Sacramento Museum Day 2009

Sacramento, California is a city that is rich in culture and history. With many locals dedicated to the preservation and distribution of knowledge, there are numerous museums in the area that are dedicated to a variety of subjects. In 1999, Sacramento Museum Day was started to grant free admission for the public to many of these museums.

Sacramento Museum Day serves two purposes: it gives people the chance to see museums they may not normally get the opportunity to due to financial difficulty, and it promotes each of the participating museums. Out of necessity due to the large crowds, patrons see only a portion of each museum. Those who enjoyed what they saw often go back later, paying full price and taking more time so they can see everything. In addition, drawing crowds to each of the locations encouraged patronage of the surrounding businesses.

2009 Sacramento Museum Day

In 2009, the event's 11^th year, two records were set: one for participating museums at 26, and one for attendees at over 8,000. Some places, like the Sacramento Zoo, were so crowded that many people gave up and left. Others, such as the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, required a 45-minute wait in line before getting in.

Some of the success of the day was due to the sponsors who helped make the event possible. Umpqua Bank provided free shuttle service among the museums, facilitating movement of attendees and cutting down on traffic and parking issues.

As stated in a press release from the event, "The Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau staffed shuttle buses with volunteer Step-On Guides, providing valuable assistance to the guests throughout the day. Additional support came from KVIE Public Television, Capital Public Radio, Outword Magazine, New10's Sac & Co., and Sacramento Regional Transit, all of which graciously helped to promote the event."

Some of the museums who participated in the event included, but were not limited to: Aerospace Museum of California, California State Capitol Museum, California State Indian Museum, Crocker Art Museum, Fairytale Town, Governor's Mansion State Historic Park, Sacramento Historic City Cemetery and Sutter's Fort State Historic Park.

Sacramento Museum Day is a great event for the whole family. Visitors get the chance to sample just a small amount of the history, science and culture that are alive and well in the area.