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The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 in an opulent Victorian home and bears the distinction of being the first public art museum west of the Mississippi. This 130,000-square-foot cultural institution on Sacramento’s historic waterfront has become one of California’s top art attractions, featuring over 15,000 items ranging from ancient ceramics to cutting-edge modern installations. Gwathmey Siegel & Associates built the museum’s spectacular 2010 Teel Family Pavilion extension, which brought modernist architectural beauty to the previous Gilded Age grandeur.

Historical Foundations & Architectural Marvel

The Crocker Family Legacy

In 1868, railroad tycoon Edwin B. Crocker began collecting European masters.
Construction of Crocker Mansion (now the original museum wing) was finished in 1872.
1885: Family bequeaths collection/mansion to the city with a $100,000 endowment.
1913: The first major expansion includes gallery spaces.

Architectural Timeline

Year	Development	Architect	Style
1872	Original Mansion	Seth Babson	Italianate
1913	First Expansion	Leonard Starks	Beaux-Arts
2010	Teel Pavilion	Gwathmey Siegel	Modernist

Notable Architectural Features

The original residence included a hand-carved walnut staircase.
Teel Pavilion features a 35-foot glass atrium.
“Flying” third floor cantilevered over the courtyard.
Acoustically ideal concert hall.

Main Attractions at Crocker Art Museum

Permanent Collection Highlights

California Art Collection (1848-Present)

Gold Rush Era Masterpieces

“Sunday Morning in the Mines” (Charles Christian Nahl).
“Sutter’s Mill” (Albert Bierstadt’s preliminary sketches)
200+ works documenting westward expansion.

Contemporary California Visionaries

Wayne Thiebaud’s “Riverbank Sunset”
Ruth Asawa’s Wire Sculptures
Joan Brown is a feminist artist.

European Masters Collection

17th and 19th century paintings:

“Portrait of a Young Man” (Frans Hals Workshop).
Tintoretto depicted biblical subjects.
Boucher’s Pastoral Studies

19th-century drawings:

Degas’ ballet sketches.
Delacroix’s Wildlife Studies

Global Ceramics Collection

2,000+ pieces span 4,000 years.

Highlights:

Ming Dynasty Porcelain
Pre-Columbian effigy vessels.
Contemporary ceramic sculptures.

African & Oceanic Art

Yoruba masks (from Nigeria).
Asmat ancestor poles (New Guinea).
San rock art replicas.

Signature Exhibition Spaces

Gallery	Focus	Notable Features
Ballroom Gallery	Temporary exhibitions	Original 1872 ballroom
Third Floor Contemporaries	Emerging artists	Panoramic city views
Toddler Gallery	Children’s interactive	Magnetic art walls
Sculpture Courtyard	Outdoor installations	Drought-tolerant landscaping

Cutting-Edge Visitor Experiences

Interactive Technology

AR Gallery Guide: App-based artist interviews.
Digital Drawing Studio allows for touchscreen art creation.
“Meet the Conservator” livestreams.

Educational Programs

Artful meditation (mindfulness sessions)
Weekly sketching sessions at the Galleries.
Teen Artist Council (a youth curating program).

Special Events & Community Engagement

Annual Signature Events

ArtMix (21+ evening series with live music)
Crocker Ball (a black-tie fundraising gala)
Holiday Craft Fair with 150+ artisan booths.

Unique Offerings

Wedding packages in the Sculpture Garden
Corporate Collection Consultations
Art bike tours along the riverfront.

Visitor Information

Hours & Admission

Wednesday-Sunday: 10am-5pm (Thursdays until 9pm)
Adults pay $15.
Student/Senior: $10.
Children aged 6 to 17: $8.
Free admission days: first Sundays.

Amenities

Artful Café serves seasonal California cuisine.
Museum Store (artist-designed items)
Sketching stools are available for checkout.

Why the Crocker Art Museum Matters

The oldest public art museum in the western United States.
Unparalleled California’s art historical record
Architectural conversation between the 19th and 21st centuries.
Groundbreaking educational programs
Initiatives promoting free community access

The Crocker Art Museum showcases the progression of art, from Gold Rush-era paintings to modern LED works. This cultural institution honors its philanthropic beginnings while pushing boundaries, demonstrating that even in California’s state capitol, strong creative expression can lead to powerful legislation. Whether you come to see the masters, the moderns, or just to sketch in the sunlit courtyards, the Crocker offers an art experience as dynamic as California itself.

Cost: From $8
Phone: (916) 808-7000
Email: cam@crockerart.org
Website: www.crockerart.org
Address: Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Location Map: