Libraries

THANKS TO PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM AND WILLING VOLUNTEERS
THE FOLEY LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN THREE DAYS A WEEK: THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

This is the history branch of the Nevada County Library
211 N. Pine Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone 530-265-4606.
Current Hours: Thursday - Saturday - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Reduced hours starting in 2009 resulted from County budget cuts; restoration of additional days is due to Friends of the Library and community volunteers.

For further information on the collection follow these links:
   Books & References
   Newspapers (on microfilm)

Visit library web page

For hours call 530-265-5892 to reserve computer and microfilm reader time.
Location: 615 Hollow Way, Nevada City.

214 Church St, Nevada City, CA 95959.
Phone 530-265-5910.
Repository of county genealogical records, maps, photographs, and information on people, mines, businesses and residences of the 1850s to present time. Staffed by Volunteers of the Nevada County Historical Society.
open Monday - Saturday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Visit web page.

207 Mill St, Grass Valley.
Phone 530-273-4117.
HOURS: M & F -- 10:00am - 6:00pm
T,W, Th & Sat-- 10:00am - 8:00pm
Closed Sunday

NOTE: HOURS HAVE CHANGED DUE TO BUDGET CUTS.

980 Helling Way, Nevada City
Phone 530-265-7050
HOURS: M & F -- 10:00am - 6:00pm
T, W, Th & Sat-- 10:00am - 8:00pm
Closed Sunday.

NOTE: HOURS HAVE CHANGED DUE TO BUDGET CUTS

10031 Levon Avenue, Truckee
Phone 530-582-7846
HOURS: M & F -- 10:00am - 6:00pm
T, W, Th & Sat-- 10:00am - 8:00pm
Closed Sunday.

NOTE: HOURS HAVE CHANGED DUE TO BUDGET CUTS .

250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley. 
Phone 530-274-5304.
Please call for days and hours open.

Museums

Located on the campsite of the Donner Wagon Party
12593 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA (or P.O. Box 9210) Truckee 95737
Phone 530-587-3841.

Please call for days and hours open. Fee to Enter.
Exhibits on railroad logging, dioramas on Indian and westward movement, pioneer tools, Indian artifacts, logging tractor and wagons, trapping items. Tours, docent program, gift shop.

214 Main St, Nevada City. 
Phone 530-265-5468 for days and hours open.
Current Summer hours Open: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturnday, Sunday
  1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Opens May 1 for Summer Season.

Donations requested.
Collection of Nevada County 19th Century artifacts and memorabilia, a Chinese Joss House, Maidu Indian artifacts, Donner Party artifacts, and other displays including tools, medical instruments, military uniforms, clothing & accessories, household itmes and toys. Original firehouse, Firehouse NO. 1 is the most photographed and artistically painted in Nevada City. Volunteer staff docents provided by Nevada County Historical Society.

410 S. Church St, Grass Valley
Phone (530) 273-5509 for tours, days and hours open.
Donations requested.

Part of the old Mount Saint Mary's Convent and Academy. Numerous
displays relating early Grass Valley and Nevada County history including
a replica of a doctor's office, a classroom of the 1870s, antique furniture
and paintings. Outside is an heirloom rose garden.

201 Church St, Nevada City.
This historic, award winning art deco government building has several collections including a display of rare firearms, the Heritage of Gold Rush Era exhibit, state fair trophies, and Wallace M. Gordon heirlooms.

248 Mill Street, Grass Valley

Mill Street, Grass Valley
(near Lola Montez house, above).

325 Spring St, Nevada City.
Birthplace of the pelton wheel, display of state historic landmarks in manufacturing metal products for mines and other businesses, and outside displays of mining tools, machinery, an ore car, and a pelton wheel. Docent led tours by request.

17894 Tyler Foote Crossing Road, Nevada City.
Special exhibits change periodically.

Allison Ranch Rd at Mc Courtney Rd, Grass Valley
Phone (530) 273-4255
Please call for days and hours open. Large displays of mining equipment, artifacts and memorabilia. Gift shop.

State Parks

10791 Empire Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone (530) 273-9853.
Please call for days and hours open.

Oldest and richest hard rock mine in California, which yielded 5.8 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. Park includes a mine shaft, mine yard, scale model of mine, and a machine shop.

Tours of the historic Bourn Cottage and gardens, walk down into a mine shaft, view a mine history film, displays, docent programs, gift shop.

For those searching in the Grass Valley area who have information that their ancestor was employed by the Empire Mine, this is a good place to start your research. Photographs of employees from 1930 are available with a name index and reference numbers. Transcripts of interviews and historical information from the local libraries also available. It is necessary to complete a form with the information on the ancestor you are seeking. This form is only available from the Visitors Center at the park. The form is then submitted and a committee will review it and let you know when you can come in to view the photographs and other information on your ancestor. All of this employee information belongs to the Park Association and not the State Park Department.

NOTE: This historical mining site and facility may be closing due to California budget cutbacks!

23579 North Bloomfield Road, Nevada City CA 95959
Phone (530) 265-2740
Please call for days and hours open.
Fee to Enter.

About 26 miles northeast of Nevada City. Once California's largest hydraulic mining operations, the North Bloomfield Museum has extensive exhibits and several restored buildings. Only steep cliffs remain where huge monitors once directed streams of water over the hillsides to wash down the gravel with its mineral content. Good hiking trails, camping, cabins, picnic tables, and tours available.

Hwy 49 for 10 miles to Tyler-Foote Crossing Road, then 16 miles to the park. NOTE: This historical museum and California State Park may be closed due to budget cutbacks.

Park Contact