Merced County Courthouse Museum

The Courthouse Museum houses 8500 square feet of exhibits which depict the history of Merced County as well as the settlers of the Great Central Valley. Permanent exhibits include, in part: a Chinese temple with altars dating from the 1870s, a blacksmith shop, turn-of-the-century schoolroom, Yokuts Indian artifacts, mercantile room, Surveyor’s and Treasurer’s office, City’s first fire engine, and the crowning jewel: the Superior Courtroom which was in active use until 1950. The museum also has an excellent rotating exhibit program which explores history and the humanities through diverse avenues. The museum is a primary source of history for area and state residents. Archives, an extensive photographic collection, artifacts, and preservation consulting are all available to the general public. Some services require a nominal fee. Additionally, special programming such as workshops, speakers, receptions, and booksignings are developed throughout the year, some in coordination with new exhibits. Museum gift shop has a good collection of local history books. Many of the books were published by the Merced County Historical Society..