Sutter County Museum reports higher visitation, new permanent exhibits and grants in FY 24–25

Molly Bloom, director and curator of the Sutter County Museum, updated the Board of Supervisors on fiscal year 2024–25 accomplishments on July 22, telling the board the museum welcomed more than 7,500 visitors despite reduced open hours and produced six temporary exhibits and expanded programming.

Bloom said the museum—operated as a partnership between Sutter County and the Sutter County Museum Association (a 501(c)(3))—completed new permanent exhibits on the Nisenan people, the Gold Rush and Yuba–Sutter floods with support from a three-year grant from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment. She also cited grant support from California Humanities for a local Black history exhibit and credited the Museum Association, the city of Yuba City and the United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria for substantial financial and in-kind support.

Bloom reported approximately 4,000 volunteer hours from about 45 volunteers, 120 free public programs and an increase in Edel Hall rental revenue. She said the museum is developing an online searchable portal for its photo collection (about 8,000 photographs) to improve public access and reduce staff time responding to research requests. “Our mission as the Sutter County Museum is to share local stories, to strengthen community bonds, to inspire the celebration of our diverse cultural heritage,” Bloom said during the presentation.

Supervisors praised the museum’s programming and community partnerships; no board action was required beyond receiving the presentation.