Park Interpretation

The State Park and Recreation Commission (Commission) unanimously approved an amendment to the Sutter's Fort State Historic Park (SHP) General Plan at their meeting on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024. The amendment provides fundamental changes to how history is interpreted at the park. By approving the amendment, the Commission provided a new direction for the park’s interpretation program in line with the revised Interpretation Master Plan for the park. 

State Parks is expanding its interpretation beyond what was once a narrow focus on memorializing the people and events leading up to the gold discovery and its immediate aftermath per the 1979 general plan. Today’s efforts involve engaging in formal government-to-government tribal consultations, conducting archival research, and meeting with families whose history is connected to the Coloma Valley. This reflects a commitment to broadening the historical context and bringing forward those stories that were too often overlooked or marginalized in interpretation program and exhibits. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/MarshallGold. 

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park (SHP) released a statement acknowledging the impact of the mission on California Native American people and their commitment to creating a more welcoming and healing space.

State Parks is actively in consultation and conversation with local Tribal Nations to update and revise historic exhibits at Santa Cruz Mission SHP. 

One of these include the Virtual Bell exhibit, which was designed to help bring greater understanding to the diversity of interpretations of the El Camino Real or Missions Bells as symbols over time. In addition to online access, State Parks is developing a kiosk at Santa Cruz Mission SHP for park visitors to explore, thanks to funding by the Dolkas-Mertz Award.

Learn more at parks.ca.gov/bells.