Schools and Scholars Trinidad area schools are featured in the new Heritage Room exhibit: Trinidad School (1870), Big Lagoon School (1881), Patricks Point School (1883), Little River School (1899, and later known as Bulwinkle and Crannell School), and Stone Lagoon School (1899), are included. On Display through Winter 2019.
Native American Tobacco Baskets & Pipes from Northwestern California
Trinidad Museum: 10 Years Later A retrospective exhibit in the Historical Photos room celebrates its 10th Anniversary in the moved and renovated Sangster-Watkins-Underwood-Susan home. On Display through Winter 2020.
Working Baskets Baskets used in everyday life are exhibited in the Native American Room accompanied by samples of the materials used to create them. On Display through Summer 2019.
50th Anniversary of Lady Bird Johnson Grove The exhibit in the Photography Room commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National and State Parks. On Display until Fall 2019.
“We Are Patriots” Commemorating Trinidad Area Veterans & the End of World War I in 1918, this exhibit in the Heritage Room honors local veterans. On Display through Winter 2019
Historical Architecture of Trinidad
Early photographs of hotels, stores, schools, churches, gathering places, saloons, garages, the first pier along Trinidad Head, lighthouses, the railroad station, Town Hall and homes. On Display through Summer 2018
Pacific Glow Fox Farm on Stagecoach Road
The closeness of the Thompson, Johnson and Spinas families through decades of productive Trinidad community and commercial life is brought to life in the Mary Spinas Kline Collection of photographs and documents exhibited in the Heritage Room of the Museum. On Display Until April 14, 2018
Quillwork in Native American Baskets from Northwest California
Nearly fifty baskets and objects from multiple collections will be on view, opening on October 9. In addition, a newly acquired 42-inch porcupine “study skin” installed in a redwood and acrylic case donated by Dr. Steve Ruth will be part of the exhibit. On Display Until September 3, 2017
Touring Scenic Drive: Then & Now
In April 2012 at the annual meeting of the Trinidad Museum Society, Arlene Hartin gave a slide presentation documenting the construction of Highway 1, now Scenic Drive, based on the Lenore M. Fairbanks photo album of 1921-1922. This album has been digitized and is presented along with “then & now” images. On Display Until Summer 2017
Unsheltered: Commercial Fishing out of Trinidad
The history of commercial fishing in Trinidad, California is a rich one. It is a tale full of storms, danger, hardship, success, community, competition, skill, and luck. The story is enriched by a cast of characters one could not make up, even with the wildest of imaginations. On Display Until
J. Goldsborough Bruff Sketches
A collection of J. Goldsborough Bruff’s sketches of Humboldt County created in 1851 during the Gold Rush. Displayed are a selection of coast line images, the Tsurai village, and a self-portrait. On Display Until Spring 2015
Trinidad Lighthouse 1871-Present
This exhibit details the history of the lighthouse on Trinidad Head and features photographs from the collections of Humboldt State Uiversity, Humboldt County Historical Society, Trinidad Museum Society, and the U.S. Cost Guard. On Display Until December 2014
Lee Taylor Walashek’s Landscape Paintings
The museum is honored to show a selection of local artist Lee Taylor Walashek’s landscape paintings. A native to the area, Walashek portrays scenes from Humboldt County, particularly the scenic town of Trinidad. On Display Until Spring 2014
Photographs of Native Americans of Northwest California
Historic photographs from the golden age of Indian photographs (1870-1929) are featured. Women photographers are highly represented in the photographs of Emma Freeman, Grace Nicholson, Nellie McGraw, and Ruth Roberts. The exhibition includes a sampling of original tintypes, postcards, and master-prints. On Display Until Fall 2013
A Contribution to Prayer
This exhibition is a small portion of an intricate collection of magnificent traditional and contemporary works by Callie Lara over many years. These are traditional and contemporary pieces for the ceremonies of the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk tribes. On Display Until March 2013
The “Made for the Trade” exhibition explores local Native American baskets and changes that occurred through making them for sale and trade outside of the Indian community.
The ““Indian curio trade” redefined baskets as art. Methods of collecting and interpreting baskets changed through commerce, anthropology, photography, and displays in a white home’s “Indian corner” or “Indian room.”
Major weavers including Elizabeth Hickox, Nettie Ruben, Amy Smoker and Ella Johnson are emphasized, as well as collectors/interpreters including Brizard & Co., Grace Nicholson, Emma Freeman, A. W. Ericson, Alfred Kroeber and Lila O’Neale.
In addition, many new basket patterns appeared from weavers’ imaginations and from designs prevalent to the commercial world.
On Display Until October 2012
