January – March 2025 Exhibitions & Events

JANUARY

“KAMALA HARRIS: THE FIRST BUT NOT THE LAST” OPENS IN “WOMEN INSPIRE”      
1/21/25

Explore the life and career of Vice President Kamala Harris up to her election as the United States’ first woman, first African American, and first Indian American vice president. “Kamala Harris: The First But Not The Last” is a new addition to the ongoing exhibit “Women Inspire.” For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/women-inspire.

TIME OF REMEMBRANCE FIELD TRIP PROGRAM                                                
1/27/25 – 3/21/25

Exploring citizenship, constitutionality and redress, the annual “Time of Remembrance” field trip program brings a pivotal chapter of history to life for students through the first-hand accounts of Japanese American docents who experienced life behind barbed wire during WWII. The program includes a guided tour of “Uprooted: An American Story,” an interactive classroom program, plus lesson plans, digital artifact kit and follow-up activities related to current issues. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/TOR

FEBRUARY

“OUR WAR TOO: WOMEN IN SERVICE”                                                                
2/4/25 – 5/4/25

“Our War Too: Women in Service” is a groundbreaking special exhibit honoring the nearly 350,000 American women who answered the call to serve their country during World War II. Made up of unique and colorful artifacts from The National World War II Museum’s collection, the exhibit explores these servicewomen’s efforts, struggles, and accomplishments, the impacts of which extend into the present day. Learn more or plan a visit at https://californiamuseum.org/our-war-too .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TIME OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY                                         
2/8/25

Presented by the Northern California Time of Remembrance Committee in partnership with the California Museum, this annual ceremony supports the Time of Remembrance field trip program. This year’s event, “Black Reparations/Reparative Justice,” features Dr. Cheryl Grills and Don Tamaki. Learn more or purchase tickets at https://californiamuseum.org/NCTOR25

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SELF-GUIDED TOUR                                                                   
2/1/25 – 2/28/25

Throughout February, the California Museum presents a self-guided Black History Month Tour—refreshed with new tour stops—highlighting African American contributions to California’s rich history. Focusing on themes of resilience, activism, democracy and community, this exploration of our signature and temporary exhibits highlights notable Black individuals, movements and organizations. The tour is designed for visitors of all ages to explore the Museum at their own pace. Digital and print maps with markers highlighting focal points are available with paid Museum admission. A digital copy of the map will be available starting February 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/blackhistory .

MARCH

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ADMISSION SPECIAL                                                           
3/1/25 – 3/31/25

Get two admissions for the price of one when you bring a guest to explore women’s history at the California Museum in March! Start by visiting the “Women Inspire” exhibit, then explore the rest of the Museum together (Hint: Inspiring women can be found in every exhibit!). Enter code WOMEN25 when you book advance tickets or mention Women’s History Month Special at admission. Additional details will be posted by March 1 at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/.

“VOICES: CHINESE WOMEN OF THE DELTA” FILM SCREENING                                          
3/22/25

On Saturday, March 22 from 1 to 4:30 pm, join the Locke Foundation Oral History Project and the Locke Prior Residents & Descendants Association at the California Museum for the premiere of the new documentary “Voices: Chinese Women of the Delta.” The film tells the stories of the women of the Delta who helped shape California’s rich Chinese American history. Advance registration is recommended. Learn more or purchase tickets at https://voicesfilmscreening.eventbrite.com .

ONGOING PROGRAMS

BANK OF AMERICA MUSEUMS ON US® FREE ADMISSION                                                                                         
1st weekend of every month

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/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-on-us-free-admission/.

FIELD TRIPS                                                                                                                
Through Spring 2025  

The California Museum is now booking seven unique in-person and online field trip experiences to inspire and educate students on California’s rich and diverse history and culture during the 2024-25 school year. Bring learning to life with a one-of-a-kind interactive learning experience, aligned with state standards. To learn more about each experience and how to book, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/field-trips-groups/.

DOCENT ON DUTY

Join docent Steve Sasaki in “Uprooted: An American Story” or docent Doreen Wong in “Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories” at designated times. Steve shares his family’s experiences of life in the incarceration camps and returning home after WWII, while Doreen dives into military history and her upbringing as a Chinese Californian. Their tours are free with the price of Museum admission. View the current Docent on Duty schedule at https://californiamuseum.org/visit/events-public-programs/docent-on-duty/.

FOURTH FRIDAYS

The California Museum invites all current California state employees to visit for free on the fourth Friday of each month from 12p.m.-3 p.m. Free admission will be provided to the first 100 state employees with a current state employee ID badge who visit the Museum during the 12-3 p.m. Fourth Friday timeframe. Walk-in only. Offer does not apply to advance ticket purchases. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/fourth-fridays/.

MUSEUMS FOR ALL

Organized by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this branded access program encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. Those receiving food assistance benefits can gain reduced $2 admission for themselves and up to three guests by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card. For more information, visit https://californiamuseum.org/visit/special-offers-promotions/museums-for-all-low-income-access/.

CONTINUING 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; and a fur cape owned by Ishi. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/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/exhibitions/signature/california-missions/.

“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 California 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/exhibitions/signature/gold-mountain/. 

“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/exhibitions/signature/health-happens-here/ for more information.

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/exhibitions/signature/unity-center/.

“UPROOTED: AN AMERICAN STORY”

Reopened in 2023, this fully rebuilt, technology-enhanced signature exhibit focuses on the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII and explores how they responded to their forced removal and incarceration, ranging from quiet endurance to heroic valor to conscientious resistance. The exhibit also highlights Japanese Americans’ ongoing efforts to ensure no other groups experience similar civil rights violations. All-new interactive displays, and never-before-exhibited artifacts from survivors supplement visitor favorites from the previous installation including a video introduction by George Takei and a replica barracks and guard tower. New features include a theater experience and an AI-based component allowing visitors to hold virtual conversations with three incarceration survivors. For details, visit https://californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/signature/uprooted/.

“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/exhibitions/signature/women-inspire/.