![Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento](/img/gd_attr/35525.jpg)
Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento (must see)
Wealthy lawyer and judge Edwin B. Crocker and his wife Margaret began collecting their extensive collection of drawings and paintings during extended European vacations. When they returned home to Sacramento, they created a gallery that quickly became a hub of social activity in the town. They hosted such notable guests as President Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde, and Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii.
When Edwin died in 1875, Margaret donated the collection to the City of Sacramento and the California Museum Association. The art museum became the first one west of the Mississippi. To house their growing collection, the museum began a massive expansion in 2002 with a large, modern addition that opened in 2010.
Their collection spans California history, including many works by local artists. There are also many European originals, including around 1,500 old master drawings and many rare prints that the Crockers collected during their travels. Significant in the collection is one of California's most extensive collections of Renoir's works. There are also many Native American ceramics and all sorts of Asian, African, and Oceanic artwork on display.
Why You Should Visit:
The main museum building is housed in the Crocker family mansion. In 1868, Crocker had a local architect redesign an existing home into the Italianate style. Architect Seth Babson also incorporated a gallery building into the structure, including a bowling alley and skating rink. The mansion is considered one of his masterpieces.
The new building expanded the museum's ability to show its collection three-fold. The new expansion has space for an education center and more space to show traveling exhibitions. Approximately 15 percent of the collection is currently shown.
Tips:
Check the museum's website for current traveling and temporary exhibitions. The biennial Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition is held with the cooperation of the Kingsley Art Club.
When Edwin died in 1875, Margaret donated the collection to the City of Sacramento and the California Museum Association. The art museum became the first one west of the Mississippi. To house their growing collection, the museum began a massive expansion in 2002 with a large, modern addition that opened in 2010.
Their collection spans California history, including many works by local artists. There are also many European originals, including around 1,500 old master drawings and many rare prints that the Crockers collected during their travels. Significant in the collection is one of California's most extensive collections of Renoir's works. There are also many Native American ceramics and all sorts of Asian, African, and Oceanic artwork on display.
Why You Should Visit:
The main museum building is housed in the Crocker family mansion. In 1868, Crocker had a local architect redesign an existing home into the Italianate style. Architect Seth Babson also incorporated a gallery building into the structure, including a bowling alley and skating rink. The mansion is considered one of his masterpieces.
The new building expanded the museum's ability to show its collection three-fold. The new expansion has space for an education center and more space to show traveling exhibitions. Approximately 15 percent of the collection is currently shown.
Tips:
Check the museum's website for current traveling and temporary exhibitions. The biennial Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition is held with the cooperation of the Kingsley Art Club.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Sacramento. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Crocker Art Museum on Map
Sight Name: Crocker Art Museum
Sight Location: Sacramento, USA (See walking tours in Sacramento)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Sacramento, USA (See walking tours in Sacramento)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Sacramento, California
Create Your Own Walk in Sacramento
Creating your own self-guided walk in Sacramento is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
The Gold Rush of the mid-1800s brought a large number of gold miners and prospects to Sacramento. The city expanded further when the California State Legislature moved here in 1854. Some of Sacramento’s historic buildings date back to that period and used to accommodate the flood of gold seekers and growing government business.
The elegant Governor's Mansion State Historic Park once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The elegant Governor's Mansion State Historic Park once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Sacramento Introduction Walking Tour
Though little evidence is left now, the Sacramento Valley was home to the Modoc, Plains Miwok, and Nisenan Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of the pioneers and the Spanish. John Sutter Sr. settled at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, land bequeathed to him by the Mexican government in 1839. He had his eyes on creating an agriculture empire. You... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles