This place has some icredible objects. They have the world's smallest basket! If I'm not mistaken, it can fit through the eye of a needle... I can't imagine the painstaking effort and time it would take to make that! There are many wonderful pictures of Native American life and ceremonies throughout the museum as well as beautifully beaded baskets woven around bottles and other objects. There are many tools on display such as bows, arrows, baskets, fire making tools, etc.The staff is very friendly. The museum is on the same grounds as Sutter's Fort so it's nice to take a leisurely stroll through Sutter's Fort and then stop at the State Indian Museum for a visit. Every year the museum has a celebration where members from the local tribes will come to the museum to dance, tell stories and you can try authentic Native American food. Which is delicious by the way!I definitely recommend stopping in here for a visit.
Well laid out , a good amount of information was available regarding the different tribes. The clothing and artifacts were great and seemed to be different that the last time we were there. Good place for the kids and adults alike
great day with my 3rd graders class, they all enjoyed the history. They have a little bit of everything there,
I loved this small museum. Although it is small it is worth a visit especially if you are visiting Sutters Fort at the same time.
If you enjoy learning about local history and culture, this is a "must see" museum. The California State Indian Museum has numerous amazing artifacts. There are beautiful baskets woven with feathers as decoration. There are many different types of baskets and other artifacts used by local tribes on display. The stories told at the exhibits are also very informative.
It does a good job in describing the lesser known Indian tribes of California. the California tribes were more scattered and smaller than the tribes in the Eastern US or on the Great Plains, so they have received less coverage in history books. Also, many of the California tribes were wiped out by disease when they attempted to join the missionaries around the mission system and many virtually lost their identity through assimilation with the settlers.
This is a very interesting place for anyone who wants to know about California's native people. The Indian Museum is on the grounds of Sutter's Fort, and it's well worth a visit, especially if you are taking a look at the fort.
Be sure to find out when it is open. A nice introduction to Indian basket art and other works. Bring the children and a lunch and spend some time in the near by park.
My bf and I stumbled across this museum and still talk about it fondly in memory. So much history and so much to learn! You leave knowing how to make Acorn Flour, great if you get lost in the Sac. Forrest. It is small, but we easily spent two fun hours reading every beautiful display. When you grow tired of visiting Capitol Building after Capitol Building and want to be reminded of the beauty of humanity, come here and be awed by the many talents and skills that the earliest settlers of this beautiful region developed. You will be so happy you did.
I used to live in Sacramento and I decided to be a tourist on my most recent visit. I apparently had overlooked this small but delightful museum. It is literally hidden in the shadows of Fort Sutter. You can plainly see it from the K-Street side. The walls are adorned with the best of Native American artwork and photos. The staff is very accommodating and the price is a bargain.