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For Immediate Release

July 16, 2024

 

Contacts:

Megan Villapudua, 916-801-3175

mvillapudua@csrmf.org

California State Railroad Museum Foundation

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California State Railroad Museum and Foundation are proud to partner with Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum (SOJO) on community engagement in July that will result in the installation of a vibrant mural inside the Railroad Museum this fall. Interested community members are invited to participate in "Community Mural Input Sessions" that will be facilitated by SOJO on Saturday, July 20, at 10 a.m. and Friday, July 26, at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of the engagement sessions is to gather input from the community that reflects the oral stories and images of the railroad and how it has impacted our lives for generations. With overarching themes that highlight innovation and invention along with the concept of past, present and future, the community mural will be showcased by 2D and 3D art, land/earth artistry, and technology-centered art.

“At SOJO, our creative team is excited to bring this project and its stories to life. Our goal is to highlight and preserve BIPOC's history and culture and their contributions to California history and promote cultural pride, particularly among our children,” said Shonna McDaniel, a dedicated artist/activist who promotes creativity and social change. She is enthusiastic about presenting her vision for the new mural installation to the California State Railroad Museum.

The mural will be painted – with the help of the community – on September 14-15 on or near the sycamore-shaded lawn just across from the Railroad Museum. Shortly thereafter, the finished mural will be installed in the museum’s second floor gallery space.

“You cannot talk about the history of railroading without talking about invention and innovation,” said Dr. Ty Smith, Museum Director of the California State Railroad Museum. “Inventors, amateur and professional, toiled to make railroads safer, more efficient, and more comfortable. And these inventors were as diverse as they were talented. Women, African Americans, and immigrants from all over the globe, played significant roles. This community mural will help focus on these past contributions and it will also serve as a backdrop for the Museum's STEM education hub. The California State Railroad Museum is not merely a history museum, it is a place that helps people imagine their futures, through understanding our collective past.”

The community engagement sessions are free to attend and will take place in the Stanford Gallery, located at 111 I Street at the Old Sacramento Waterfront (which is adjacent to the Railroad Museum). While not required, advance RSVPs are appreciated via this link. Another way to share railroad stories with the California State Railroad Museum is to submit them at www.californiarailroad.museum/my-story.

More information about Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum is available at www.sojoartsmuseum.org. And more information about the California State Railroad Museum or Foundation, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.

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About Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum

Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum (SOJO) offers programs and services that educate youth, families, and the community about diversity, inclusion, and history by engaging them in hands-on art-making, cultural opportunities, and educational experiences. Our mission is to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history, experiences, and culture through art and wellness education and outreach.

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The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

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About the California State Railroad Museum Foundation

The mission of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation (CSRMF) is to generate revenue and awareness on behalf of its destinations, while supporting the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of our railroad heritage. The Foundation provides funding for ongoing support of numerous programs, both at the museum's Old Sacramento location and at the historic park in Jamestown, Calif. For more information, please visit www.californiarailroad.museum.