Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento’s Lost Japantown Returns to the Museum on Dec. 20

December 2025 E-News • View as Webpage

Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento’s Lost Japantown Returns to the Museum on Dec. 20

Exhibit on view December 20, 2025 - March 29, 2026

We are pleased to announce the return of Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento’s Lost Japantown, an exhibition that first appeared at the California Museum in 2017 and remains one of our most beloved and impactful.

Featuring rare family photographs drawn from the personal collections of community members, the exhibit documents the memories at the heart of a once-thriving downtown community devastated first by forced removal during WWII and again by redevelopment in the 1950s.

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Another Session Added! Behind Barbed Wire:
A Time of Remembrance Event

Saturday, January 17, 2026
11:30 am – 1:00 pm SOLD OUT
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE

Last month we announced Behind Barbed Wire, a special event offering visitors of all ages a chance to experience our powerful Time of Remembrance student program for the first time ever. The event sold out in less than 24 hours, and due to the overwhelming demand, we have added another session!

Tailored for general audiences, Behind Barbed Wire will examine the wrongful incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII through historical context and impactful personal stories from camp survivors and their descendants.

Get your ticket now! This session will sell out quickly.

Tickets are $12 for general admission and Free for Museum members.

Get Your Ticket

15% Off Memberships This Holiday Season

Offer valid through December 25, 2025

A membership to the California Museum is more than access to exhibits—it’s a year-long journey through California’s culture, history, and innovation.

Enjoy a year of unlimited visits, free & discounted events, exclusive member-only experiences, entry to 400+ museums across the county, & more!

Click the link below to learn more about membership options for individuals, couples, & families and all the benefits included.

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EVENT RECAP

Freedom's Allies:
Mary Brown & Mary Ellen Pleasant

On November 18, we hosted "Freedom's Allies," featuring the unveiling of our newest artifact, a silver-plated chalice presented to Mary Brown—widow of famed abolitionist John Brown—by a Victorian-era group of formerly enslaved people, honoring her efforts in the fight for freedom.

The event also included a historical performance and Q&A by Emmy Award winner Dr. Susheel Bibbs, who brought to life the story of Mary Ellen Pleasant, the "Mother of Civil Rights in California."

The chalice is now on view in our "Women Inspire" exhibit on the second floor of the Museum. Stop by to see this piece of history for yourself!

Museum Updates

Shop with Purpose this Holiday Season

Explore our curated selection of unique gifts for all ages at the Museum Store.

Open during Museum hours, the Store is filled with California and exhibit-inspired gifts for all ages! From keepsakes and jewelry to fun trinkets and educational toys, there’s something for everyone on your list! No admission ticket necessary to shop.

MEMBER DISCOUNT DAYS:
Double your member discount! Museum members receive a 20% discount on Museum Store merchandise* now through Sunday, December 7.
*Pre-tax and pre-discount. Excludes food & beverage and clearance items (discount may not be combined with other offers or discounts; if multiple discounts are available, the largest discount will apply).