Explore local archives and see historical treasures during the 15th annual Sacramento Archives Crawl at the California State Archives, California State Library, Sacramento Central Library, and Center for Sacramento History. It’s free and no ticket is needed!
During the Crawl, archives and special collections libraries from all over the Sacramento region set up exhibits at the four host archives in Downtown Sacramento to display items from their collections.
As a Crawler, you’ll tour among the four host sites and visit with archivists, see local history exhibits, learn about historic preservation and research, and go on behind-the-scenes tours the public doesn’t normally get to go on. Get your Crawl passports stamped and compete for fabulous prizes in our free raffles.
The Sacramento Archives Crawl is a National Archives Month event that celebrates archival institutions and their work. The goal of the Crawl is to educate the public on what archives are, what archivists do, and the importance of historical preservation and research.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT EACH SITE
Center for Sacramento History
- Collection vault tours and exhibits all day
- Performance by youth jazz band TNT from 11 am to 1 pm
The Center for Sacramento History is getting jazzy for this year’s Crawl! Highlights include an exhibit on the heyday of the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee featuring photos, posters, artifacts, and archival film footage, plus a special performance by youth jazz band TNT. Visitors can also enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of the collection vault every half hour and a special exhibit on Brandt Recording Studio and the record pressing process.
California State Archives
- Exhibits all day
- Tours at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
The California State Archives will commemorate the 175th anniversary of the archives and California’s statehood with an exhibit of original records documenting the history of the archives and its many moves over the decades. In addition, enjoy a peak at some Statehood Day ephemera from previous milestone celebrations. Archives Crawl attendees also enjoy free admission to the California Museum!
California State Library
- Tours at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, and 1 pm
Check out the California State Library’s special “Tiny Tours.” Guests can explore highlights such as Frank Van Sloan’s 1929 mural “The War Through the Ages,” a display of photographs from Johnny Cash’s San Quentin and Folsom Prison concerts, Maynard Dixon’s mural “Pageant of Traditions,” sculptures by Edward Field Sanford Jr., the library lobby, Gillis Hall, and circulation room.
Sacramento Central Library
- Author talk, 1 pm, Sacramento Public Library Galleria
Andrew McLeod and Eric Webb will discuss their new book, Lost Gold Rush Towns of Sacramento, and how a young Sacramento City used flood control to wipe its smaller neighbors off the map – and out of history! In these under-told stories, the authors will discuss the economic and social structures of those lost towns, the impact of changing roads and railways, and how history is often written to suit the victors.
- Archival film screening, all day, Sacramento Public Library Galleria
California Revealed will present an all-day archival film screening in the Sacramento Public Library Galleria. Sacramento on Film: Celebrating 15 Years of California Revealed features clips from amateur films, home movies, news film, and other documentary tidbits from our Sacramento area partner organizations, including the Center for Sacramento History, Lavender Library, the California State Railroad Museum, and others.
HOW & WHERE TO CRAWL
The Crawl takes place at the following archives in Downtown Sacramento:
- California State Archives (1020 O Street)
- California State Library (914 Capitol Mall)
- Center for Sacramento History (551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd)
- Sacramento Central Library (828 I Street)
You can start and end your Crawl at any site and go in any order you’d like. Free bus transportation between sites is provided. At any site, you can pick up a Crawl passport (get it stamped at three of the four locations for a fun set of commemorative coasters).
PARKING & SHUTTLE BUS
The Center for Sacramento History is the only host site with free parking in a dedicated lot and on the street. Other sites have paid street parking or paid lots. A free Crawl shuttle, operated by Amador Stage Lines, arrives at each host site approximately every 30 minutes and follows a clockwise route from the State Archives to the State Library, Central Library, and Center for Sacramento History.
This year’s participating institutions:
- Rocklin Historical Society
- Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park Root Cellar – Sacramento Genealogical Society
- Friends of California Archives Crocker Art Museum
- Sacramento River Delta Historical Society California Automobile Museum
- West Sacramento Historical Society
- Lavender Library, Archives, and Cultural Exchange Yolo County Archives
- Placer County Archive
- California State Parks Archives/Photo Archives Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library Folsom History
- Sacramento State
- Bay Area Electric Railroad Association Archives – Western Railway Museum
- U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame California Revealed
- California State Railroad Museum