Clovis

Clovis Big Dry Creek Historical Society Museum
297-8033
401 Pollasky Ave. at 4th St.

This museum brings you face-to face with many of the people who made Clovis what it is today. Two 1941 Clovis High yearbooks signed by attendee Norma Jean Forest--better known as Marilyn Monroe--make up a new exhibit. Another exhibit displays the saddle and chaps of Fresno's most famous cowboy, "Happy: Jack Hawn, who started the first rodeos in Clovis during the 1940's. Clovis High graduation photos from 1918 to 1964 are on display, along with historical artifacts and photographs. Military displays include captured Japanese equipment from World War II and a Lewis gun from World War I. Monthly exhibits feature artifacts from around the world. Open Friday, 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m.; Saturday, 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Also open Friday, 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m., May to October.

Fresno

African-American Historical and Cultural Museum of the San Joaquin Valley
268-7102
1857 Fulton St. at Divisadero St.

Opened in June 1993, this museum hosts rotating and permanent displays concerning African-American history and culture. Interpretive displays describe the lives and times of leading San Joaquin Valley African- American literature. Open Wednesday through Friday, 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m.; weekends, from 11:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Groups of 10 or more should call in advance for tours.

This genealogy library and museum traces the history of Fresno's Russian immigrants of German decent. Included in the museum's collection is antique furniture form early Fresno and tools, utensils, clothing and baskets brought over from Russia. German lessons are offered the first Saturday of the month, September to May. Open weekdays, noon-4:00p.m.; Saturday, 9:30a.m.-noon; and be appointment.

Artifacts from Fresno's Danish immigrants make up this small museum. Photographs and memorabilia highlight the community's history. A library contains Danish books and genealogical information. Open Wednesday, from 1:30p.m. to 4:00p.m.

People of all ages can enjoy exploring the mysteries of the natural world through hands-on exhibits at The Discovery Center. Highlights include the 150-variety Cactus Garden, Native American artifacts, and live animals, including rabbits, mice, desert tortoises and a coyote. The Rock Room features gems and minerals. Interactive science exhibits and dioramas depict ecosystems from the valley floor to the mountains. The six-acre park surrounding the center offers a picnic area and a pond with turtles and goldfish. During summer, the center features Saturday evening Star Parties with slide shows and telescope-viewing beginning at 8:00p.m. Open daily, 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

The Fresno Art Museum is the areas only modern art museum. Featuring up to 22 exhibits per year in its eight galleries, the museum displays American sculpture, California art, Mexican art and works on paper. Collections include Ansel Adams photographs, Robert Cremean sculpture, French post-Impressionist graphics and pre-Columbian Mexican sculpture. Area hands-on art program for children offered on Saturdays, from 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m., and following school group tours. Performing arts and theater grams are held in Bonner Auditorium. There is a gift shop on the premise. Docent-led, group tours are available by calling two weeks in advance. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. weekends, noon-5:00p.m.

Located in the Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Located in the old Fresno Bee building, "the Met: features a collection of Ansel Adams prints, Chinese and Asian artifacts, and American and European paintings. Its extensive historical collection includes an exhibit of more than 200 artifacts pertaining to Fresno's famous native son, author William Saroyan. The museum hosts traveling exhibits, lectures, workshops and living performances. There is a hands-on science gallery for kids, and children's art workshops are available. Open daily 11:00a.m.- 5:00p.m.

This turn-of-the-century, French Renaissance house was built by raisin baron Martin Theodore Kearney, and influential developer of the Fresno- area raisin industry. Visitors approach the elegant estate along a nine- mile, palm lined driveway. The beautifully restored, mansion retains many of its original turn-of-the-century European furnishings. The antique office equipment Kearney used in managing his vast agricultural empire is displayed and some of Kearney's clothing is on view in one of the furnished bedrooms. Tours are offered Friday through Sunday at 1:00p.m., 2:00p.m., and 3:00p.m.

Built in 1889 by Dr. Thomas Richard Meux, this is one of Fresno's oldest and best-preserved family homes. Owned and maintained by the city since 1970, the house is exemplary of Victorian architecture. It boasts dozens of custom features, including an octagonal master bedroom, a turreted roof and intricate gingerbread ornamentation. On view inside the house are many original furnishings, several period pieces, Dr. Meux's Confederate uniform and exhibits recounting Meux family history. Open Friday to Sunday, noon-3:30p.m.

Madera

Madera County Historical Society Museum
673-0291
210 W. Yosemite Ave. between Gateway Dr. and Hwy. 99

This museum is housed in the granite Madera County Courthouse. Built in 1900, the three floors feature a variety of exhibits relating to the region's logging, farming and mining history. One of the 19 rooms is filled with the Native American artifacts. You'll see likenesses of a miner's cabin, a blacksmith shop, a country store and a Victorian bedroom and parlor. One exhibit gives an idea of how the city looked at the turn of the century. The museum's other exhibits include the restored courtroom, a stagecoach, farm equipment and a section of the flume once used by the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company. Open Saturday and Sunday, 1:00p.m.-4:30p.m.

Mariposa

California State Mining and Mineral Museum
742-7625
Mariposa County Fairground
Fairgrounds Rd. off Hwy. 49

Minerals that have made California the No. 1 state in non-fuel mineral extraction--copper, lead, silver, semiprecious stones--are highlighted at this specialized museum. Benitoite, the state gemstone, and serpentine, the state rock, are among the displays. You'll also see Butte County diamonds and Monterey County jade. A hard-rock mine exhibit leads visitors 150 feet into a hillside to dioramas depicting drilling an mine construction. Open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00a.m.-6:00p.m., May through September. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m., October through April.

This local history center features a re-created 1850's street, with a newspaper office, a sheriff's office, an assay office, a saloon, a drugstore, a schoolroom, wagons and carriages. A historic stamp mill, which crushed and separated gold from quartz, is displayed along with a hand-operated printing press and a re-constructed Native American village with bark houses and a sweatlodge. Open daily, 10:00a.m.-4:3Op.m., April through October; open weekends, 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m., November, December, February and March. Closed in January.

Northfork

Sierra Mono Museum
877-2115
North Fork and Auberry Rds.

Built and operated by the Mono tribe, this museum is one of the finest of its kind in California. Highlights include wildlife exhibits, a basket collection and displays describing how the branches of sourberry and redbud bushes are prepared for weaving. Other collections represent ancient and contemporary Native American crafts, artifacts, foods, medicines and tools. The museum offers classes in bead work. Call fro information on the annual Indian Fair Days, held the first weekend in August, where you can sample foods and watch crafts demonstrations. Open Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m.

Reedley

Reedley Museum
638-1913
1752 10th St. west of G St.

Yokuts Indian artifacts and turn-of-the-century antiques form the area's early settlers are on display in this history museum. Exhibits include a wheat wagon and antique fire equipment. Open Tuesday, 9:00a.m.- 11:00a.m.; Sunday, 1:00p.m.-3:00p.m.

Sanger

Sanger Depot Museum
875-4720
1770 7th St. between Hoag and West Aves.

This historical museum is housed in the 95-year-old Sanger Railroad Depot. Rotating exhibits highlight local history. Permanent exhibits include a collection of Native American basketry and pioneer artifacts. There is an Old Main Street exhibit and a re-created Victorian house reminiscent of 19th-century Sanger. A section of an antique redwood flume recalls the logging days that gave this town its start. Open Friday, 9:30a.m.-12:30p.m.; Sunday, 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m.