I had the priviledge of walking in the door today and the first friendly face I came to greeted me & welcomed me to the museum. He is John Mount, Chairman of the Historical Society. And I was fascinated with the information he provided me! From May thru Oct, there is always something exciting going on at the museum...Just the museum itself is remarkable. Their theme is history from the Foothills to the Forest to the Alpines. Old time photos depict life in Shaver Lake in the early 1900's. From logging to Indian artifacts found in the area that are century's old. They also have kids activities that focuses on educating about the history, flora & fauna and animals living in this Sierra area. There is even a gift shop filled with souveneirs, books, local potterer's works and of course, tee-shirts.
When you walk through the museum, take a look at the wood walls around you. That wood actually came from "Sinker Logs" that were raised from the depths of Shaver Lake. That was the topic today at the Sierra Voices Education Program that runs throughout the summer. Thanks to Jeff Young, speaker, for his intense knowledge of the historical and cultural secrets that are told right in the center of those logs. The room was filled to capacity with guests from Camp Edison and the surrounding area visitors. The next Sierra Voice will be held on August 13, 1-3PM, and the topic will be "Flume History In The Central Sierra", Speaker Norman Saude. From what I hear, the flume was all built out of wood from the area and took a really long time to construct, just so they could get the logs out of the woods and down to the mills at the bottom of the mountain...but that's a whole other story!
Other events throughout the season include photography and watercolor classes, and the most exciting of all is being at "The Steam-Up" where they start up the "Donkey Engine", the boiler is lit off and the whistle blows letting everyone know the show is on! There is also an Annual Old Timer's Picnic, August 20th this year, and you can come visit with the people who lived in this area and worked the logging and even the Big Creek Railroad Project. Boy what stories they will be telling! There is even a fundraising dinner held after the picnic which is almost sold out. But that helps fund the events that are held at the museum. Then there is the restoration of the Caboose No.50 which will open soon at the museum. It was in operation from 1912 to 1933 and transported equipment and personnel during the early phases of the Southern California Edison Company's development of the Big Creek Hydroelectric Power System. Which again is a whole other story and another awesome attraction to see while you're in the Shaver Lake/Huntington Lake area of the Sierra's!
The newest restoration project is their Outdoor Amphitheatre. Many a nights they ran movies for Camp Edison campers and local surrounding visitors which they hope to bring back by next year. But, what this new amphitheatre boasts, and you'll see the announcement in the Fresno Bee on Monday, July 11, the Word On The Street is...it is available for weddings, parties, workshops, corporate receptions, team building activities, live music and melodramas...And at such affordable rates you'll be wanting to get your reservations in immediately.
There are so many activities throughout May through Oct, I just can't list them all...Please visit the museums' website for a schedule...I'm definitely going to the Ice Cream Social they're holding next weekend, July 17...and it's FREE! And the entertainment for the day is the "Donkey Engine"...it's going to rev up & blow it's whistle...Something you just have to experience! So come meet John, Katie and the other dedicated volunteers of the Central Sierra Historical Society...It's free to explore the museum...But donations are always welcome!
The Museum of the Central Sierra, 42642 Tollhouse Rd., Shaver Lake, CA 93664...Make the turn into Camp Edison and the museum is just outside the gates to the campground.
Visit The Central Sierra Historical Society Website
