Retrace the 1873 cross-country journey of Jules Tavernier and Paul Frenzeny – and the development of the U.S. – through their detailed and colorful engravings of the American West.
History & Culture
The story of one of California’s most beloved and feared animals – the grizzly bear.
Enter the optimistic era of “The New Negro Movement” through the photographs of African American photographer John Johnson. His ennobling portraits, taken from 1910-1925, reveal the dignity and hope of his friends and neighbors during this time of great promise for African Americans.
Iconic images of farm worker organizing efforts in the 1960s and 1970s highlight how individuals and groups come together to enact social change, and how photojournalism played an important role in shaping the public’s perceptions of organizing efforts.
Encourage political engagement and demystify voting terms and processes through this non-partisan, bilingual exhibit.
A visual history of the social, political, and judicial disenfranchisement of Chinese Californians — as well as moments of agency and resilience — before and after the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.
“From Earthquakes to Epidemics” explores the impacts of disasters and epidemics throughout California’s history through art, history, and science.
Gadgets Galore! invites visitors to engage with history and explore historic houses through the lenses of gadgets and technology.
Illuminating the hardships, joys, and lives of female pioneers, Her Side of the Story features first-person accounts from women who traveled by land or sea to settle in California.
Stories and photographs of contemporary migrant farm workers give visitors a reality check on the food they eat and the people who harvest it.
Contemporary Native and Indigenous printmakers’ diverse points of view and styles of artwork are revealed through captivating and vibrant prints.
Showcase California’s long tradition of activist printmaking through vibrant works from the multicultural print center Mission Grafica.
A visually arresting and powerful first-person history of one of the defining events of the 20th century through portraits and personal stories of Holocaust survivors.
Our beautiful online exhibits will help you engage with your visitors wherever they are.
Discover a remarkable, overlooked moment in U.S. history when people with disabilities took bold action to demand their rights.
Meet Susie Keef Smith and Lula Mae Graves, adventurous cousins who traversed and photographed the California desert in the 1920s with six guns and burros by their sides.
An authentic view of California Indian people, communities, and land with origins predating the arrival of colonizers. Dugan Aguilar’s photographs make visible the ties between that age-old origin and the contemporary existence of a “Native” California.
Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific reveals the deep and historic connections between people of African descent and the Pacific Ocean.
Explore the fascinating and largely unknown stories of pre-World War II tattooed women and how they’ve shaped tattoo culture in the Golden State.
Through contemporary works by Vietnamese artists and writers, “Textures of Remembrance” explores and reinterprets the impact of the official end of the Vietnam War on Vietnamese Americans today.
The journeys, hopes, dreams, and concerns of new U.S. citizens come to life through vivid color portraits and personal stories.
The Road I Call Home documents the powerful stories of 34 homeless people to build compassion for our unhoused neighbors.
A day in the life of 10 California families as they navigate the US’ complex health care system to care for children with special needs.
Through Ricardo Alvarado’s photographs, “Through My Father’s Eyes” shares a rare view into the daily lives of Filipino Americans in the post-World War II era.
Explore the unusual, icky, scandalous, uncomfortable, and surprising artifacts in your collection with Unmentionable (license for framework/graphics).
Personal correspondence reveals an intimate perspective on how war can shape a life, a family and a community.
Since the Gold Rush, Black Californians have been part and parcel of rural areas. These little-known stories of African American farmers, ranchers, and rural residents challenge myths about who lived in and cultivated rural California.
The sweeping story of how freedom and equality have grown in California, from the gold rush right up to the precarious post-9/11 era.
The complex and nuanced relationships between Yosemite’s natural wonders and its five million annual visitors and workers come to life in “Yosemite People.”