Honoring the Heritage: The Maidu Museum & Historic site reflects Roseville's roots

The Maidu Museum & Historic Site in Roseville, located on 1970 Johnson Ranch Drive, preserves a 3,000-year-old Nisenan Maidu village site featuring hundreds of ancient petroglyphs and bedrock mortars along a scenic trail. The museum showcases indigenous history, culture and contemporary art, serving as a vital center for education and native, community and cultural preservation. In 1973, the City of Roseville purchased the land and included it in Maidu Regional Park. That same year, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places at the Strap Ravine Nisenan Maidu Indian Site. Founded on February 13, 2010, through a collaborative effort led by local resident Myron Zents, Nisenan elder Hickey Murray and Roseville Parks Director Ed Mahany to preserve and protect a significant ancient Nisenan Maidu village site from being destroyed by urban development during rapid expansions as archaeological surveys ahead of development projects uncovered extensive evidence of native occupation. "The museum has been offering tours since the 1980s for Roseville residents, working to preserve and accurately share the Maidu history and culture of the Nisenan people," Interpretive Services Program Leader Alizabeth Stavans said. "Over the last 16 years there has been a push and emphasis to make sure that the museum is an organization that not only teaches the history of Native American culture, but also to be a space where Indigenous people can share their story and experiences." The Maidu Museum offers private tours and elementary school tours, as well as hosting a contemporary art gallery by local artists, and cultural events including their upcoming event "Yoomén: A Celebration of Spring" on Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this a free to the public event bringing together Indigenous communities to share traditions and celebrate the coming of warmer weather including Native dances, tool/basket demonstrations, children's crafts, game stations and guided tours of the petroglyphs. "It's really important that visitors of the museum walk away understanding that Indigenous people are still alive, that in spite of what has been done to the community, and in an attempt to erase history, culture and traditions, that they are still practicing, celebrating and living out their culture," Stevens said. For more information on the Museum, upcoming events or how to book a guided tour visit www.roseville.ca.gov/maidu_museum_historic_site/index.php