We do a lot of adventuring farther away from home and recently we were inspired to do some exploring closer to home and check out some of the cool places in Folsom like the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park and the Folsom Pioneer Village.
After spending the morning at the Folsom Powerhouse, we visited Pioneer Village, a small history museum just off historic Sutter Street. Unlike most museums, whose exhibits sit behind glass, gates, and velvet ropes, Pioneer Village lets kids and families get up close and even hands-on with the artifacts on display.
During our visit, we explored a blacksmith shop and windmill, farming and mining equipment, a reconstructed miner’s cabin, and a genuine Southern Pacific Railroad caboose. Carter added some new pressed pennies to his collection and we cracked up over the leaning outhouse!
About The Folsom Pioneer Village
Pioneer Village is the outdoor interpretive center for the Folsom History Museum and the Folsom Historical Society. It offers visitors a variety of displays, equipment, and other exhibits, including an authentic, working blacksmith forge, all showcasing the different eras of Folsom’s development. You can try gold panning, walk through historic Folsom Station, which is listed on the National Register, examine artifacts from the old dredging days, and observe early construction and farming tools.
On living history days, volunteers lead demonstrations in blacksmithing and gold panning.
Know Before You Go
- The Folsom Pioneer Village is located at 196 Wool Street, Folsom, California 95630 in Sacramento County.
- Admission is free, but a donation is suggested.
- Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, weather permitting.
