HISTORY COLLECTION
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The museum’s history collection and exhibits relate primarily to local and regional history, with the exception of the ANCIENT ARTS GALLERY.  

The main floor houses five unique history galleries.

Pioneer Room: Focuses upon the City of Stockton-- its founding in the late 1840s by Charles M. Weber, a German immigrant; the City’s Gold Rush past; its role during the California Grain Trade; and its development throughout much of the 20th century. 

California Room: Chronicles the early history of California--with special emphasis on the Stockton area. 

Jennie Hunter Rooms: Replicates four rooms from a late 1860s San Joaquin County farmhouse.

Holt Memorial Hall: Documents Stockton’s contributions to industrial history and featuring a Holt ‘75’ Caterpillar track-type tractor with a 1904 Haines-Houser combined harvester, both of which were developed in Stockton. 

ANCIENT ARTS GALLERY: Features Old and New World antiquities. The exhibits are composed of artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Rome, and Greece, as well as Pre-Columbian Mexico and Central America. This gallery is also where visitors may view the mummy of Iret-net Hor-irw, an Egyptian priest, who lived sometime during the period of 550 - 50 B.C.

 

 The lower level of the museum houses three history galleries.

STOREFRONTS GALLERY: Recreates the interiors of a number of businesses as they would have appeared in a turn-of-the-century California town and includes a Chinese Herb Shop, General Store, Blacksmith Shop, and Saloon. 

Vehicle Gallery: Features three vintage firefighting vehicles and serves as a tribute to the City of Stockton's Fire Department.  Also on display is Willy the Jeep.

American Indian Gallery: Features one of the most extensive collections of Native Californian basketry in the State.