Did you know? ...there are 3 acres of museum exhibits behind what you see here!
History MuseumAngels Camp Museum is the premier local history museum in Northern California. Located on a 3-acre site of the historic Angels Quartz Mine, the museum dedicates collections to inspire understanding of the gold country history of Angels Camp and the Mother Lode region. We create opportunities for learning and discovery, and bring to life the extraordinary stories of our country’s past.
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Museum ExhibitsHome to one of the largest collections of carriages and wagons in the nation, Angels Camp Museum and carriage house is an international destination. Museum visitors can stroll through the beautifully landscaped historical park to explore extensive indoor and outdoor museum exhibits including local and gold rush history, Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee, Medicine in the Gold Rush, as well as gem, mineral, ranching and artisan exhibits. Easily, one of the best gold rush museums in California, with an extensive collection of historical exhibits spanning 3 acres.
Continuing through the museum, visitors can also view two steam traction engines and exhibits highlighting mining equipment such as an overshot waterwheel in its original location, a hydraulic monitor, drills, ore carts and even a working model of a famous stamp mill. Bring your lunch and enjoy a picnic under native oak trees of China Gulch where the ’49ers prospected for gold. |
Stop by the gift shop for items crafted by local artisans, books about the gold rush, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs including a copy of Mark Twain’s notable story ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.’
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Museum HoursOpen Daily | 7 Days a Week | 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Last entry 3:00 PM to allow time to tour the museum. Walk the beautiful grounds | Discover three buildings of historical exhibits. Try panning for gold | Shop at the museum’s gift shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Scavenger hunts with prizes offered to kids of all ages! |
Museum AdmissionAdults $15 | Children (6-17) $10 | Children (Under 5) Free Calaveras County residents, active duty military, veterans, and seniors get a discount! Be sure to ask when you check in. Group tours available, please call the museum for reservations. (209) 736-2963 Check in at the lobby of the main building for your wristband. |
Gold Panning Outside of our Mining & Ranching building museum staff will be glad to provide hands on instruction to visitors who want to test their skills (and their patience) at panning like the original gold miners. This is a great way for families to experience a piece of living history after learning about the history of the gold rush at the museum.
Panning is free with admission, and you can take all the semi-precious stones you find home with you! |
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Frog Jump Exhibit
Part of the museum fun, besides scavenger hunts, gold mining, and entertaining stories from one of the many dedicated docents, is learning the story of Mark Twain and the local Frog Jump!
If you’re local to the area, you probably know that Mark Twain and his short story about a bar bet put us on the map. Who knew a jumping a frog, with a belly full of buckshot, would have such an impact. Yes, we have gold, wine, music, golf, and beautiful natural resources; but, we are best known for the Frog Jumps. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County story is often credited with making Mark Twain famous as well. It was first published in 1865, in The New York Times, and soon became a local tradition. The Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee, our county fair. Every year, people (and their frogs!) gather from all corners of the world to compete for cash, bragging rights and a commemorative bronze plaque on the sidewalk downtown for the Frog Jump.
Locals, if you ever need help explaining where you are from, mention Angels Camp and wait for the comical attempt at one of the famous pseudonyms for the Frog Jump, Jumping Frog Jubilee, Calaveras County Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee, Celebrated Frog Jumping Jubilee, Frog Competition, etc... It's always a great ice-breaker!
The Museum hosts an exhibit that carries visitors through the origins of Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and our County Fair, the most famous of all Frog Jumps.
If you’re local to the area, you probably know that Mark Twain and his short story about a bar bet put us on the map. Who knew a jumping a frog, with a belly full of buckshot, would have such an impact. Yes, we have gold, wine, music, golf, and beautiful natural resources; but, we are best known for the Frog Jumps. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County story is often credited with making Mark Twain famous as well. It was first published in 1865, in The New York Times, and soon became a local tradition. The Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee, our county fair. Every year, people (and their frogs!) gather from all corners of the world to compete for cash, bragging rights and a commemorative bronze plaque on the sidewalk downtown for the Frog Jump.
Locals, if you ever need help explaining where you are from, mention Angels Camp and wait for the comical attempt at one of the famous pseudonyms for the Frog Jump, Jumping Frog Jubilee, Calaveras County Celebrated Jumping Frog Jubilee, Celebrated Frog Jumping Jubilee, Frog Competition, etc... It's always a great ice-breaker!
The Museum hosts an exhibit that carries visitors through the origins of Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” and our County Fair, the most famous of all Frog Jumps.
When Are The Frog Jumps?
The Frog Jump is always held on the third weekend in May, Thursday through Sunday, at Frogtown fairgrounds. Kids get in free on Thursday! You can learn more at the Frogtown website where they have all the current information about the fair. Be sure to visit the museum while you are in town and stop by the museum booth at the frog jump!
Things To Do In Angels Camp
After you visit the museum, you may be looking for more to do in Angels Camp. California is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world, and Angels Camp delivers! Whether you’re interested in the Hollywood stars and rich arts of Los Angeles, the unique cultural attractions of San Francisco, or the vineyards and forests of the foothills and mountains, there’s something for everyone to enjoy - even here in our little city of Angels Camp.
Calaveras County is renowned for its county fair, wine, music festivals and concerts, great community farmers market, parks, theater, shopping in our historic downtowns, golfing, swimming, hiking and more. There is something for everyone right here in Angels Camp and in the small towns surrounding, throughout Calaveras!
If you are looking for something to do, we are happy to share some local resources, full of fun activities for the whole family:
Calaveras Visitor's Bureau
City of Angels Camp
Visit California
Calaveras Enterprise
Big Trees State Park, California D.P.R.
Stanislaus National Forest, Recreation
Lake Melones, Bureau of Reclamation
Greenhorn Creek, Golfing
Calaveras County is renowned for its county fair, wine, music festivals and concerts, great community farmers market, parks, theater, shopping in our historic downtowns, golfing, swimming, hiking and more. There is something for everyone right here in Angels Camp and in the small towns surrounding, throughout Calaveras!
If you are looking for something to do, we are happy to share some local resources, full of fun activities for the whole family:
Calaveras Visitor's Bureau
City of Angels Camp
Visit California
Calaveras Enterprise
Big Trees State Park, California D.P.R.
Stanislaus National Forest, Recreation
Lake Melones, Bureau of Reclamation
Greenhorn Creek, Golfing
Museum Events
Join our mailing list for up-to-date information on our lecture series and other fundraising initiatives. Your generosity helps us fulfill our mission of supporting the angels camp museum - every donation and volunteer makes a difference!
We’re Looking Forward to Seeing You!
Angels Camp Museum
Explore. Experience. Have Fun. It's The Mother Lode
P.O. Box 667
753 S. Main Street (Highway 49)
Angels Camp, CA 95222
(209) 736-2963
Explore. Experience. Have Fun. It's The Mother Lode
P.O. Box 667
753 S. Main Street (Highway 49)
Angels Camp, CA 95222
(209) 736-2963