The Northern Mariposa County History Center, a privately owned 501c3, is a tiny gem of a museum, located in the historic gold rush town of Coulterville at the base of the John Muir Historic Route into Yosemite National Park (intersection of Hwys. 49 & 132). Open Wed. through Sunday, 10 am -4 pm, all year long, other than January, docents are always on hand to share the fascinating histories behind the displays in the three exhibit rooms as well as in the outdoor areas. In addition to needing volunteer docents, there are many other opportunities to volunteer, as the museum depends on its volunteers to remain open. The buildings themselves, initially built during the gold rush era have a fascinating history and need tender loving care. The museum offers periodic "Young John Muir" guided tours of the local area. Call 209.878.3015 or go to www.coultervillemuseum.org for more information about volunteer opportunities, donations and programs.
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This wonderful gem of a museum is tucked away in the tiny historic "gold rush" town of Coulterville that looks today much the same as it did in the 1800s! The museum is located in two historic buildings...one of the original hotels as well as an apothecary that doubled as the local Wells Fargo office. In addition to an array of great photographs from various decades since its founding in 1849, there are scale models of some of the original buildings as well as of mining and other equipment. There is a permanent John Muir Display, annually rotating displays, often with items loaned by founding families, clothing and personal items from the various ethnic groups that arrived in the search for gold and remained to become merchants, ranchers, loggers and builders of the first road into Yosemite.
A 2011 grant has allowed the museum to begin a new John Muir Route Docent Training program, with docents trained to lead educational tours to many of the areas Muir writes about in his book "My First Summer in the Sierra", that chronicled his journey and his growing love of the flora, fauna and natural beauty of the area.