Angels Camp Museum — Attraction in Angels Camp

Angels Camp Museum focuses on local history (including Calaveras County as many small-town museums have to do), and is very well presented. The crown jewel in my opinion is (of course) drafts that led to Mark Twain's first published fiction. Even though they are in print published after Twain's death, not manuscripts, learning the progression that shaped the writer's career gave me tingles. (Unless you are a Twain scholar, I bet you don't know this history.)

The most exciting collection, of course, is about the Frog Jump Jubilee in commemoration of the tall story retold by the world-famous writer. (Or it could be his invention. Who knows.) You may have watched the CBS documentary, read about it in national newspapers, or any number of online places. But seeing physical artifacts about this extremely local yet global sensation is always a thrill. Prominent on display are the cage that held and box that transported the Republic of China (Taiwan) entry to the event in the 50's.

While the staff in the main hall, now shared with the gift shop as well as relocated state tourist bureau office, is too busy to conduct guided tour (but happy to answer questions), you can ask for tours in the other two buildings. Boy, do they tell stories! (Who knew that the word “hippie” was rooted in Chinese laborers’ opium use? Although this is not really local, and whether this is even true, damn the British!) Did you know that San Francisco’s first electricity power line came from waterwheel on display here? I had known Michelson’s interferometer and its importance in the development of modern physics since college years, but knew nothing about its inventor’s local root.

On top of all that, artifacts from the newly closed Murphys Museum are currently stored here. Be sure to ask for a tour of the condensed room! (Should I spoil the connection with one iconic Beatles moment? If you are from the Bay Area, be prepared to be surprised by many connections outside of San Francisco's role as financial center of the Gold Rush.) And of course, no self-respecting gold country museum would be short of a gold panning station where you - and your young ones, can extract shinier bits from bone-chilling water troughs.

All in all, this museum can provide solid entertainment for two to four hours. Not a bad...

Do NOT miss this collection of museums when in the Angels Camp/Sonora CA area! It is a mix of historical museums about the area, the Calaveras County - Mark Twain connection, area mining, agriculture, transportation, Gold Rush society and more. Kids and adults will learn a lot here and have lingering questions answered, like, "How big were covered wagons?", or, " What does a blacksmith do", or "Why is Mark Twain a big part of history in nowhere's-ville California?". You'll have fun and gain a lot of knowledge about white people in the mania of the Gold Rush era.

Two negatives should be addressed. The first is lack of accessibility. The museum's staff has made an effort to make the upper and lower areas more accessible to the mobility challenged and wheelchairs, like allowing vehicles to drive up next to each building. But the very steep, unlevel terrain can be difficult, more for walkers/canes even than a pushed wheelchair.

The 2nd issue is bothersome. The museum IS about Gold Rush miners and settlers, I admit. BUT, they should cover the Native American history more, even if just providing details about the interactions between the Natives and the miners and settlers. The damage white convergence caused the Natives in their everyday lives, and any benefits gained, should definitely...

Our museum is truly a hidden gem in the Motherlide gold country. History comes alive as you learn about Mark Twain's 88 days here and how he made the jumping frog famous. The new Frog Jump exhibit is fantastic that will certainly cause you to start searching for a champion jumper to compete in the annual Frog Jump contest here in May at the Fairgrounds. You can almost hear the wagons and buggies coming across the mountain passes with supplies for the Miner's or massive logs being hauled to build the gold mining towns, as you stroll through the historic carriage house. Finally, in the gemstone and mining exhibit, you learn all about this area's rich history of gold discovery and the almost impossible task of extracting gold from the Motherload quartz vein that runs right through our area or the less efficient method of panning or sluesing for gold in our creeks and streams.

The Angels museum is a life changing experience for all ages and one you won't want to miss to truly appreciate the rich history of this beautiful area...