Join us on Saturday, January 25, as we celebrate Gold Discovery Day.

At 11:30 a.m. in the museum theater, docent Ed Allen will be speaking on the gold discovery that kicked off the California Gold Rush in 1848. Learn about some of the major players in that drama including James W. Marshall, John A. Sutter, and Samuel Brannen.

Visit the Carpenter Shop to learn about timberframing techniques from Jason Smith, who helped build the reproduction mill now in the park. Park staff will also be on hand to talk about the park's milling operations and woodworking projects.

At 1 p.m., master quilt maker and docent Susan Webb will be sharing information on the history and art of quilting at the Coloma Schoolhouse. The lecture will be followed at 1:30 p.m. by a work session. Materials will be provided for participants to get hands on experience in quilting.

In celebration of the centennial of the passage of the 19th amendment, which guarantees and protects women’s constitutional right to vote, Marshall Gold Discovery SHP will host a year-long exploration of the domestic skills historically performed by women. On the second Saturday of each month, the history and techniques of a domestic skill will be explored and demonstrated. Materials and instruction will be provided to participants who wish to learn or hone their skills in that discipline.

One of Susan Webb’s handmade quilts will be on display each month of 2020 during the workshop sessions. Opportunity drawing tickets for a chance to win the quilt will be available each month with the final drawing for the quilt occurring in January 2021. Proceeds will benefit the Gold Discovery Park Association (GDPA), the cooperating association for Marshall Gold Discovery SHP, and stay in the park to fund educational programs.