museums continue to share solano, military history

Museums

continue to share Solano, military history

DAilY REpuBliC STAFF

Anyone who is interested in local history has no shortage of places to go to get a taste of what makes Solano County the place it is today. There are museums in Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo, Rio Vista, Benicia and in rural Suisun Valley – each with something different to offer.

Be sure to check with the museums as they reopen for new access requirements linked to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

travis heritage center

The Travis Heritage Center holds an extensive collection of aircraft and artifacts detailing the history of Travis Air Force Base, airlift, space exploration and military air power. Founded in 1983, the center is surrounded by an impressive collection of restored historic military aircraft that includes the B-29 Superfortress, a Vietnam-era B-52 Stratofortress, an F-4C phantom Fighter, a C-124 Globemaster ii, a C-47 Skytrain and an F-86 Sabre fighter. inside, there are exhibits containing artifacts, documents, aircraft models, uniforms, aircraft nose art and photos from the dawn of military air power in World War i to present-day military and humanitarian operations around the world. Due to post-9/11 security concerns, aviation lovers will need a base visitor’s pass to see the Travis Heritage Center. Location: Travis Heritage Center, 400 Brennan Circle, Travis Air Force Base

More inforMation: 707-424-5605, www.travisheritagecenter.org

american armory

museum

The American Armory Museum strives to educate future generations about, and impress upon them, the sacrifice, bravery and enduring significance of the u.S. military. Numerous vehicles are on display, with some available for rides. Various static displays are also set up to illustrate life in the field while in the armed forces. The museum features such military vehicles as the 1955 larc amphibious cargo hauler, the M35A2 cargo truck, the 1944 M5A4 artillery tractor, the M936A1 wrecker and recovery truck, the FV433 Abbot self-propelled artillery vehicle, the HET 1070 heavy equipment transport, an israeli M-5 half-track armored personnel carrier, a Ford GWp jeep, the M561 Gama Goat amphibious vehicle and the Super Mack heavy-duty truck. Ask in advance about ride fees. The museum opened in May 2016. Admission is free, although donations are accepted. Call for hours. Ride fees for vehicles are to be determined and are subject to change without notice. Location: 4144 Abernathy Road, rural Fairfield in Suisun Valley

More inforMation: 707-389-6846, info@AmericanArmoryMuseum.org, www.americanarmorymuseum.org.

Western railway

museum

Electric trains still rumble through rural eastern Solano County, just as they did some 75 years ago. Today, it’s all for fun, rather than providing mass transit between the Sacramento and Oakland areas. The Western Railway Museum runs classic trains on a portion of the old route near the Montezuma Hills. Volunteers care for the tracks, overhead electrical wires and old streetcars and trains. Visitors can go for a ride, explore dozens of restored streetcars and learn about the history of urban and interurban electric train services in Solano County and California. The F.M. Smith Memorial library features a circulating collection of books that are available to members. The library also hosts periodic activities and events. Location: 5848 Highway 12, between Suisun City and Rio Vista

Travis Heritage Center

More inforMation: 707-374-2978, www.wrm.org

Vacaville museum

Since it was established in 1984, the Vacaville Museum has prided itself

on preserving and educating the public about all of Solano County’s cultural and historical heritage. The museum has produced more than 40 exhibits on the area’s history, from American indian artifacts found in and around Vacaville to the region’s famous fruit industry. it does not offer any permanent exhibits and produces two temporary exhibits every year. it also hosts public events such as Sallie Fox Day, which teaches local schoolchildren about the life and times of California pioneer girl Sallie Fox. Location: 213 Buck Ave., Vacaville

More inforMation: 707-447-4513; www.vacavillemuseum.org

lagoon Valley/ pena adobe park/goheen‑ mowers museum

lagoon Valley/peña Adobe Regional park offers a mix of recreation and history, with hiking and biking trails, a lake for fishing, picnic areas, a dog park and the peña Adobe and the GoheenMowers Museum. The two parks, which cover more than 470 acres, are run by Vacaville and are located halfway between Fairfield and Vacaville on the south side of interstate 80. The 106-acre lagoon is the home to a considerable population of geese and ducks, as well as a nice backdrop for the many running and bicycling events that take place in the parking lot and use the trails that run through the surrounding hills. Historic peña Adobe was built in the 1840s by some of Vacaville’s first pioneers and hosts many spring and summertime youth parks programs. Both the adobe and the adjacent Goheen-Mowers Museum were renovated and reopened to the public more than a decade ago. Volunteers now offer demonstrations of early pioneer and American indian life the first Saturday of every month in conjunction with the Rush Ranch Educational Council. Location: Entrance to both Lagoon Valley Park and Peña Adobe on Peña Adobe Road just off Rivera Road, just west of Vacaville

More inforMation: Lagoon Valley Park: www.cityofvacaville.com/ index.aspx?page=375. Peña Adobe/ Goheen-Mowers Museum:

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Step back into history when you enter the Rio Vista Museum. local mementos from years gone by range among a wide array of artifacts – from photos and newspaper headlines to vehicles, farm equipment to clothing, books to kitchen items. Opened in 1975, it is in a converted blacksmith shop. Friendly and knowledgeable docents are available to answer any questions. Location: 16 N. Front St., Rio Vista

More inforMation: 707-374-5169, www.riovistamuseum.com

mare island

museum

The former Mare island Naval Shipyard was the first permanent naval installation on the West Coast when founded in 1854. it built more than 500 ships in its 142-year service to the united States before closing in 1996. Today, much of Mare island’s historical artifacts are carefully being preserved by the Mare island Historic park Foundation. it’s housed in Building 46, a 50,000-square-foot

More inforMation: 707-644-4746 or 707-280-5742; www. mareislandmuseum.org

Vallejo naval and historical museum

The Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum is a required stop for fans of local history and the Navy. The museum, which is located in Vallejo’s historic old City Hall, features five galleries devoted to the history and cultures of Vallejo and the u.S. Navy at Mare island. it also sponsors educational and cultural programs. it is a lot of history to cover, because Vallejo traces its roots to 1844 with the arrival of Gen. Mariano Vallejo, and Mare island Naval Shipyard traces its own history to 1852, when Congress bought the island. While three of the galleries are devoted to permanent exhibits, the other two offer a constantly changing menu of visiting exhibits pulled from other museums and private collections. One of its more unusual features is the working submarine periscope that can be found at the top of the

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Benicia Fire Museum

museum’s grand staircase, where visitors can get a sub’s-eye view of surrounding Vallejo. Location: 734 Marin St., Vallejo

More inforMation: 707-643-0077, www.vallejomuseum.org

Benicia fire

museum

lovers of antique fire equipment can see what is believed to be the first fire engine to arrive in California – the phoenix Engine – at the Benicia Fire Museum. The engine dates back to the 1820s and is owned by the Benicia Volunteer Firemen. The museum is also home to the Solano Engine, the first engine owned by the volunteer firemen. The Benicia Fire Museum houses many treasures of fire service equipment and hundreds of related items. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. Location: 900 E. Second St., Benicia

More inforMation: 707-745-1688, www.beniciafiremuseum.org DS