Free admission today at Porterville Historical Museum, Zalud House
Today is the Smithsonian Museum’s 14th annual Museum Day, and in honor of the occasion two Porterville museums will be letting guests in free of charge.
Porterville Historical Museum will open their doors free of charge on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Zalud House will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On this day only, participating museums across the United States emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington Dc-based facilities.
“Come and see the glorious past Porterville and its citizens,” said Porterville Historical Museum Curator Sheila Pickrell. This will be eighth year the museum has participated in Museum Day. “What I love about Museum Day is it gives people time to come in and see things they didn’t know we had here in Porterville.”
A Kids Korner will feature fall-themed crafts, and young visitors are invited to come out and participate in history at the museum, which was established in 1965 and is housed in the old Southern Pacific depot constructed in 1913.
The Museum is a historical walk throughout time: containing some of the region’s finest examples of Yokuts and other American Indian artifacts, items used by the first pioneers and settlers to the region, and snapshots of various time periods throughout the past 100 years.
A large oil painting of a stagecoach by a Porterville High School student dominates the main room, and the sizable collection of decorative arts and crafts includes china, dolls, quilts, and more.
The Museum also has a local reputation for its display of trains during the holiday season. They also have temporary displays that alternate throughout the year.
Frank “Buck” Shaffer is honored by an exhibit which features a life-size mannequin and memorabilia from his 37 years as director of the Porterville High School Band and the Fabulous Studio Band.
A military mini-exhibit is tucked in the old waiting arcade. It features memorabilia from those who have served our country from the Civil War to the present day, but with a greater emphasis on World War II.
The Porterville Historical Museum is located at 257 N. D Street. For more information call 784-2053 or visit www.portervillemuseum.org or check them out on Facebook.
Built in 1891 The Zalud House also offers visitors to go back in time, and offers a nostalgic glimpse into the past that preserves the legacy of the family and the early history of Porterville pioneers.
It was and is one of few homes from that era that has not undergone any remodeling and one of few museums in the nation that is furnished entirely with the owners’ original possessions. It is listed on the National Historical Registry of Old Houses and the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s Porterville history, and this event is just a really nice thing to do for the community for young kids wandering around with nothing to do or people who can’t normally afford it,” said Zalud House Curator Heather Huerta. This is the second year the Zalud House has participated in Museum Day.
The Zalud House museum is located at 393 N. Hockett St. in Porterville. For more information call 7827548.
Museum Day represents a nationwide commitment to access, equity and inclusion. Over 250,000 people downloaded tickets for last year’s event, and Museum Day 2018 is expected to attract more museumgoers than ever before.
The theme of this year’s Museum Day is Women Making History, honoring women in society who are trailblazers in the arts, sciences, innovation and culture, and emboldening others to be pioneers as well.
For more information, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday.