North State Parent magazine

Butte County, CA

Bidwell Mansion; Chico.
Learn the area's rich history with a guided tour of the 26 room historic mansion & beautiful grounds. Daily tours, call for times. 525 Esplanade. (530) 895-6144; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460.

Bolt's Antique Tool Museum; Oroville.
Celebrates the tools that built our world with the largest known documented collection of hand tools in the United States.  Approx. 5,000 items on display. Open Tue-Sun, 11:45am-3:45pm. 1650 Broderick St. (530) 538-2528; www.boltsantiquetools.com.

Chico Air Museum; Chico.
Outdoor & indoor displays of interesting aviation artifacts, including 5 full-sized aircraft. Take the pilot's seat in the museum's Antonov biplane. Small children ride the P-51 pedal plane. Open Sat 10am-4pm. Located on the flightline of the Chico Municipal Airport. Free. (530) 345-6468; www.chicoairmuseum.org

Far West Heritage Association; Chico.
Includes the Chico Museum, Patrick Ranch, re-creation of a Taoist temple altar, rotating exhibits, programs & activities. Museum hours  Wed-Sun, 12-4pm (Sat 10am-5pm). Chico Circus Town exhibits through June 21, '09. Free. 141 Salem St. (530) 891-4336; www.farwestheritage.org.

Gold Nugget Museum & Paradise Depot Museum; Paradise.
Exhibits, living history events, Maidu Indian artifacts, 1904 train depot, blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, miner's cabin and covered bridge. GN Museum open 12-4pm, Wed-Sun; PD Museum open 12-4pm, Weekends & Holidays.  502 Pearson Rd. (530) 872-8722; www.goldnuggetmuseum.com.

Museum of Anthropology; Chico.
Exhibitions & events that promotes respect & appreciation for human cultural diversity. Free. Open Tue–Sat, 11am–3pm. CSU, Chico's Langdon Hall, 3rd Floor; Cherry & W. First Sts. (530) 898-5397; www.csuchico.edu/anth/museum.

National Yo-Yo Museum; Chico. 
Small world-class museum. Includes "Big Yo"- largest yo-yo in the world- & vintage toys display. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-5pm. Free. Located in Bird in Hand (store) at 320 Broadway. (530) 893-0545; www.nationalyoyo.org.

Pioneer Memorial Museum;Oroville. Closed Dec 15-Jan 31.
Impressive collection of artifacts & memorabilia preserving the memories of Califormia Pioneers, especially the Butte County area.  $2 ages 12+. 2332 Montgomery St. (530) 538-2497; www.cityoforoville.org/pioneermuseum.html.

Turtle Bay Museum; Redding.
Interactive multi-media exhibits & galleries at the heart of Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Includes historic re-creations, underwater fish viewing, self-guided exploration, outdoor experiences & play features. Winter hours (through February): Wed-Mon, 9am-5pm. (530) 243-8850; http://www.turtlebay.org.

Siskiyou County, CA

Sisson Museum/Mount Shasta Museum; Mt. Shasta.  Closed through March
Museum season opens in April. Also home of the Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery, open daily 8am to sundown. 1 N Old Stage Rd. (530) 926-5508; www.mountshastasissonmuseum.org.

Weed Historic Lumber Museum; Weed.
Logging & town memorabilia. Off season tours avail. by appt. Open late May-late Sept, 10am-5pm daily. 303 Gilman Ave. (530) 938-0550. www.snowcrest.net/whm.

Tehama County, CA

Gaumer's Mineral & Mining Museum; Red Bluff.
Educational & entertaining for visitors of all ages. Gold mining, fossils, Native American artifacts, rocks, crystals & fluorescent minerals. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Tours avail. 78 Belle Mill Rd.  (530)527-6166; www.gaumers.com.

Tehama County Museum; Tehama.
See artifacts that represent the cultural heritage of Tehama County & Northern California. Open Fri-Sun, 1-4pm. Free. 275 C St. (530) 384-2595; www.tehamamuseum.110mb.com.

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Updated December 30, 2008