It’s difficult to imagine that a massive 3-story museum in Northern California could be considered a “hidden gem”, but this Stockton museum definitely fits that description! Most Northern Californians have never heard of the Haggin Museum, which features extensive art collections and historical galleries. It is located right in Stockton’s Victory Park. No trip to Stockton would ever be complete without a visit to this amazing museum!
The museum opened in 1931 and was named after the donor's father.
Today the museum is a treasure-trove of 19th and 20th century art. With a recent $2.5 million renovation, the museum now includes even more gallery space.
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The Haggin Museum has an impressive collection of artwork.
It boasts over 34,000 square feet of exhibition space and houses an extensive array of pieces, including the largest collection of Albert Bierstadt works in the region. Additionally, the museum's dedication to J. C. Leyendecker is evident in the permanent gallery space created during the recent 2017 renovation.
The immersive art experience extends beyond paintings, with a number of history galleries. See artifacts that tell the story of California’s history, some of which are from the 19th century.
The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including Native Americans, the Gold Rush, agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley, historic fire fighting equipment, and the city's industrial heritage.
Another unique feature that allows visitors to step back in time are the storefronts. These meticulously recreated shops transport visitors back to San Joaquin County between 1890 and 1915.
The storefronts represent various businesses and rooms, including a one-room schoolhouse and a Chinese herb shop, giving a sense of life back then. We could easily spend the day walking through this museum and enjoying all these scenes from the past brought to life.
Among the thousands of historical items permanently on display, the Haggin Museum houses intriguing artifacts, including a World War II jeep and the trunk used by the infamous murderess Emma LeDoux in the "trunk murder of 1906."
These items serve as windows into the diverse and sometimes dark chapters of the region's past, allowing visitors to connect with history on a personal level.
