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Thursday 11am - 4pm Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Chico History Museum

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Chico, CA
Chico History Museum

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Established in 1986, the Chico History Museum’s mission is to preserve the past, for the future. Visit us Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.

Housed in the former Carnegie Library building in Downtown Chico, the Chico Museum has hosted more than 100 exhibits since it opened in February 1986, celebrating the distinct heritage of Chico. Past exhibits have included prestigious traveling exhibits as well as those created by the Museum, focusing on local Chico and Butte County history. The Museum’s Carnegie and Patrick Galleries feature changing exhibits focusing on specific aspects of Chico’s past, present and the area’s unique characteristics. The Chico History Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 - 4:00. Holiday hours may vary.

10/19/2026

One week to go! Join California State Parks next Sunday for the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion community open house.

Learn how community input is informing the park’s recovery planning, explore the emerging alternatives, and share your thoughts with California State Parks staff and partners.

📅 Sunday, October 25 | 2:30–5 PM
📍 Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center, 525 Esplanade, Chico
⌚ Stop by when you can, or plan your visit around the opening presentation at 3 PM and brief closing
presentation at 4:30 PM
🎟️ Free to attend. RSVPs are welcome but not required.

Learn more and RSVP: www.ReimagineBidwellMansion.org

10/16/2026

Today marks the 56th annual Almond Bowl! 🏈

On this day in 1971, Chico High and Pleasant Valley squared up for the very first official cross-town rivalry game. Chico High took home that historic first win 55 years ago with a tight 10–7 score! Over the decades, it’s been an absolute battle. The current series standings are about as close as it gets: Chico at 26 wins and PV at 27 (with one tie and one cancellation in 2020).

What’s your favorite Almond Bowl memory?

Come visit the Chico History Museum this weekend to check out our newest exhibit featuring the rivalry between Chico High and PV to learn even more about the history of this cross-town football game. We are open today, Saturday, and Sunday 11 AM–4 PM.

10/15/2026

We’re OPEN! 🧡 Come visit us this weekend and make sure to ask our awesome docents what their favorite Chico history story is. We not only have cool historic Chico artifacts and memorabilia, we have some great stories to tell. You always learn something new at the museum!

Open Thursday–Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM. See you soon!

10/13/2026

How could Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park serve the community in the years ahead?

At the October 25 open house, learn about planning alternatives, perspectives from the Mechoopda Indian
Tribe of Chico Rancheria, and an updated roadmap for recovery and construction.

Visit staffed stations to ask questions and share feedback on the emerging vision, guiding principles, and
alternatives for the park.

📅 Sunday, October 25 | 2:30–5:00 p.m.
📍 Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center, 525 Esplanade, Chico
🎟️ Admission is free! RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

Learn more and RSVP: www.ReimagineBidwellMansion.org

10/08/2026

Downtown Chico's annual Art & W**e Walk is TOMORROW! 🥂

We are so excited to be participating in this fun annual event. We will be featuring live portraits by the incredible Loriesque Studio, local art for sale (including a special auction of two AJ prints!), and of course pouring delicious w**e from LaRocca Tasting Room. We hope to see you there! 🍷

Still need tickets? Head to downtownchico.com for tickets and more info! Please note that the museum will be open to the public during this time, so even if you're not w**e tasting, make sure to swing by!

09/30/2026

Get your tickets while they last!

Come learn all about the history of Chico Vecino, today known as The Avenues. We are hosting a very special fundraising event at the Red Tavern on Thursday, October 29th, where local historian Dave Nopel will share stories, photographs, and the fascinating history of one of Chico’s oldest neighborhoods, while you enjoy delicious small plates under the stars.

Tickets are VERY LIMITED and are selling out fast! Get yours today at www.chicohistorymuseum.org/events.

All proceeds will go directly to the Chico History Museum and our future exhibits and programs.

09/29/2026

There are still spots available for this Saturday’s lecture! Don’t miss it 🐟

Allen Harthorn, founder and executive director for the Friends of Butte Creek will present a history of Butte Creek through its geology, ethnology, and hydrology, as well as a history of Spring-Run Chinook salmon, and their populations and lifecycle.

Come learn how we can impact the future of these important fish!

📅 Saturday, October 3
🕙 10–11 AM
📍 Chico History Museum, 141 Salem St, Chico
🎟️ $10 ($9 for museum members)

Get your tickets today at chicohistorymuseum.org/events!

09/27/2026

Best of Chico voting ends soon! 🗳️

We are so incredibly honored to have been nominated along with so many other incredible local museums for Best Museum! 🧡 Head on over to vote.chicobestof.com/the-arts/best-museum and cast your vote!

Why vote for Chico History Museum?

🏛️ We tell stories of Chico’s rich history of course!
🏺 We preserve and share hundreds of local artifacts
🎒 We offer educational field trips for students and adults
🤝 We’re a great place to volunteer and get involved in your community
🎤 We host lectures, special events, and community programs
🌳 We’re deeply rooted in Chico and its history
🐟 And of course… we have a LOT of cool old stuff (we’ve got the Barth fish!!)

Thank you for supporting the Chico History Museum and helping us preserve Chico’s stories for generations to come! 🧡

09/26/2026

🐟 Don’t miss next week’s lecture on the Salmon of Butte Creek!

Come learn the significant and fascinating history of wild Chinook salmon in Butte Creek, and how we, as a community, can impact the future of these unique fish. Presented by Allen Harthorn, founder and executive director for the Friends of Butte Creek, Harthorn will present a history of Butte Creek through its geology, ethnology, and hydrology, as well as a history of Spring-Run Chinook salmon, and their populations and lifecycle.

The Friends of Butte Creek work to protect, restore, and enhance the natural habitats of wildlife in the Butte Creek Watershed. You can learn more or get involved at buttecreek.org.

📅 Saturday, October 3
🕙 10–11 AM
📍 Chico History Museum, 141 Salem St, Chico
🎟️ $10 ($9 for museum members)

Buy your tickets today at www.chicohistorymuseum.org/events

Address

141 Salem Street
Chico, CA
95928

Opening Hours

Thursday	11am - 4pm
Friday	11am - 4pm
Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Telephone

+15308914336

Website

http://www.chicohistorymuseum.org/

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