MUSEUM HISTORY

Our Story

A Brief History of The California Museum:

The California Museum, originally named the Golden State Museum, opened in June 1998 as a unique partnership between the State of California as the Museum as a private non-profit. Under the development of the Secretary of State’s office with state bond funding for the facility and the opening exhibits, the Museum was to display contents of the vast and various state archives. Private contributions, augmented by proceeds from admissions and the Museum store, continue to fund the Museum’s programs and operations.

Starting with little financial resources, the Museum focused its efforts solely on educational programs and curatorial expansion to meet California’s State Curriculum Standards. The Museum programs quickly began to provide an important resource for educators wanting to learn more about the rich history of California.

In 2003, First Lady Maria Shriver began working with the Secretary of State and California State Parks to expand the Museum. After noticing the glaring absence of any type of commemoration of California women and their significant roles in the state’s history, she became active in establishing an exhibit to fill this void. In May of 2004, “California’s Remarkable Women” opened, thus beginning her collaborative efforts with the Museum. Under her patronage, new exhibitions focused on stories not told anywhere else that represented all aspects of California’s diverse culture, people and history were created with an emphasis on the contributions of women and the under-represented.

Due to the success of the "California’s Remarkable Women" exhibit, the Museum gave Shriver and Governor Schwarzenegger the titles of Honorary Co-Chairs. Their hands-on approach in working with the Museum produced the California Hall of Fame, the most notable and diverse part of their legacy as the Museum's Honorary Co-Chairs.

In the spring of 2011, newly-inaugurated Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown graciously offered to become Honorary Co-Chairs of both The California Museum and the California Hall of Fame. The Governor and First Lady have taken a leadership role in the selection of inductees, bringing their vision and energy as well as an appreciation of California history and the educational mission of the Museum.

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