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Twenty-six (26) greater Sacramento area museums will be offering free admission, all day long, during the 12th Annual Sacramento Museum Day. This event is presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM), and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Sacramento Museum Day takes place Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (all participating museums close at 5 p.m., with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.).

Museum Day, a Sacramento cultural tradition, invites all members of the community to experience the Capital City’s incredible wealth of art, history, science and wildlife at numerous participating museums AT NO COST.

PARTICIPATING MUSEUMS for SACRAMENTO MUSEUM DAY 2010:

• Aerospace Museum of California*
• California Automobile Museum
• California Foundry History Museum
• California State Military Museum
• California State Capitol Museum
• The California Museum
• California State Indian Museum
• California State Railroad Museum
• Crocker Art Museum*
• Discovery Museum Science and Space Center*
• Explorit Science Center (Davis)
• Fairytale Town
• Folsom History Museum
• Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
• Heidrick Ag History Center (Woodland)
• Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
• Museum of Medical History
• Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
• Old Sacramento State Historic Park
• Sacramento Zoo
• Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
• Sacramento History Museum
• Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum
• Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
• Wells Fargo History Museum (Old Sacramento and Downtown locations).

*Please note that the Crocker Art Museum is under construction for its major expansion. Parking and gallery access will be limited and shuttle service will not be offered to the Crocker Art Museum. Also for Sacramento Museum Day 2010, shuttle service will not be offered to the Aerospace Museum or the Discover Museum Science and Space Center.

The Lady Washington, a replica of the first American vessel to reach the West Coast is on display through November 3, 2008. The sailing tours are booked up, but visitors can still come and view the ship and take a tour of the ship’s deck while it’s docked in Rio Linda. After the local visit, The Lady Washington will head to Antioch, where cruise tickets are still available.

Another part of the Discovery Museum is the Science & Space Center, located at 3615 Auburn Blvd. This center features themed exhibits including Bone Zone, Got Trees?, Gee Whiz Geology and Space Quest! Each exhibit runs six months at a time and is a perfect activity for children of all ages, who will also be able to utilize play spaces and costumes.

Science & Space Center Official Site

Learn more about the history of California’s Gold Rush and its connection to Sacramento at the Gold Rush History Center, part of the Discovery Museum. Located at 101 I St. in Old Sacramento, the Gold Rush History Center is free for children and members and is open most days between 10am and 5pm.

Gold Rush History Center Official Site

Indended to preserve, present and create California History, The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts brings history alive through the use of California State Archives and other collections. It’s also a great place to bring your children for inspiration. The Board of Trustees includes First Lady Maria Shriver, who helped to revitalize the museum. The Advisory Board includes notable historians, scholars, writers, teachers, artists and others. Visit The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts in the State Archives Building in Sacramento, CA, one block from the Capitol and enjoy 20,000 square feet of exhibits, facilities for lectures, performances, receptions and events. The museum is also home to the California Hall of Fame and Constitution Wall as well as many other current exhibits.

The California Museum Official Site

The Folsom Historical Society operates the Folsom History Museum, located in historic downtown Folsom, CA. Visitors will experience educational exhibits and a wonderful collection of artifacts and treasures from the settlement and development of the Folsom area. Exhibits focus on Folsom’s native people, gold discovery, mining camps, and various ethnic groups who contributed to the area. You can also learn more about the railroad, Folsom Prison and powerhouse. The museum is located at 823 Sutter St. and hours are 11-4 Tues through Sun.

Folsom History Museum Official Site

They City Cemetery dates back to 1849 and is the resting place of many remarkable Californians. It’s also the oldest existing cemetery in Sacramento, resembling a Victorian garden with pathways, grand avenues and a park-like setting. Explore history with free guided walking tours, led by Old City Cemetery Committee docents, or take a self-guided tour anytime.

City Cemetery Official Site

Over 170 classic cars are housed at the Towe Auto Museum, located at 2200 Front Street, next to the the Sacramento River and Downtown Sacramento. There are also exhibits displaying the history of the automobile and how our lives have been influenced by it. Types of cars include race cars, muscle cars, hot rods and early models. The museum has a gift shop and a 1950s style ice cream vignette where you can ejoy a soda between taking pictures with your favorite cars.

Towe Auto Museum Official Site

Located in McClellan Park, formerly McClellan Air Force Base, the Aerospace Museum of California saw over 100,000 visitors last year. On display is a unique collection of military and civilian aircraft, engine exhibit and educational programs. Visitors can also learn more about the history of the Air Force Base as well as aerospace companies, flying clubs and commercial aviation in the Sacramento area.

Aerospace Museum Official Site

Oficially named as the state’s official military museum by legislation signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2004, the California State Military Museum is located on Second St. in Old Sacramento. The museum was originally opened in 1991 and, today, houses over 30,000 artifacts. The museum also has a substantial library and archives.

State Military Museum Official Site