Ag museum closing in March
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The California Agriculture Museum in Woodland will close at the end of March as its staff prepares to move it to an undetermined site. All the tractors and ag equipment will go into storage until a new location is ready, Executive Director Cecilia Gonzalez confirmed on Wednesday.
“The board is still making its decision on what’s the best move and venue for us,” Gonzalez said. It will most likely be in storage for two years.
She said they want to continue offering tours via private bookings, “and hopefully put some of the exhibits online or into a video that anyone can watch and enjoy until we reopen.”
The California Agriculture Museum is home to the Heidrick Tractor Collection, started in 1930 by farm machinery inventor and restorer Fred Heidrick Sr. of Woodland (1913-2001). A family foundation opened the Heidrick Ag History Museum in 1997. In 2008, it became a nonprofit that relied on admission, events and donations. (Admission has been free since March). Though it was renamed the California Agriculture Museum in 2015, it receives no public funds.
According to its website, “The California Agriculture Museum & Event Center is home to the nation’s most unique collection of tractors and artifacts. Interactive exhibits and special events tell the history of farm to fork, dating back to the Gold Rush era.”
The museum is at 1958 Hays Lane in Woodland. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through March 30.