Giving Back – Q&A with Tehama County Museum
Q&A with Tehama County Museum…
What is the mission of the Butte Environmental Council? The museum exists for the purpose of providing education, inspiration and aesthetic enrichment for all people through exhibition and explanation. The Museum’s goal is to educate and enlighten people about the history and cultural aspects of Tehama County.
When was the museum founded? In 1980 the Tehama County Museum foundation was created by a group of local citizens to preserve and exhibit artifacts that represent the cultural heritage of Tehama County.
How many visitors does the museum welcome each year? The Tehama County Museum averages approximately 750-1000 visitors per year.
What is your favorite artifact or display in the museum? The museum itself is our greatest and most prized artifact. It was constructed (1859) and is on the national registry of historic buildings. The Tehama County Museum offers a wide range of exhibits so it’s honestly difficult to have a favorite. Some of my favorites include the Chinese of Tehama County exhibit, the Tuscan Springs exhibit and the Luning’s Legacy: Tehama County’s First Surveyor. I love it when the museum has quilt displays and there is a beautiful exhibit of artwork by local artist Nelda Babb called the Birds of a Feather collection. There’s really something for everyone!
How does the museum help preserve local history? The Tehama County Museum collects, preserves, and shares local art, tools, historical artifacts and so much more. The museum has an inventory of every item in the collection as well as documentation about how the museum acquired each artifact and how that artifact relates to Tehama County. A proper inventory, index and method of storage of materials to prevent degradation is imperative. The museum shares this collection with the public through regular presentations, events, tours, and our annual history Rendezvous.
In one sentence, why should someone visit the Tehama County Museum? Tehama County residents and visitors to Tehama County should visit the Tehama County Museum to experience the sheer pleasure of stepping back in time and exploring Tehama County’s rich history with the guidance of enthusiastic docents who are available to answer questions and share local lore.
Approximately how many volunteers support the museum each year? At this time, all the work done at the Tehama County Museum, apart from an office manager who is contracted to work 10 hours a week and a part-time custodian, is done by less than 20 volunteers. These volunteers include docents who give tours on Saturdays, an archivist, and the board members. The volunteers do everything from ground maintenance, cleaning, advertising, public outreach, preservation, event planning, you name it, we do it. We are passionate about what we do, and we believe in the importance and significance of Tehama County’s rich history. If not for the work of volunteers, the museum would not exist and much of our history would be lost.
How can community members get involved? Community members can volunteer to help! Please contact the museum for specifics: Address: 275 C St, Tehama, CA 96090 Phone: 530-384-2595 Email: tcmuse@tehama.net or visit our website: https://tehamacountymuseum.com/contact/. The community can also donate money, become a member, and make a point of visiting the museum. The Tehama County Museum receives no state or government monies. We keep the doors open through the aid of grants, donations, memberships, and volunteer work.
Is there a special event or program coming up that you’d like people to know about? There a several presentations coming up over the summer months. Our big special event is the Tehama County History Keepers and Seekers Rendezvous being held on Saturday September 12, 2026, from 10-2 p.m. This is our big fundraiser for the year. We will have multiple booths, music, food, raffles, exhibits, and so much more. The goal is to make this a very special presentation for the 250th birthday of America and the 170th birthday of Tehama County. Please come and celebrate with us! I have attached a flyer with this questionnaire.
tehamacountymuseum.com
