California State Parks Invites Public Input on Transforming Interpretive Program at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Contact:
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
Photo from California State Parks
SACRAMENTO —California State Parks invites the public to attend an upcoming workshop or complete an online survey to provide input on a Draft Concept Plan for transforming the interpretive experience at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP). State Parks will hold two workshops this month – in-person on March 14 and virtually on March 25 – on the Draft Concept Plan, which defines a vision for where and how the stories and ideas from the 2024 Interpretation Master Plan are realized at the Fort.
Project Background
The Draft Concept Plan is the latest milestone in an ongoing effort to create interpretive programs and exhibits at the park that provide inclusive and accurate explorations of history as part of the Reexamining Our Past Initiative. The Draft Concept Plan builds off interpretive direction established by the Sutter’s Fort SHP Interpretation Master Plan (IMP), which was completed through robust engagement with Tribal partners, stakeholders, and the public. The development of the IMP included a long-overdue focus on indigenous experiences at the Fort, an analysis of the Fort’s lasting impacts, and its role in California’s complex history.
Request for Public Input
State Parks is hosting two workshops to collect public input on the Draft Concept Plan:
- An in-person workshop at Sutter’s Fort SHP, 2701 L Street, Sacramento, on March 14, from 2 to 4 p.m.
- A virtual workshop on March 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Register here.
The workshops will include presentations by State Parks staff and opportunities for submitting feedback on the draft plan. Both workshops will cover the same material to the extent possible. Details for joining the workshops can be found atparks.ca.gov/SuttersFort.
In addition to the workshops, State Parks is also launching an online survey on March 14 to provide another way for the public to share their insights. The survey will remain open through April 10, 2026, and will also be available at parks.ca.gov/SuttersFort.
About the Concept Plan
The goal of the Concept Plan is to envision the implementation of the interpretive themes and goals established by the IMP on the site, both within the footprint of the existing structure and extending to adjacent areas. The plan, which is being developed with Tribal consultation, recommends:
- Zones for organizing the interpretive themes and visitor experience.
- Strategies for interpreting the themes and stories identified in the IMP.
- Site improvements that invite visitors to engage more deeply with the site and each other.
Once finalized, the Concept Plan will serve as a foundation for the design and installation of new interpretive exhibits and experiences at Sutter’s Fort.
Sign up to receive future updates by visiting parks.ca.gov/SuttersFort.
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