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Nevada County, California
Historical Society

Nevada County, California Historical SocietyNevada County, California Historical SocietyNevada County, California Historical Society
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  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Visit Us
      • Firehouse No. 1 Museum
      • North Star Mining Museum
      • NCNG Railroad Museum
      • Searls Historical Library
    • Coming Events
    • Membership
      • Join or Renew
      • Our Business Partners
    • Support
      • Donate
      • Volunteer
      • Planned Giving/Endowments
      • Give Every Time You Shop!
    • Research
      • Local Research Libraries
      • Research Links
      • Oral History Videos
      • African American Pioneers
    • Contact Us

Nevada County, California
Historical Society

Nevada County, California Historical SocietyNevada County, California Historical SocietyNevada County, California Historical Society
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Visit Us
    • Firehouse No. 1 Museum
    • North Star Mining Museum
    • NCNG Railroad Museum
    • Searls Historical Library
  • Coming Events
  • Membership
    • Join or Renew
    • Our Business Partners
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Planned Giving/Endowments
    • Give Every Time You Shop!
  • Research
    • Local Research Libraries
    • Research Links
    • Oral History Videos
    • African American Pioneers
  • Contact Us

Historic No. 1 Firehouse Museum

"In The Heart of Historic Downtown Nevada City"

The historic Firehouse No. 1 museum is a diamond located in the heart of historic downtown Nevada City. The museum holds many of Nevada County's hidden treasures and is a must-stop for all who visit Nevada City.

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

  
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 it's Victorian grandeur.  
The Nevada County Historical Society established this same building as its first museum, the Firehouse No. 1, in 1947. The museum has been staffed by volunteers and supported by visitor donations ever since. The Firehouse No. 1 museum hosts four main displays of Nevada County history dating from the late 19th to early 20th century.  


The first display encountered when walking through the museum doors is that of the Nisenan Indians of the Nevada City Rancheria. The Nisenan have inhabited Nevada County for thousands of years. The Nisenan exhibit offers a wide range of cultural items including watertight baskets, ceremonial feather dance collars, arrowheads, hand game bones, pounding stones and an extensive photo display.  


The Chinese exhibit is the next display visitors to the Firehouse No. 1 museum will encounter. The Chinese display houses altars from the Hou Wang and Kuan Yin Temples from Grass Valley's Chinatown; 1877-1938. Other items of interest are opium pipes, cooking equipment and school mementos, all which are beautifully displayed in this historic collection from Nevada County's Chinese pioneers. 

 
If visitors have interest in the Donner Party, here is a chance to see actual items retrieved from the Breen and Graves cabins. The Donner Party relics were collected by C.F. McGlashan. Lastly, the upstairs of the museum contains an extensive collection of Victorian daily-life articles can be seen. This Victorian collection includes firearms, tools, household items, musical instruments, wedding gowns, toys and favorite of the kids; the miniature dollhouse.

Hours

Summer Hours  (May 1 - Oct 31) 

Wednesday - Sunday, 1pm - 4pm  

Winter Hours  (Nov 1 - Apr 30)  

by appointment  


(530) 263-2496

Cathy Wilcox-Barnes, Director


214 Main Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

get directions

Copyright © 2021 Nevada County Historical Society - All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Firehouse No. 1 Museum
  • North Star Mining Museum
  • NCNG Railroad Museum
  • Searls Historical Library
  • Coming Events
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us