News and Information

Annual Meeting at River Bend Manor (January 2012)

Joint meeting with the Bryte and Broderick Community Action Network. see the photos

New Office Space for WSHS

Bryte and Broderick Community Action Network (BBCAN) and the West Sacramento Historical Society (WSHS) have entered into an agreement with Yolo County Housing for a shared office space at River Bend Manor - 664 Cummins Way, West Sacramento (map). This means a public office presence for BBCAN in the community and, for WSHS, an opportunity to share space with a collaborative partner following closure of the WSHS office at Jefferson and Merkley. The move will take place beginning November 1. The two organizations plan to present programs and volunteer opportunities at River Bend Manor, as well as activities that support the senior residents. Watch for more information to come. .

Athletes of West Sacramento Exhibit

The West Sacramento Historical Society partnered with the City of West Sacramento, Parks and Recreation Department and The Photo Documentation Project to collect and develop photographs of athletes who achieved success in their sport and also to recognize people who helped the athletes succeed. An exhibit of these photographs opened on January 20 with a celebration.. Read about it and see the photos here.

WSHS Museum & Visitors Center closed September 30, 2009

After much discussion and exploration of options, the Board of WSHS Officers voted to close the former location of the Society's Museum & Visitors Center on Sept. 30, 2009. All historical materials were inventoried, packed according to specific archival procedures and stored. The Society will continue to meet and plan more outreach exhibits and community events. WSHS will continue to support and manage displays of WS history in schools, businesses and public places. For information call 916-374-1849.

Anniversary Celebration

The West Sacramento Historical Society on September 19, 2010 held a celebration of their 17th anniversary of the formation for the society and to raise funds for the History Gallery located in the new West Sacramento Community Center.
Read about it and see the photos here.

News Article

Article in N Magazine May 2010

The First State Registered Historical Landmark Unveiling for the First Pacific Coast Salmon Cannery

On April 1, 2009 (Wednesday), the unveiling ceremony of the FIRST West Sacramento State Registered Historical Landmark for Hapgood, Hume, and Company - the FIRST Pacific Coast Salmon Cannery - will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  at River Walk Park in the Broderick district of West Sacramento.

In 1864, Hapgood, Hume, and Company founded California's first salmon cannery in Washington (now West Sacramento) on a barge moored on the banks of the Sacramento River.  The small canning operation was the beginning of the salmon canning industry on the West Coast.  Salmon caught in the Sacramento River were canned by the cooker-boiler method, rather than the salt preservation method commonly used at that time.  The new process allowed for wider markets and lower prices.     read more...

WSHS Opens Temporary Offices

The Museum and Historical Society opened a temporary office at 849 Jefferson, suite 104, West Sacramento (next to LaBou) in 2009. WSHS is looking forward to the opening of the new West Sacramento Community Center, which will include a history gallery managed by WSHS.

Invitation to Classroom Teachers

The West Sacramento Historical Society invites you to bring your class for a free docent led tour of this interesting museum of local history. Your class will learn what makes West Sacramento unique, using the museum exhibits as teaching aids. Call Jeri Wingfield at 371-7678, or Jim Brewer at 617-2288 to schedule your tour. If transportation costs are a problem, local sponsors plan to make your class's trip a reality. Please schedule as soon as possible to ensure that your class can be accommodated during this special offer.

Our Journey series

The Latino exhibition, "Our Journey," is the second in a series of future exhibitions at the museum highlighting the various cultures comprising West Sacramento. The first such exhibition focused on "The Sikhs of West Sacramento." This new display will?explore and honor the richness of the Latino community in West Sacramento by identifying Latino families, individuals, social organizations and businesses that help define our community. "Why did Latino's settle in West Sacramento?" "Did they immigrate from Mexico and Central America or did they immigrate from other states during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression periods?" "How many generations of families remain here?" These and other questions will be answered in this exhibition which opens in early May 2008.

WSHS Featured on Television

The West Sacramento Historical Society participated in the first half of "Live Wire" - Sacramento's public access television station- on November 14, 2007 at 4:30 pm. WSHS was invited back to the program to discuss their exhibit "The Sikhs of West Sacramento" on January 16, 2008. See photos of the TV program here

California Museum Month

Earlier this year, the state senate passed a resolution by Senator Alan Lowenthal of Long Beach that declared May 2007 as California Museum Month. The resolution declares that California is home to over 1,300 museums that are located in every county and region throughout the state and that serve over 26 million visitors annually. To read SCR 5 in its entirety, click here.

The California Association of Museums invites all museums, museum service organizations, California residents, and local governments to use this milestone to recognize and celebrate the contributions of California museums as they serve the state.

Opening the Safe

On Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. the West Sacramento Historical Society opened the 1920's-1930's safe to see what's in it. Read about it here and see photos and press coverage here

See also archived press releases.