Children's Museums

Bernhard Museum

Name: Bernhard Museum
Address: 291 Auburn Folsom Rd, Auburn, CA 95603, Auburn, CA, US
Telephone: (530) 889-6500
Rating: 4.9

★★★★☆ 4.9 (87 reviews)

📍 291 Auburn Folsom Rd, Auburn, CA 95603

📞 (530) 889-6500

🌐 www.placer.ca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Bernhard-Museum-77

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	1–4 PM
Wednesday	1–4 PM
Thursday	1–4 PM
Friday	1–4 PM
Saturday	11 AM–4 PM
Sunday	11 AM–4 PM

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About Bernhard Museum

Local museum in a hotel built in 1851. Museum of life in the mid-19th-century in an old hotel, with artifacts & furnishings from that era. The museum is housed in an inn built in 1851 during the Gold Rush era, making it a primary historical artifact itself that visitors can tour. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 87 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Historical Museum
Built: 1851 as Traveler's Rest Hotel
Highlights: Victorian farmhouse, winery, historic wagons, Gold Rush-era artifacts
Admission: Free
Hours: Tue-Fri 1-4 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM-4 PM

💡 Did You Know?

🏛️The museum is housed in an inn built in 1851 during the Gold Rush era, making it a primary historical artifact itself that visitors can tour
⭐The museum features well-preserved artifacts dating back to 1805, spanning nearly two centuries of California history
⭐The site includes a restored 1874 winery and restored 1881 wine processing building, representing the evolution of Auburn's economy from Gold Rush to agricultural development
⭐The museum offers a specialized 3rd Grade Living History Program as a special event, allowing students to experience mid-19th-century life firsthand
⭐The museum maintains a 4.9-star rating from 87 reviews with consistently high praise for knowledgeable docents (mentioned 7 times in reviews), indicating strong educational quality

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Book a docent-led tour instead of self-guiding — reviewers consistently praised the knowledgeable docents whose storytelling and personal connections to the home's history made the experience significantly more engaging and memorable.
💬Plan to spend 1.5-2 hours for a thorough visit. The docent tours provide access to normally restricted areas like the upstairs, offering a more complete experience than grounds-only self-guided visits.
💡Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds — the venue has a dedicated picnic area and allows photography on the property with registration, making it ideal for a full afternoon visit combining learning with outdoor dining.
💡Ideal for families with 3rd graders — the museum offers a specialized 3rd Grade Living History Program that brings historical learning to life, with interactive elements like grinding wheat into flour that deeply engage younger learners.
💬The museum is completely free admission, making it an excellent value for families interested in California Gold Rush and Victorian-era history without budget constraints.