History
1945
William G. Daniels, a local carpenter, believed the community deserved a special place that recognized and preserved regional history and culture for future generations. He was the founder and first President of the Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society.
1951
Mr. Daniels bought three acres and contructed The Angels Camp Museum, which opened on May 6, 1951, in partnership with the City of Angels Camp, The Lions Club, and The Angels Camp Boosters Club. The Museum's 3-acre property is located on the historic Angels Quartz Mine site and part of China Gulch, where the 49ers prospected for Gold; the Mother Lode seam of Gold runs directly under the property.
1969
The City of Angels Camp supplemented the Museum's annual income from the general fund to expand its future growth and development.
1990
The Pole Barn, a second building, is constructed in the traditional style of historical times. Today it's renamed Mining & Ranching Building.
2005
The Carriage House, a third building, is constructed to house the extensive carriage collection.
2006
The City of Angels Camp commissioned operations, practices, and potential surveys of the Museum to explore ways to increase tourism, expand revenue potential, and streamline processes.
2007
The Angels Camp City Council established the Museum Commission, five commissioners, and an Administrator to plan the Museum's future growth. The Museum joined two professional museum organizations: museum association & museum association.
2008
The Angels Camp Museum Foundation formed a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization to facilitate fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and program development for the Angels Camp Museum. The Gold Panning Experience opened which is an interactive opportunity for all ages. A Community Volunteer program began to facilitate opportunities for residents to contribute their time and experience to the Museum. The Museum began cataloging collections and artifacts with state-of-the-art software.
2010
The Mark Twain exhibit opened which is the Museum's first professional exhibit.
2011
The Angels Camp Museum Foundation started two successful programs that attracted donations and funds for the Museum:
The Native Sons of the Golden West, Placerville Parlor No. 9, loaned the Downing & Sons stage coach #512, built between 1848 and 1858. The stagecoach ran between Carson City, Nevada, and Placerville, California. Mark Twain mentions the coach in his novel, Roughing It.
The Commission adopted the Museum's Vision and Guiding Principles: To be the premier Museum on California Gold Country History.
2012
An Education Coordinator developed the Museum's school tours, community outreach, and docent volunteer program.
2013
The Museum began reorganizing the exhibits and opening Museum space to unique events for broader exposure, publicity, and marketing.
2015
The Museum opened a community-funded exhibit: Gold is where you find it: The Rush to Angels Camp. The presentation highlighted immigration, life, and the impact of Chinese people in Angels Camp during the Gold Rush. As a result, attendance is nearly triple the size of the town.
2016
The Museum opened the Medicine in the Gold Rush exhibit.
In addition, programming includes a special new exhibit with:
2017
The Angels Camp Museum received the Tri-County Best Art Gallery Award for a 3rd year!
2018
Local historians and archivists raise unrestricted funds for the Museum with public tours, dinners, and historical presentations of the Utica Mansion.
2020
The Calaveras County Visitors Bureau is relocated within The Angels Camp Museum to make it the first stop for visitors to Calaveras County, the Sierra foothills, and Angels Camp.
For more about the museum: https://www.gocalaveras.com/business/attractions/angels-camp-museum-gift-shop/
William G. Daniels, a local carpenter, believed the community deserved a special place that recognized and preserved regional history and culture for future generations. He was the founder and first President of the Calaveras Gem & Mineral Society.
1951
Mr. Daniels bought three acres and contructed The Angels Camp Museum, which opened on May 6, 1951, in partnership with the City of Angels Camp, The Lions Club, and The Angels Camp Boosters Club. The Museum's 3-acre property is located on the historic Angels Quartz Mine site and part of China Gulch, where the 49ers prospected for Gold; the Mother Lode seam of Gold runs directly under the property.
1969
The City of Angels Camp supplemented the Museum's annual income from the general fund to expand its future growth and development.
1990
The Pole Barn, a second building, is constructed in the traditional style of historical times. Today it's renamed Mining & Ranching Building.
2005
The Carriage House, a third building, is constructed to house the extensive carriage collection.
2006
The City of Angels Camp commissioned operations, practices, and potential surveys of the Museum to explore ways to increase tourism, expand revenue potential, and streamline processes.
2007
The Angels Camp City Council established the Museum Commission, five commissioners, and an Administrator to plan the Museum's future growth. The Museum joined two professional museum organizations: museum association & museum association.
2008
The Angels Camp Museum Foundation formed a 501(c)3 non-profit, tax-exempt organization to facilitate fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and program development for the Angels Camp Museum. The Gold Panning Experience opened which is an interactive opportunity for all ages. A Community Volunteer program began to facilitate opportunities for residents to contribute their time and experience to the Museum. The Museum began cataloging collections and artifacts with state-of-the-art software.
2010
The Mark Twain exhibit opened which is the Museum's first professional exhibit.
2011
The Angels Camp Museum Foundation started two successful programs that attracted donations and funds for the Museum:
- The Friends of the Museum membership.
- The Annual Lecture Series.
- A print exhibit
- A textile exhibit
- A carpenter exhibit
The Native Sons of the Golden West, Placerville Parlor No. 9, loaned the Downing & Sons stage coach #512, built between 1848 and 1858. The stagecoach ran between Carson City, Nevada, and Placerville, California. Mark Twain mentions the coach in his novel, Roughing It.
The Commission adopted the Museum's Vision and Guiding Principles: To be the premier Museum on California Gold Country History.
2012
An Education Coordinator developed the Museum's school tours, community outreach, and docent volunteer program.
2013
The Museum began reorganizing the exhibits and opening Museum space to unique events for broader exposure, publicity, and marketing.
2015
The Museum opened a community-funded exhibit: Gold is where you find it: The Rush to Angels Camp. The presentation highlighted immigration, life, and the impact of Chinese people in Angels Camp during the Gold Rush. As a result, attendance is nearly triple the size of the town.
2016
The Museum opened the Medicine in the Gold Rush exhibit.
In addition, programming includes a special new exhibit with:
- Tree trek guided tours
- Educational lectures
- Family-focused festivals
- Preschool storytime programs
- Summer camp sessions
- Living history days
- Exhibit opening receptions
2017
The Angels Camp Museum received the Tri-County Best Art Gallery Award for a 3rd year!
2018
Local historians and archivists raise unrestricted funds for the Museum with public tours, dinners, and historical presentations of the Utica Mansion.
2020
The Calaveras County Visitors Bureau is relocated within The Angels Camp Museum to make it the first stop for visitors to Calaveras County, the Sierra foothills, and Angels Camp.
For more about the museum: https://www.gocalaveras.com/business/attractions/angels-camp-museum-gift-shop/