BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

 

 Exhibits housed in the 1850s original Benicia Arsenal buildings,

offering educational tours of the Museum buildings

“The history of California is written in the story of Benicia.”

Sharing the story of Benicia's place in the history of California

Host your events here

Charles P. Stone Hall and Spenger Garden are ideal locations to celebrate weddings, receptions, birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, holiday events, and more
More about our rental areas

Tour the Museum Buildings & Exhibits

The Benicia Historical Museum offers educational  and group tours of the Museum buildings and exhibits, housed in the 1850s original Benicia Arsenal buildings.
Group Tours

Museum Exhibits

The Museum’s main gallery features exhibits on Benicia’s history with such topics as: the native Patwins of Solano County, the founding of Benicia and California, the Gold Rush, The Benicia Arsenal, manufacturing, and the arts.
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Guided Tours

Guided tours of the Benicia Historical Museum are a great way to spend an afternoon in Benicia!

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Museum Exhibits

The Museum’s Industrial Exhibit is a separate gallery space dedicated to Benicia’s industrial legacy.
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Stone Hall

This historic building provides a charming setting for rentals of all sorts. A catering kitchen is available for food service. Tables and chairs are available to rent from the Museum.
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Spenger Garden

Come to the Garden Party” may be your invitation to your friends and family, if you choose to engage the lovely Spenger Memorial Garden for your event
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Educational Tours

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Why camel barns?

The name, Camel Barn Complex, comes from a unique chapter in Benicia’s contribution to US Military history. In the 1850’s and 1860’s, the US Army experimented using camels, imported from the Mideast, as pack animals. When the experiment was abandoned after the Civil War, the camels were brought to the Benicia Arsenal for auction
About Us

Our Legacy

Honoring our military history and those who serve and have served our nation


Regular Museum Operating Hours:

Wednesday – Sunday, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Please be advised that during the summer months the Museum may close without notice due to high temperatures or a heat or air quality advisory, as the Museum level of our building does not have air conditioning.

Thank you for your understanding.

Online Archives
Contact us now

Need research assistance? Our historians can help!  Contact us for more information.

(Fees may apply)

The exhibits, education programs, and community activities presented by the Benicia Historical Museum are made possible in part through the generous donations of the community

Won’t you join us in preserving our city’s important contributions to local and nation history?

Click here for information on how to donate

News & Notes

at the Camel Barns

Ferry Service in Benicia

by Beverly Phelan  Ferry service in Benicia dates back to 1847 after Robert Semple and Thomas Larkin purchased the City’s section of the Suscol Grant from Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. One of the conditions set by Vallejo for the sale of the land...

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Majestic Theater

Majestic Theater

by Beverly Phelan The Majestic Theatre in Downtown Benicia opened with great fanfare on February 23, 1920.  By 7:30 PM – opening time – there were more than 1200 people waiting to be admitted, with only half of the people fortunate enough to get in at the first show!...

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Benicia’s Gold Rush Story

Benicia’s Gold Rush Story

"Benicia's Gold Rush Story" showcases artifacts, narratives, and maps highlighting Benicia's significant role in the California Gold Rush. Artifacts include items uncovered at the von Pfister dig site, gold mining tools and objects, assaying equipment, maps, and an...

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The Museum serves the community in many ways.

Click the links below to learn more about what the Museum has to offer.

We share the story of Benicia in the history of California

ABOUT US
The Benicia Historical Museum shares the story of Benicia’s place in the history of California and how this history relates to the development of our country pre- and post statehood.
ABOUT US
The Benicia Historical Museum shares the story of Benicia’s place in the history of California and how this history relates to the development of our country pre- and post statehood.
ABOUT US

Benicia’s history, the Gold Rush, manufacturing, the arts and more...

EXHIBITS

Benicia’s history, the Gold Rush, manufacturing, the arts and more...

EXHIBITS

Benicia’s history, the Gold Rush, manufacturing, the arts and more...

EXHIBITS

EDUCATIONAL & PRIVATE TOURS

 
TOURS

EDUCATIONAL & PRIVATE TOURS

TOURS

EDUCATIONAL & PRIVATE TOURS

TOURS

HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT HERE

 
RENTAL HALL

HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT HERE

 
RENTAL HALL

BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION VENUE

GARDEN
Come to the Garden Party” may be your invitation to your friends and family, if you choose to engage the lovely Spenger Memorial Garden for your event.
GARDEN
Come to the Garden Party” may be your invitation to your friends and family, if you choose to engage the lovely Spenger Memorial Garden for your event.
GARDEN

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING AND CURRENT EVENTS

EVENTS
   
EVENTS

In addition to helping the Museum membership has many benefits

Click below for more info

MEMBERSHIPS

In addition to helping the Museum membership has many benefits

   
MEMBERSHIP
GIFT SHOP
 
ARCHIVES

ARCHIVES

ARCHIVES
ARCHIVES
 
SUPPORT US
   
SUPPORT US

People love us on Trip Advisor

“The Benicia Historical Museum Is a Gem. So much to see and I learned so much about Benicia and California, and I am a native to California. The permanent and traveling exhibits, just wonderful. The Docent was so knowledgeable. I just loved how quaint it was. “

Click Here For Testimonials!

For additional information

contact the Museum Office at:

707-745-5435

Tuesday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

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Admission:

$5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors and Students, $2 for Children
Free entry with Military Identification
Free entry first Wednesday of every month

Getting Here:

2060 Camel Road, Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 745-5435 info@beniciahistoricalmuseum.org

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Volunteer Positions

The Museum has volunteer Internship positions available!
Click here for more information

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Historic Benicia

Download a map of Historic Benicia
Includes Downtown and the Arsenal District

Join Our Mailing List!

Please send me notices regarding upcoming museum events

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To learn more about Benicia and the Benicia Historical Museum please listen to the National Public Radio broadcast compiled by Jack Wolf, the City of Benicia’s Public Relations Consultant and featuring the Museum’s Executive Director, Elizabeth d’Huart.