I graduated from Sac State in 1999 (please don’t do the math) with my BA in History and my credential in secondary education. While my love of teaching high school only lasted four years, my passion for history and admiration for Sac and Placer Counties has only increased. Feel free to call me a nerd, but one of my favorite places to visit is the California State Railroad Museum (and if being a train-loving nerd is good enough for Sheldon Cooper, then it’s good enough for me).
Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong decade. I’d happily trade in a Starbucks cup of coffee for an elegant tea cup and saucer any day. And while I may live my life in jeans, t-shirts, and long cardigans, I dream of drop-waisted dresses heavily beaded straight from the screen of Downton Abbey. So it’s no wonder that a day at the railroad museum is – pardon the pun – my cup of tea. It’s like stepping into the past and leaving behind your laptop, smartphone, and the worries of the coronavirus. I know, life was hardly perfect and idyllic 100+ years ago, but some aspects I can’t help but envy.
My favorite feature of this museum is the passenger car from the “golden age” which was around the 1900’s to the 1940’s. This is the epitome of elegance: polished silver glimmering, fine china meticulously displayed, and velvet seats plush and welcoming. I can picture the most dapper and wealthy individuals of the time sipping tea, gossiping about high society, and staff members rushing to and fro delivering fine morsels of cake and cookies.
I also love the working aspect of the railroad that reminds me of where we came from. My grandmother and her family were Japanese strawberry farmers before World War II and I appreciate the honor that this museum gives to the farmers and how the produce was transported miles away to support agriculture. My husband is Hispanic and when we visited this museum with my in-laws, my mother-in-law shared stories of her family and their contributions to farming. I had no idea about this part of their past and it was wonderful to hear.
When you do visit the railroad museum, don’t forget to live the adventure. Schedule a ride on the Sacramento Southern Railroad. This feature is fully staffed by an all-volunteer crew that has been fully trained and certified under Federal Railroad Administration regulations. You’ll cruise parallel to the river while the warm air cools you down in these open air cars. It’s a relaxing trip that gives you an opportunity to see a different side of Sacramento.
Sacramento is a city filled with hidden gems, fantastic neighborhoods, and opportunities for exploration. If you’re thinking about moving to this incredible city, give the Rick Fuller Team a call. We live here and want to help you find the perfect home for you.
