Angels Camp Museum Foundation» Angels Camp Museum Foundation

Mark Twain 1880 Letter

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 02:33:23 +0000

Mark Twain 1880 Letter

A letter written by Mark Twain to a young lady in Angels Camp.

Hogarth Stamp Mill

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:15:25 +0000

Stamp Mill Dedication

On Saturday July 30, 20011 after more than two years of effort, the Angels Camp Museum dedicated its new historic five-stamp mill as part of its mining exhibit. The huge mill likely dates back to the late 19th century, but was first recorded in 1920 when it was purchased by Harry Hogarth as part of the Relief Quartz Mine. It was moved later in the 20th century and then purchased by the city before eventually ending up at the Angels Camp Museum.

The Native Sons of the Golden West were on hand for the ceremony, including Grand President, David Allen, and Director of Historical Research, Barney Noel. Museum Commission Chair Bob Petithomme was charged with the ribbon cutting. A single operational stamp mill was on display next to the five-stamp mill, and the original five horse power engine that powered the larger mill was loaned for the day by the Ghiglieri Ranch. The single stamp mill was turned on to signal the ribbon cutting and lend its loud rhythmic thumping sound to the festivities. More than 60 people, including surviving relatives of Harry Hogarth, were on hand for the unveiling. Family member, Richard Serra of Vallecito, donated the monument for the plaque. Refreshments were provided by the Museum Foundation.

Newspaper article links to the event can be found here:

The Union-Democrat

http://www.uniondemocrat.com/20110801104311/News/Local-News/Historic-Hogarth-Stamp-Mill-display-unveiled

Record.net

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110731/A_NEWS/107310325/-1/A_COMM02

Hogarth Stamp Mill Plaque

Gold Panning Exhibit

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:06:57 +0000

Children learning to pan for gold.

This interactive exhibit allows both children and adults to experience the gold panning techniques used by the prospectors of the 1840s and 1850s. Participants will learn about the challenges of the Gold Rush era from a museum docent as well.

This activity is an additional charge of $5.00 per person (for both children and adults).

Fun at the Gold Panning Exhibit

The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:13:22 +0000

Enjoy this vintage movie clip from the 1950s of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”.

Famous frog-jumping contest memorialized in Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” Newsreel story presenting the 100th anniversary of the contest.
This movie is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives
Producer: Universal-International Newsreel

The Mark Twain Exhibit

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:36:33 +0000

The New Mark Twain Exhibit

This exhibit opened on May 1, 2010 at the Angels Camp Museum. The exhibit chronicles the early life of Samuel Clemens as he transformed himself into the legendary writer and humorist Mark Twain. The exhibit attempts to shines a light on how Twain used the story he heard while in Angels Camp in 1865 about an amazing jumping frog and translated it into his famous short story “The Amazing Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” This story launched his career as a nationally known humorist and writer that eventually made him America’s most famous novelist and humorist of the late Nineteenth and early 20th Centuries.

A special exhibit created in recognition of this world famous author whose stories have given Angels Camp a unique and lasting identity. This exhibit has been developed in cooperation with the distinguished Mark Twain Boyhood Museum, Hannibal Missouri, the U.C. Berkeley Bancroft Library, and leading Mark Twain scholar, Dr. Gregg Camfield at U.C. Merced.