Empire Mine State Historic Park opened to the public on July 4th, 1976, and was officially classified as a State Historic Park in the California State Park System on October 7th, 1976. To celebrate the 50th anniversary park, commemoration activities will be scheduled from July 4th to October 10th.
Activities will continue to be scheduled; check back for additions!
Kickoff: July 4th Nevada County "History on Parade"
Come see Empire Mine's Equipment Demonstration Trailer in the Nevada City July 4th Parade, as part of the "Nevada County History on Parade" entry! Volunteers will also be walking in the parade dressed as significant people from Nevada County's history.
July 4th - October 7th: iNaturalist BioBlitz "50 Species for 50 Years"
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Empire Mine State Historic Park, we are challenging you to log 50 species in the park on iNaturalist! We will be accepting observations for this project from July 4th to October 7th, spanning the 50th anniversary of the park's opening and official classification.
50 Species for 50 Years · iNaturalist
There may be a prize at the end for those that complete this challenge!
October 10th: Empire Mine Family Reunion
Are you a descendent of someone who worked at Empire Mine? We will be hosting an Empire Mine Family Reunion on October 10th, with an oral history recording station, scanner set up to gather historical records and photos from the mining days, presentations by past staff and other activities relating to the mine's history.
The event is open to the public but we would love to have Empire Mine family connections register for the event. Please contact Park Interpreter Jean Rhyne at Jean.Rhyne@parks.ca.gov or (530) 686-7110.
TBD: Re-Dedication of the Hardrock Trail Self-Guided Brochure
TBD: Adventure Pass Day - Chinese Cultural History
TBD: Adventure Pass Day - Nisenan Culture and History