The Historic Firehouse No. 1 Museum [map it]

Completed in the Spring of 1861, this firehouse was home to Nevada Hose Company No.1 from 1861 to 1938. During those nearly 80 years, horse -drawn fire wagons and handcarts

and “modern ” motorized fire engines rolled out the doors. 

In 1947 the Nevada City City Council donated the use of the building to the Nevada County Historical Society to house its museum. 

The brick building originally had a much simpler façade of the Greek revival style, with a tall bell tower.  In the early part of the twentieth century, the facade was replaced by the present Victorian gingerbread front. Today the firehouse has become a symbol of Nevada City. It is probably the most photographed building in Nevada City, as visitors are struck by its victorian grandeur.

215 Main Street,

Nevada City, CA 95959

Open Tue-Sun 12-4

(closed holidays)

Wally Hagaman, curator

(530) 265-5468

Nisenan Indians 

The Nisenan Indians are the native Indians of Nevada County, having lived here long before the arrival of European settlers. While the Nevada City Rancheria (reservation) no longer exists, the Nisenan people still live here.  The tribe continues to be active in the community as they have for the past 200 years. They are well represented at the museum.

Nisenan Basketry collection displays a collection of baskets dating to before 1900.

   Nevada City Nisenan Rancheria Photo Gallery.                                    Large water tight Nisenan cooking basket. 

Donner Party Relics 

Small artifacts found at the Breen and the Graves cabins collected by C.F. McGlashan are displayed here

Chinese Display 

The museum houses the altar and other artifacts from the Hou Wang Temple

and the Kuan Yin Temple, which were located in Grass Valley from 1877 to 1938.

There are also many items from Chinese daily life, from school books used in the Chinese language schools, to opium pipes, tools, cooking utensils, clothing and everyday items.

Grass Valley Chinese School collection. 

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Chinese Altar, part of a large

collection of Chinese artifacts

from the area.

Nevada County Chinese Pioneers Photos                                     Opium and gambling artifacts.       
and brief biographies.                                                                                       

Daily Life 

On display are common items used in the past 150 years. There are firearms, collections of tools of various trades, kitchen and household items and a collection of items of interest to children, including a miniature doll house.

There is also a display of 19th century clothing which includes the satin gown worn by Suffragette advocate Mrs. Aaron A. Sargent at the court of Kaiser Wilhelm in 1870. Senator Sargent from Nevada City wrote the 14th amendment giving women the right to vote.

Contact the Museum:

Wedding Dresses

Antique Bottles

Victorian Dollhouse

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