📌 4288 Cemetery Road, Taylorsville, CA 95983
📧 PO Box 194 Taylorsville, CA 95983
📱 (530) 284-1046
About
Indian Valley Museum
📍 Location: Corner of Main Street & Cemetery Road, Taylorsville, in the Mt. Jura Gem & Museum Society Building
🕰️ Hours: Saturdays & Sundays, 1 PM – 4 PM (May through last weekend in October)
Discover the rich tapestry of Indian Valley’s history at the Indian Valley Museum. Nestled in historic Taylorsville, this charming gem of a museum showcases the heritage of the Mountain Maidu people and the pioneering settlers, miners, ranchers and loggers who shaped the region.
Inside, explore:
- A traditional Maidu artifact room, featuring intricately woven baskets and cultural treasures
- Historical exhibits chronicling early settlers and industries from the 1850s onward—mining, ranching, and logging
- A spectacular gem & mineral room, showcasing local geological specimens and carvings
Outside, visitors can enjoy a hands-on look at antique tools, a blacksmith shop, dairy equipment, and even a 1932 fire engine housed in the museum annex.
The museum is not just a place to explore history—it’s an active hub of community connection. Each year, the Indian Valley Museum proudly hosts the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast ahead of the Taylorsville parade, serving up delicious food and festive spirit to locals and visitors alike.
They also welcome local school groups for educational field trips throughout the year, helping students connect with the rich cultural and natural history of Indian Valley through interactive learning experiences.
Whether you’re a history buff, geology enthusiast, or a family looking for a meaningful outing, the Indian Valley Museum offers a warm, enriching visit steeped in the stories of the Sierra.
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My name is John Millsap. My mother’s maiden name was Billie Boyden. She was born at the Boyden home in Greenville, CA in November 1909. Her father, Robert Boyden passed away in 1912. Shortly after her father’s death, she, her mother Elsbeth and her sister Laura Pearl moved to the bay area where Billie attended the University of California, Berkeley. Following graduation she taught school in the gold rush town, Seneca from 1930 to 1936 when she wed my father John B. Millsap. Both my mother and father are buried in the Boyden plot in the Greenville cometary. Now my sister, Mary Ann and I are reviewing our family histories. Our relatives, the McMillan’s and Skinners were also Seneca and Greenville residents since the 1870’s. I’m writing to see if your museum would be interested our family histories and artifacts. The McMillan’s had gold mines in Seneca. The Boyden’s were ranchers and my grandfather had a blacksmith’s shop in Greenville. Mary Ann and I have visited your museum 20 years ago and were impressed with your care and display of the Indian Valley. I left a phone message today and would love to hear from you. Thank you, John Millsap (909) 436-9065