Calendar
Fundraisers
Trees & Traditions
The Museum's annual Trees & Traditions fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, December 4th, 2026. We hope you'll save the date and join us for Trees & Traditions: Toyland to celebrate the season! Enjoy an evening filled with delicious hors d'oeuvres, festive drinks, live music, and, of course, holiday trees and traditions. Tickets will be on sale this fall.
Programs
Drop-In Research Hours
Fridays - 2-4pm
February 6th, March 6th, April 3rd, May 1st
Museum staff and volunteers are available for drop-in research hours on the first Fridays of spring months. If you’re looking to find sources for your local history or family research, we can work with you to find books, documents, material in the Museum collection, or online resources to help!
Otona (大人) Playground: An Adult Evening
Thursday May 14th, 5-7pm
Join us for an after-hours celebration of Hello From Japan! Explore our latest hands-on exhibit at an evening especially for adults. Enjoy a short speaking presentation featuring Judge Fritzgerald Javellana, light refreshments, and a chance to play and learn about Japanese culture. Visit the exhibit before the kids take over for the summer!
Children's Programs
Our children's programs are educational in nature, with a lot of fun thrown in! Many feature local presenters, instructional time, and a craft or activity related to the topic. Regular programs include family movie nights, storytimes, and outdoor art and nature activities in the Artisan Community Garden.
Natsu Matsuri (夏祭) Summer Festival Community Kick-Off
Saturday May 16th, 10am-12pm
Join us as we kick off the exciting arrival of Hello from Japan! — a hands-on, interactive children’s exhibit designed for families to explore, play, and learn together!
Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled morning celebrating Japanese culture through engaging activities and experiences perfect for children of all ages. Enjoy arts and craft activities thanks to the Marysville JACL, Japanese snacks thanks to Grocery Outlet, music, and more as you play in the exhibit!
Outdoor Movie Night: Big Hero 6
Saturday May 16th, 8pm
Girl Scout Toop 2179 and the Artisan Community Garden are hosting a fun outdoor movie night on the Museum’s front lawn. Admission is FREE! Popcorn, candy, and drinks will be available for purchase.
Fun Fridays in the Garden
Fridays - 9:00-11:00am
June 12th, 19th, 26th
July 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
Free open play for kids of all ages! Come help water our community garden, pick produce, cook in the mud kitchen, enjoy book readings and be creative with garden, art, and sensory activities!
Please note that this is not a drop-off event. Guardian must be present with child.
Education
The Sutter County Museum provides several opportunities for free educational visits and presentations! We offer field trips tailored to your grade level(s), tours for community groups and adult organizations, and offsite presentations. All educational programs are provided free of charge and include a trained and experienced educator to lead your visit or presentation.
Please complete the Educational Program Request Form (below) to schedule your group visit. You are welcome to call the Museum at 530.822.7141 if you have questions about educational programs or need additional information before completing the Educational Program Request Form.
School Field Trips
If you are a teacher and would like to bring your class to the Museum, please contact us at least 2 weeks in advance. We may not be able to accommodate requests made on shorter notice, and space can fill up quickly!
Trained Museum educators can tailor tours to your students' grade level(s) and focus on topics that meet state educational standards. These include local history, Native Californians (Nisenan), agriculture, John Sutter, the Gold Rush, and Yuba-Sutter's multicultural communities. Please note any special requests on the Educational Program Request Form.
School tours are available Wednesdays-Fridays between 9am-1pm from March-May & September-November. A maximum of 2 classes per day is recommended for the best educational experience at the Sutter County Museum.
Bus Grants for a Sutter County Museum Field Trip
The Sutter County Museum is pleased to offer Bus Grants for the 25-26 school year! Bus Grants are provided this year thanks to the Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural & Historical Endowment, with additional support from the Sutter County Museum Association. Bus Grants will be offered this school year until all available funds are expended.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for a Bus Grant during the 25-26 school year, your class/group must:
- Have students currently in Grades K - 5
To request a Bus Grant, please fill out the Bus Grant Request Form (below). After completing this form, a Museum staff member will be in touch with you within 5 business days to notify you about the status of your Bus Grant Request.
Group Tours (non-school groups)
Our experienced educators can provide free 30-minute to 1-hour guided tours of the Museum. Tours can be tailored to fit your group's interests. Please fill out the Educational Program Request Form and note any special requests or focus that you would like for your group tour.
Offsite Presentations
Museum staff members are available for offsite presentations. Many requestors are community groups and service clubs. Presentations can be tailored to fit your group's interests, and there is no charge for this service. Please complete the Educational Program Request Form at least one month in advance of the proposed event date.
Educational Museum Kits
The Sutter County Museum's educational kits are designed to bring the Museum to your classroom! Kits contain five lesson plans for activities aligned with California state content standards. Each kit includes a teacher's guide, adaptable lesson plans, a flash drive and Google Drive with digital resources, and materials for hands-on activities. Educators using the kit may need to provide simple classroom materials such as paper, pencils, coloring supplies, and scissors.
Activities are flexible, and educators can adjust the format based on the ages, abilities, and interests of their students. The goal is to incorporate fun, hands-on learning experiences while meeting state education standards.
Funding for this project was provided by the Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment.
Kit Topics:
- Flood and Natural Disaster Kit - 3rd Grade
- Nisenan Kit - 4th Grade
- Gold Rush and Westward Expansion Kit - 4th Grade
Rental Information:
Kit rentals are offered for a two-week period. They can be picked up and dropped off at the Museum during public hours of operation.
To reserve an Educational Kit, please fill out the Educational Kit Request Form (below).
After completing this form, a Museum staff member will contact you within 5 business days to coordinate your reservation.