placerville historical museum

On my way to Coloma, I stop for a walk in historical downtown Placerville. I like it. Yes, there is commerce (how else would they survive?) but nothing like the trashy touristy Virginia city with the Made in China plastic dancing dolls and Camel Races. It's mostly antiques, some art, some restaurants (see separate review of my lunch place, the Hay Day Cafe). As I stroll along historical buildings in downtown Placerville I run into the Placerville Historical Museum and in I go. I find a miniature museum and a knowledgeable and friendly docent who immediately starts giving me the tour. Located in a former soda making factory (steam machines), the museum has few exhibits on two floors. As often is the case, the talk with the docent is much more interesting than the exhibits. The most interesting item I find is the prototype of an index typewriter: a sophisticated contraption which somehow manages to produce letters on the blank page! It's free, they ask for a modest donation "to maintain the building". I pick up a brochure for the El Dorado County Historical Museum, also in Placerville, and am on my way.

Two small rooms of diverse artifacts describing the mining and cultural history of the area. Closest free public parking are two lots to the east on either side of Main Street. (On a downtown map, this museum is listed at the EDC Historical Society Museum, although there is another museum of that name near the Fairgrounds?!)

Unfortunately, this was a very strange stop for us. The volunteer(elderly lady) was very controlling and asked if we ever explored the area? I stated that in my childhood I had, but we were introducing our kids to the area...the volunteer said, " we don't care about you, we want to hear from the kids". Then we couldn't look at one artifact without her going off on some lame and obvious rant about each item. She was acting like we were born yesterday! Finally, we got to go to upstairs and on coming back down got quizzed on our tour. The volunteer, who had called my son a good boy earlier, asked if he was male or female. We were shocked as we have twins, an obvious boy and a girls. Our reaction was to cuss the lady out for her ignorance, which seemed to be prompted by the fact that my son was due for a haircut. We were not treated well and will not return!

The museum has a professional staff and a number of volunteers who keep this collection of historical artifacts, both antique and 20th Century, related to El Dorado County. I take visitors their probably every three or four years. Always something new for me to see.

Small Museum, but packed with things of interest from the local area. Good place to check out and stretch your legs after a long drive. Can be really hot here in the middle of summer.

Greaty collection of gold rush memorabilia. The research staff is the best, and are indexing their treasures.

If you are just wandering around Placerville, this is worth seeing, especially since its free! Don't miss the upstairs part of this little museum (which I missed the first two times I stopped in).

great collection of items from around Placerville, some of which we have not swen in other gold town museums. Definitely worth a trip!

This is now my home town. Aka " hangtown" complete with the hanging dummy. Close to Sutters mill so there is plenty of mining history and why not wash it down with a local wine. Historic building.

Lots of great displays of local history. Everyone we've taken there has been really impressed. The people there are great sources of information about local history and can help you find answers to your history questions.

En se rendant au lac Tahoe, nous nous sommes arrétés à Placerville. Nous avons vu "le centre historique" et la " bell tower" . Surtout nous sommes entrés dans ce tout petit musée gratuit. Ce musée renferme tout un tas d'objets datant de la ruée sur l'or. Il est tenu par un homme passionné qui n'est pas avare de connaissances, mais dont l'accent peut déconcerter certains non anglophones.