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January – March 2022 Exhibitions & Events
JANUARY
NEW YEAR’S DAY – CLOSED
1/1/22
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
1/2/22
Free admission for all current Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® and U.S. Trust® cardholders through Museums On Us® with valid photo ID. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/mou-2021.
THE GREEN BOOK: NAVIGATING TO FREEDOM
1/22/22
Celebrate African Americans’ spirit of resilience in segregated mid-century America during “The Green Book: Navigating to Freedom” on Sat., Jan. 22, 2022. Presented in partnership with the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum, festivities include self-guided tours of “The Negro Motorist Green Book” developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) with author Candacy Taylor and sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corporation, plus screenings of the 2019 Smithsonian Channel film “The Green Book: Guide to Freedom,” crafts and story time reading activities for kids, music and poetry performances and more. Reduced $5 general admission for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a complete event schedule or to buy advance admission starting at 10 a.m. on Mon., Jan. 10, go to https://californiamuseum.org/green-book-event.
FEBRUARY
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
2/5 & 2/6/22
Free admission for all current Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® and U.S. Trust® cardholders through Museums On Us® with valid photo ID. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/mou-2021.
MEET CANDACY TAYLOR
2/26/22
Meet Candacy Taylor, author of “Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America,” on Sat., Feb. 26, 2022. Taylor will discuss the 2022 young adult adaptation of her book and curation of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) traveling exhibition “The Negro Motorist Green Book” sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corporation at 2 p.m., then sign books for attendees at 3 p.m. Free with paid general admission ($8-10). For more information or to buy general admission starting at 10 a.m. on Mon., Feb. 7, 2022, visit https://californiamuseum.org/candacy.
THE NEGRO MOTORIST GREEN BOOK
THROUGH 2/27/22
Journey through stories of African American community, business innovation and creative self-determination in “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” This traveling exhibition offers visitors an immersive look at travel during the era of Jim Crow, revealing how the guide was an indispensable resource for the nation’s rising African American middle and business classes. Created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) in collaboration with curator Candacy Taylor, author of “Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America,” the exhibition is sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corporation. On view Dec. 4, 2021, through Feb. 27, 2022—exclusively in Northern California at the California Museum. Plan a visit or view related events at https://californiamuseum.org/green-book.
MARCH
BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION
3/5 & 3/6/22
Free admission for all current Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® and U.S. Trust® cardholders through Museums On Us® with valid photo ID. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/mou-2021.
CONTINUING ONSITE EXHIBITIONS:
CALIFORNIA INDIANS: THE FIRST PEOPLE
Initially developed under the direction of a Native Advisory Council in 2011, “California Indians: The First People” is the only exhibit of its kind in the state to present the unique contributions of California’s Native Peoples in their own voice. Through artifacts, original art, oral histories and an interactive language kiosk, the exhibit chronicles the histories and cultural legacies of over 100 tribes. Highlights include the Chipped Stone Bear, California’s official prehistoric artifact; baskets woven by Native artists; a fur cape owned by Ishi; and more. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/california-indians.
CALIFORNIA MISSIONS: A JOURNEY ALONG THE EL CAMINO REAL
Designed to correspond with State standards for 4th grade students, this exhibit includes rare artifacts from Missions across the state, such as iron tools handmade at Mission Santa Barbara, a marriage registry document written by Father Junípero Serra, an 1893 painting of Mission San Luis Rey on an original tile from that mission and more. In addition, oral history brings this pivotal chapter of history into the present through the modern perspective of Andrew A. Galvan, the first Native curator of Mission Dolores in San Francisco. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/california-missions.
HEALTH HAPPENS HERE
Learn how and why your zip code determines how long and how well you live in the multimedia exhibit “Health Happens Here.” Discover what Californians are doing to build health in communities across the state in this interactive journey through all the places and all the ways health happens in California. Through a series of high-tech games and interactive stations, visitors explore key factors that affect health beyond traditional diet and exercise while earning points that can be donated to one of 10 charities to make health happen for all Californians. Winner of the American Alliance of Museum’s “Excellence In Exhibition” award, visit https://californiamuseum.org/health-happens-here for more information.
GOLD MOUNTAIN: CHINESE CALIFORNIAN STORIES
Discover the overlooked but significant history and contributions of Chinese Californians from the Gold Rush to the present in “Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories.” This ongoing exhibit explores the history of Chinese immigrants who came to California in search of a better life and helped build the modern state while triumphing over racism and other obstacles with ingenuity and perseverance. In their stories, visitors will see the contributions Chinese Americans have made to our state’s economy, governance and culture. For more information, go to https://californiamuseum.org/gold-mountain.
UNITY CENTER AT CALIFORNIA MUSEUM
Initiated in 1999 in response to a series of Northern California hate crimes and launched in 2017, the Unity Center at the California Museum celebrates the state’s diverse people, customs and cultures. Featuring multimedia exhibits exploring significant chapters of California’s civil rights history and a state-of-the-art classroom, the interactive 4,000 sq. ft. gallery encourages visitors to find common ground while embracing their own individuality. Through advocacy tools and engaging educational programs, visitors are empowered to be Unity Activists, exercising their rights and standing up for the rights of others – regardless of belief, background, identity or gender. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/unity-center.
UPROOTED! JAPANESE AMERICANS DURING WWII
Highlighting members of the Sacramento Japanese American community, this exhibit presents the history of immigration and mass incarceration during World War II, as well as their successful fight for redress for the loss of constitutional rights. Featuring replica barracks and guard tower, the display includes rare artifacts along with a video introduction by George Takei, an interactive map of the incarceration sites and oral history video kiosks. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/uprooted-japanese-americans-during-wwii.
WOMEN INSPIRE: CALIFORNIA WOMEN CHANGING OUR WORLD
Developed in collaboration with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and a statewide advisory council of historians, this all-new long-term signature exhibit features the stories of Golden State women from the 1700s to present who inspire change and reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/women-inspire.
FREE ONLINE EXHIBITIONS:
CALIFORNIA HALL OF FAME
This all-new website explores the inspirational lives of California Hall of Fame’s 14th class inducted by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Oct. 12, 2021. Highlights include virtual exhibitions and tribute videos on Ruth Asawa, Jerry Garcia, Larry Itliong, Phyllis Lyon, Del Martin and Ritchie Valens, along with a replay of the 14th class virtual induction and more. For more information or to take a self-guided virtual tour, visit https://cahalloffame.org.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS 2020
Launched in November 2020, this online exhibit features original works by California artists Francisco Franco, John S. Huerta, Oscar Magallanes, David Lozeau and Rob-O of I Love Sugar Skulls exploring the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones each year on November 1 and 2, which has evolved from the Aztecs to modern-day Mexico and California. For details or related programs, go to https://californiamuseum.org/dotd-2020.
FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT: 100 YEARS OF WOMEN VOTING
Featuring artifacts, historic photographs and interactive activities, this online exhibit chronicles women’s struggle for the right to the vote from the mid-19th century to the ratification of the 19th Amendment on Aug. 26, 1920, drawing parallels to the ongoing fight for women’s equality that continues today. Developed in collaboration with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who served as California’s representative on the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission, the project launched on Aug. 26. 2020, marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s ratification. For details or to view, go to https://californiamuseum.org/womens-vote-100-online.
INDOMITABLE: THE STORY OF TOMMY KONO
Explore the life and legacy of legendary weightlifter Tommy Kono (1930-2016) in this all-new online exhibit presented in partnership with Google Arts and Culture for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Through historic photographs, video clips and artifact images, the virtual presentation chronicles the journey of the Sacramento native Japanese American who began weightlifting while incarcerated at Tule Lake and went on to set world records in four weight classes, becoming one of the greatest Olympic weightlifters of all time. For more information, go to https://californiamuseum.org/tommy-kono.
KOKORO: THE STORY OF SACRAMENTO’S LOST JAPANTOWN
Explore the experiences of local Japanese Americans in the early 20th century in the online version of “Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento’s Lost Japantown.” Featuring photographs from the private collections of community members, the exhibit documents the memories of a once-thriving community devastated first by forced removal during WWII and again by redevelopment in the 1960s. Developed in partnership with former residents of the lost neighborhood and author of “Sacramento’s Historic Japantown” Kevin Wildie, “Kokoro” was originally presented as an onsite exhibit in 2017 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, the presidential decree that led to the unconstitutional incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans. For more information or to view, go to https://californiamuseum.org/kokoro.
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: FIRST, BUT NOT LAST
Explore the life and career of Vice President Kamala Harris in this new online exhibit launched on the eve of her historic inauguration as the United States’ first woman, first African American and first Indian American Vice President. Developed in partnership with the California State Archives, the virtual presentation documents the rise of the California native from her childhood in Oakland growing up as the daughter of immigrants to becoming the highest-ranking female elected official in American history. For more information or to view, go to https://californiamuseum.org/kamala.
WOMEN INSPIRE: CALIFORNIA WOMEN CHANGING OUR WORLD
Discover the stories of selected Golden State women from the 1700s to the present who inspire change and reflection on the ongoing struggle for equality in the online version of “Women Inspire: California Women Changing Our World.” Developed in collaboration with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the online Google Arts and Culture project launched August 18, 2020—100 years to the day Tennessee became the 36th and final state to ratify the amendment granting the women’s vote. For more information or to view, go to https://californiamuseum.org/wi-online.