Agricultural History Project Museum, Watsonville CA

Category & Type :

Activities

Location :

P.O. Box 1181 Watsonville, CA 95077 , Watsonville CA

http://www.aghistoryproject.org/ Call 831-724-5898 Use Promo Code: 378281 For Additional Discounts!

About Agricultural History Project Museum...

Discover the fascinating agricultural history of Santa Cruz County, Pajaro Valley and Watsonville

School groups and families from Santa Cruz County and all over the US spend hours exploring our educational exhibits, historical archives, and the agriculture research in the Codiga Center & Museum.

When you visit, be sure to stop by our charming gift shop “Country Corner!” We are located at the entrance to Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville, California. As you discover the rich agriculture history of Santa Cruz, Monterey and Pajaro Valley, you will learn about the crops, people, artifacts and farming practices that have made the Central Coast of California what it is today. Over 80 crops are grown in this area as a result of unique combination of soils and climates. From potatoes and wheat to lettuce and strawberries, the Central Coast has supplied the world's tables for over 150 years!

Educational kids' activities in
Santa Cruz County

A visit to AHP is a wonderful family activity; there is something for everyone. Your children will be engaged as they explore the tools, plows, tractors, implements, antique train, milk bottles and fruit jars of yesterday’s farming life.

Admission is free, but visitors are asked to help support the work of the Agriculture History Project (AHP) with a donation of $2 per person.

We welcome school tours and researchers to our agricultural archives, and we always looking for great volunteers with a love of history!
AHP's biggest fundraising event of the year, the 26th Annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday November 12th at the Crosetti Building on the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. This event brings us all together for an evening of
celebration and fun, and to participate in providing the majority of AHP's annual operating funds to "keep the lights on" and continue to host educational events highlighting the rich history of agriculture on the Central California Coast. Music by Sagebrush will kick off the party at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served at 7:00 pm with live auction to follow. Festivities will include a gourmet dinner prepared by Ken Schwan of Monterey Bay Caterers, three raffles, a fabulous silent auction, and exciting live auction. Enjoy the fast-paced fun of auctioneer, Terry Medina, as he tempts you with a spectacular variety of items including a cabin getaway in Alaska, a Disneyland Delight package, a holiday event at the Estrada Ranch, "Get the Scoop" ride along with a local reporter, and much more. AHP Raffle - Tickets are $1 each; $5 for six; or $20 for 27. First prize is a $250 gift certificate to Yosemite View Lodge; Second prize is $175 complete auto detailing from Watsonville Cadillac, Buick, GMC; and Third prize is $75 gift certificate to Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Beach Resort. Proceeds benefit AHP.

If you are unable to attend but would like to purchase raffle tickets or have any other questions, please call the AHP office at (831) 724-5898. Tickets can be purchased in advance for the following two raffles:

Gourmet Lunch at the Historic Castro Adobe - Tickets are $100 each and limited to only 100 chances sold. Proceeds benefit AHP and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Codiga Center & Museum

Potatoes and wheat were once major crops of the Central Coast of California. Today these fields are growing lettuce, strawberries and raspberries. Years ago, ships and railroads, not today’s trucks, transported the agricultural bounty to markets. Come and visit our museum to learn about the people and crops that made this area so unique.

AHP’s two story California style barn is home to our exhibits, research center, archives, and gift shop, the “Country Corner.”  Exhibits include “When Apples Were King,” the story of the once flourishing apple industry; “Pick Now, Eat Later,” food preservation methods for our bountiful production; “Legacy of the Vaqueros,” cattle from the Mission days to current times. There are also extensive fruit jar and milk bottle and dairy artifact displays.

The upstairs Santa Cruz County room archive houses a non-circulating collection of agricultural related books, photos and an extensive collection of USDA and UC Extension Service pamphlets. Research by appointment only.