Untold Stories Of California’s Gold Rush Coming To Temecula

The following is a news release from the City of Temecula:

It has been more than 150 years since the Gold Rush galvanized California, “Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of California’s Gold Rush” a fascinating exhibition that presents a treasury of Gold Rush era events, images and documents. The traveling exhibit, hosted by Temecula Valley Museum and the Community Services Department of the City of Temecula, will open on Saturday, January 12th for a six week run at the Temecula Valley Museum.

Photo-mural panels present fascinating text and representations of primary documents, photographs, daguerreotypes, and Gold Rush era paintings. The exhibit examines California before the fateful discovery of gold in the American River, the frenzied rush to the gold fields overland and by sea, the experience of vigilante justice, life in the rowdy gold camps, Gold Rush era commerce and farming, and the shaping of California’s future.

The exhibition spotlights the remarkable stories of individual Californios, women, Native Americans, and adventurers and gold seekers who emigrated from all parts of the world during the tumultuous and colorful Gold Rush era, and examines the impact James Marshall’s discovery continues to have on all of California’s people, cultures, environment, politics and economy.

Local elements pertinent to Temecula Valley history will be added by Temecula Valley Museum to focus attention on the community’s personal experience of the turbulent era. Special family activities to be held in conjunction with the exhibit include:

• “Hearts of Gold” – Saturday, February 9th. 10am-12n. Our annual family Valentine craft event this year will feature special “Gold” Valentines in honor of the Gold Fever exhibit. Free!

• “Strike it Rich” – Saturday, February 23rd. 10am-1pm. Come learn about this still practiced craft in a hands-on gold panning workshop from the Temecula Valley Prospectors. Learn about the differences between modern gold panning and the methods depicted in the Gold Fever exhibit, and try your hand at striking it rich! Free!

The Temecula Valley Museum is located in Sam Hicks Monument Park at 28314 Mercedes Street, Temecula, CA. For more information, please call the Temecula Valley Museum at (951) 694-6450.

Admission to the museum is a $2 suggested donation.

For more info, visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org.

The exhibit runs Jan. 12 through Feb. 24.