Built in 1903 by local pioneer Hiram Penniman, Shadelands Ranch Museum is now home to a selection of artifacts showcasing the history of Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County. Many of the artifacts housed in the Shadelands Ranch Museum, like clothing and household items, belonged to the Penniman family, but here you can also peruse historic government records, photographs and newspaper clippings. Research local history in the Sherwood Burgess Room, which is open to the public Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors to the Shadelands Ranch Museum are generally astounded by how well-preserved the house and its furnishings are. The Shadelands Ranch Museum is closed seasonally for maintenance from November 1 to the first Sunday in February, but hosts holiday events. Shadelands Ranch Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

Shadelands Ranch Museum
2660 Ygnacio Valley Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
(925) 935-7871
walnutcreekhistory.info
www.yelp.com/biz/shadelands-ranch-museum-walnut-creek

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/bansidhe