Placer County Museums

In 1854, Auburn’s first public school was officially organized. It moved into various buildings in Auburn until 1866 when the School Committee purchased a lot on Broad Street, now Lincoln Way. Auburn citizens raised over $1,700 to construct the schoolhouse but by 1874, a new larger schoolhouse was built to accommodate the growing number of students. The buildings stood side by side where students would receive an education up to the eighth grade.

By 1914 a new schoolhouse was needed to replace the ageing buildings and the following year, work began on the grand structure. It was designed by architect W. H. Weeks and cost $47,000 to construct which included decorative features made by the Gladding McBean Company of Lincoln.

In the 1980s as Auburn’s population continued to grow, another new school was built in the Skyridge area of Auburn and the former historic structure became the Auburn Civic Center. Today, inside City Hall a restored historic classroom is preserved and named in honor of Benton Welty, the school’s principal from 1923-1943.

On Saturday, July 11th the Heritage Trail will be in Auburn where visitors can visit the historic Benton Welty Schoolroom from 10am to 4pm and see firsthand the work of the Placer County Historical Society to bring this important Auburn landmark to life. The trail on Saturday will also welcome travelers to the Bernhard Museum where there is a full day planned of free family friendly activities.

To learn more placer.ca.gov/7375/Heritage-Trail

Photo: Auburn Grammar School. Circa 1935. Placer County Museums collection.

This week the Heritage Trail will be in Auburn with two dynamite museums to visit. Swing by the Bernhard Museum and the Benton Welty Schoolroom for all kinds of fun. Details below!

Bernhard Museum 10 AM to 4 PM
291 Auburn Folsom Rd., Auburn

530-889-6500

Dive into family-friendly living history fun! Explore the Bernhard family’s restored 19th century Victorian farmhouse. Learn about daily life from experienced docents, view authentic period wagons, and handle 19th century artifacts. Then, roll up your sleeves and get to work! Build your own replica fruit crate, try washing clothes by hand, or head inside to make your own vintage toys. Don’t forget to try a cup of ice cream.

Benton Welty Schoolroom 10 AM to 4 PM
1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn City Hall

The Benton Welty Historic Classroom is housed in the old Auburn Grammar School, now City Hall. Join us for a rare sense of time-gone-by in this little gem of our past. See how students experienced a typical school day in the days before computers and electronics. Slate boards and chalk will let visitors share the experience. Dip a quill pen in an inkwell and practice your handwriting the old-fashioned way. Auburn Grammar School was built in 1915. Parking is behind the building.

For more details, visit placer.ca.gov/7375/Heritage-Trail

This Saturday, June 20th, The Heritage Trail will be celebrating history from Rocklin to Penryn! Join us at three museums for Heritage Trail events and special exhibits. All museums and events are FREE!

Loomis Basin Historical Society @ Loomis Library & Community Learning Center 10AM to 4 PM
6050 Library Dr., Loomis

View photos and exhibits on the pioneers, Chinatowns, schoolhouses, and fruit sheds of the Loomis Basin. Watch a video featuring historical footage of fruit packing in the 1930s. See a special display on Japanese American families, presented by the Still Standing Guard Group. Find your own family’s history in the genealogy book collection with help from the Placer County Genealogical Society.

Griffith Quarry Museum 8 AM to Noon
Corner of Taylor and Rock Springs Roads, Penryn

Explore exhibits on granite quarrying, the Penryn Granite Works business, the history of Penryn, and the Griffith Family. Visitors can take a guided tour of the historic Quarry Park, offered at 8:30 am, or walk the grounds throughout the day by following maps and interpretive signs provided.

Rocklin History Museum 10 AM to 4 PM
3895 Rocklin Rd., Rocklin

Home of Rocks, Rails and Ranches. View exhibits featuring Rocklin’s pioneer families developing the local granite quarrying industry; building and working the Transcontinental Railroad; and dairy and orchard farming and ranching. Current temporary exhibit features Rocklin at Play: Sports and Recreation Through The Years - including the 17 years the 49ers summer training camp was at Sierra College Campus, Rocklin.
Experience a special granite splitting demonstration on Saturday, June 20th at 11:00 a.m.

For all the detials about all the participating museums, check out the list at https://www.placer.ca.gov/7375/Heritage-Trail