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Best Ways To Learn About Presidential And American History In Sacramento

Presidents Day, the day in which we honor our past presidents, is February 18. It was through their vision, tenacity and hard work that helped forge this great nation. Today, we can look back and see how far we have traveled in history, through the various museums that record our trek. The California Museum has exhibits showing how the state of California has grown and the State Capital Museum exhibits legislative changes through the years. The Aerospace Museum covers aircraft history, the Automobile Museum covers automotive history and the Railroad Museum shows the history of the railroad.

Aerospace Museum Of California
(credit: aerospacemuseumofcalifornia.org)

Aerospace Museum of California
3200 Freedom Park Drive
McClellan, CA 95652
(916) 643-3192
www.aerospaceca.org

For those interested in the American history of flight, visit the Aerospace Museum of California. One of the museum's exhibits boasts of being built in 1932. It is the Curtiss-Wright B-14-B Speedwing bi-plane. Visiting the Aerospace Museum would also give you insight on other not-so-well-known flying machines such as the Albatross, the Grasshopper, the Voodoo, the Boxcar, the Dagger and don't forget the Warthog. These various aircrafts helped carry our soldiers to victory, securing our freedom for today. The museum also has exhibits of the US Coast Guard art collection, restored engines, flight simulators and a motion ride simulator.

California Automobile Museum
(credit: calautomuseum.org)

California Automobile Museum
2200 Front St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 442-6802
www.calautomuseum.org

For those that like to stay on the ground, there is the California Automobile Museum. Its mission is to "preserve, exhibit and teach the story of the automobile and its influence on our lives." Each third Thursday of the month, the museum has a "Cars Under the Stars" event. At that event, there is a special programming coordinated by museum staff from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

California Museum
The California Museum
Archives Plaza
1020 O St.
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 653-7524
www.californiamuseum.org

While we are all Americans and proud of our heritage, there are groups of Americans that have a special history within our history. The California Museum has ongoing signature exhibits to portray their historic value in our heritage. Those exhibits would include Californians in the California Hall of Fame; California Indians in the "Making a Difference" exhibit; women in the "California's Remarkable Women" exhibit; and the exhibit "Uprooted! Japanese Americans during WWII." Former first lady Maria Shriver is co-creator of the "Remarkable Women" exhibit.

Related: Best Places For Women's History In Sacramento

California State Capitol Museum
(credit: capitolmuseum.ca.gov)

California State Capitol Museum
1315 10th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-0333
www.capitolmuseum.ca.gov

Helping to shape the state and influence the nation are our legislators. They work in the state capitol where you will also find the State Capitol Museum. Currently the museum is showing the "California Treasures Artwork of the Great Depression" exhibit. This museum exhibits portraits of California governors, historical murals about the state and various art exhibits, including one exhibit of artwork designed by former legislators.

Related: Best Ways To Celebrate Native American History And Culture In The Sacramento Area

California State Railroad Museum
(credit: csrmf.org)

California State Railroad Museum
125 I St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-6645
www.csrmf.org

Open since 1976, one of the newest exhibits at the Railroad Museum is the "Whittle Stop: A Cast of Caricatures on a Wild West Train." Carved by the Caricature Carvers of America (CCA), this exhibit debuted in September of 2012 and will be on exhibit until September of 2013. The detailed wooden sculpture depicts a 1880's era steam train, with depot, handcar, crossing gate, water tower and over 40 characters from various lifestyles in the wild western state of California of that time.

Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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