WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Sacramento Valley Museum opened its 2026 season March 21 with its annual History Expo, drawing visitors for a day of exhibits, demonstrations and local history.
The event featured regional organizations, including the Friends of the Colusa County Library, Winters Museum, Sutter County Museum, Colusa County Historical Society, the Colusa County Law Enforcement Memorial Wall project and the Friends for the Preservation of Yuba County History.
Museum Director and Curator Elijah Rodriguez said this was their first event and is growing momentum.
“We had a great turnout for our first kickoff event,” Rodriguez said. “We hope to grow the event each year.”
Visitors were encouraged to explore the museum’s exhibits and displays while connecting with local groups, many of which promoted upcoming programs and events across the region.
The Sutter County Museum, located at 1333 Butte House Road in Yuba City, is currently hosting “Beyond the Five Rivers: Punjabi Pioneers Through the Art of Sarabjit Singh,” on display through May 9. The exhibit highlights Sikh history and Punjabi pioneers in California. A free reception is scheduled for April 17 from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Friends for the Preservation of Yuba County History promoted the “Flowers, Tombstones and Tales” cemetery tour set for April 11 at the Historic Marysville City Cemetery. Guided tours begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., with admission set at $10 at the gate.
In Smartsville, organizers highlighted the 17th annual Pioneer Day festival planned for April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature live music, historic characters, vendors, tours and children’s activities.
Visitors also explored booths, spoke with historians and took part in activities that included live music, raffle drawings and ice cream floats. A professional appraiser evaluated historical items brought in by attendees.
Gloria Estrada brought tokens found at a roadside sale in Mexico to be appraised.
“I thought these were unique,” Estrada said. “these were used by different farms to pay their workers.”
The intricate tokens were identified as Mexican hacienda tokens, used in the 19th and early 20th centuries by large estates to pay workers. The tokens served as private currency and often limited where workers could make purchases.
The Sacramento Valley Museum located at 1491 E. St. in Williams, preserves and shares the history of the Sacramento Valley from prehistoric times to the present. The facility is housed in a former Williams Union High School building constructed in 1911. Today, the 16,000-square-foot building contains multiple exhibit rooms and research materials.
The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, with group and private tours available by appointment.
For more information, call 530-473-2978, email sacramentovalleymuseum@gmail.com or visit sacvalleymuseum.org.