Sacramento Valley Museum History

The Sacramento Valley Museum was the dream of a very determined lady by the name of Lulu Salter of Williams, who was a charter member of the Colusi Historical society and served on the board for twelve years.

In 1962 at the age of 75 years, she learned that the Williams school trustees were willing to lease the old Williams High School, built in 1911, for a museum and proposed that the society under take the project.

The building had been vacant for 8 years, the roof leaked, the plaster had fallen, 40 window panes were broken and the bats and pigeons had moved in.  The Historical Society decided against the location.  “Lou’ was dejected but not undaunted and with zeal for the project and her own charisma, she convinced a number of local citizens that the task, could be and should be done and the Sacramento Valley Museum was formed.

With volunteer labor and private contributions, the building was repaired, artifacts collected and the museum was opened in 1963, just one year later. Thus Mrs. Salter, who campaigned so ardently for the betterment of Williams, was privileged to see a dream of a lifetime come true with the establishment of a museum, a monument to the California heritage.

The Museum is open March through mid November, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 4 PM and by Appointment. The Museum is closed for the winter.