

• Angels Camp Museum — Early mining equipment, wagons, minerals, artifacts, large horseshoe collection and a carriage house with 30 horse-drawn carriages from the Gold Rush. On weekends, a replica of an early 20th-century train from Jamestown to Angel Camp is displayed.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily March 1 to Nov. 30 and on weekends in January and February. Located at 753 S. Main St., Angels Camp. Call (209) 736-2963.

Admission is $2 for persons over 12 years of age and 50 cents for children 6 through 12. Under 6 is free.

• California State Railroad Museum — Features a three-story steel, brick and glass structure housing 21 restored locomotives and train cars.

It includes dioramas, pictures, murals and films documenting the history of the American railroad from 1860 to 1960. New this year is the “Cathedrals of Labor,” depicting the history of shops where the Southern Pacific locomotives were built.

SP shops new exhibits, history of the shops where locomotives were built “Cathedrals of Labor.”

The museum also operates a 45-minute excursion train south from Old Sacramento on weekends through end of September. Trains run on the hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fare is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 through 12 and free for children under 6.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Second and I streets in Old Sacramento. Admission is $3 for adults 17 and older; under 16 is free. Call (916) 323-9280.

• Sutter’s Fort — Relics of the Gold Rush and the story of life in Sacramento during the 1840s and ’50s.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 27th and L streets, Sacramento. Admission is $1 for adults, free for children 16 and under. On living history days and pioneer days on selected weekends, admission is $3 for people 17 and older, and $1 for children ages 6 through 15. Call (916) 445-4422.

• California State Indian Museum — History of American Indians in California located next to Sutter’s Fort at 2618 K St., Sacramento. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission is $1 for adults and free for children 16 and under. Call (916) 445-4422.

• Governor’s Mansion — Former home of California’s governors at 16th and H streets, Sacramento.

Public tours are available on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $1 for adults and free for people 16 and under. Call (916) 323-3047.