Julia Cronin
Artifact of the Month - Milestone California ...

Did you know that California used to require individuals make their own license plates? 

Artifact of the Month - Milestone California License Plates
Julia Cronin
Artifact of the Month - Calling Card

How did people announce their arrival before telephones and text messages?

Artifact of the Month - Calling Card
Amanda Kramp
Artifact of the Month - Classroom Souvenir

Who was Lula Stanford and how did her souvenir card end up in Turtle Bay’s Collection?

Artifact of the Month - Classroom Souvenir
Julia Cronin
Artifact of the Month - Little Mendocino ...

Another Musuem mystery. Was Turtle Bay’s copy of Little Mendocino painted by Grace Hudson herself? Or is it one of many dozens of copies made by other artists? “The Game is Afoot”, as another famous Holmes would say.

Artifact of the Month - Little Mendocino Watercolor
Julia Cronin
Artifact of the Month - Tolima Gold Pendant ...

This miniature pendant replica represents the type and styling of gold objects that characterize the Tolima culture of central Colombia. A reproduction that accurately depicts a creation of inspiration from supernatural visions and nature. Often worn as a pendant, this piece captured an embellishing portrayal of a shaman being in an animal spirit form.

Artifact of the Month - Tolima Gold Pendant Reproduction

VIDEO: Flooding at the Sundial Bridge

VIDEO: Flooding at the Sundial Bridge

Between wildfires, snow storms, power outages, and heavy rainfall, the North State seen and experienced it all. Despite these challenges, today’s sunshine reminds us how beautiful our region truly is. As the Sacramento River levels rise, we are also reminded how strong and powerful our great natural resources are. Thankfully, the Sundial Bridge and surrounded areas were designed to withstand seasonal changes such as flooding. The Turtle Bay Museum and Forest Camp are safe and accessible to park guests, while the Gardens will remain closed due to tree damage from the snow.

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Artifact of the Month: Match Safes

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Artifact of the Month: Match Safes

These mystery objects were on fire during February, overwhelmingly winning this month’s slot for Artifact of the Month! Some folks may have guessed that these little, metal boxes were lighters, which is not too far off since they are indeed associated with making fire. However, these diverse artifacts are all various types of match safes. 

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VIDEO: Turkey Vulture

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VIDEO: Turkey Vulture

Vultures are the single most important scavengers in the world. Turkey vultures are able to consume so many different types of viruses and bacterias that would normally kill other animals. Things like salmonella, anthrax, and even botulism.  Because of this incredible immune system, vultures are really important with keeping us healthy.

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Artifact of the Month: Turkana Head Rest

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Artifact of the Month: Turkana Head Rest

This “mystery object” received an overwhelming number of votes in our visitor poll! A mystery no more, this head rest was accessioned into the Turtle Bay museum collection in 1978 with the description, “head rest from the Turkana culture of Northwestern Kenya; used to protect hairdos while sleeping and to keep bugs from getting into hair; carried with a sash worn around the waist and is sometimes used as a stool.” So, now you know!

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Art Cycled

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Art Cycled

Where some people see junk, others see potential. Local artists converge for this exhibition of recycled, upcycled, and just plain rescued art! This group-curated pop-up features work by established and emerging artists working in a wide variety of media for a limited time, now through August 3, 2018 in the East End of the Museum at Turtle Bay in Redding, CA. 

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Museum Collections

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Museum Collections

The Turtle Bay Museum Collection consists of over 35,000 historical, ethnographic, and archaeological artifacts and artworks. It is amalgam of the collections of the former Redding Museum of Art and History and The Forest Museum and includes objects acquired after the museums merged into Turtle Bay. Today, Turtle Bay is not actively collecting due to lack of funding, space, and personnel.