Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush at the Park City Museum

The Tozer Gallery in Park City’s History Museum is hosting a temporary exhibit entitled “Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush” from September 12 until November 7.

Park City’s Silver Bonanza came nearly two decades after California’s gold rush of 1849 but silver was discovered in our mountains thanks to the curiosity and previous experience of the former miners from California, stationed at the newly built Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City.

The rush added to the diversity of area mainly inhabited by indigenous people and Californios, direct descendants of the Spanish explorers and soldiers. Americans from both northern and southern states ventured west to seek their fortunes as did slaves, if they got the chance. People came from all over the world, by land, by river and by sea.

The impact on California, no longer part of Mexico and not yet a state was overwhelming and consequential to the shaping of its future. 

This informative exhibit includes vintage photographs and storyboards depicting various events and issues brought about by the rush and cabinets containing toys, tools, and a model wearing typical work clothing of a prospector.

The Gold Fever! The Untold Stories of the California Gold Rush traveling exhibition tour was organized by Exhibit Envoy in partnership with the Cal Humanities.