Stockton Heritage Museum

06/15/2026

At the Stockton Heritage Museum we are always striving to provide services and benefits for the public. Many of you probably don't know that we have a large collection of Family Files available to you.

Years ago, when newspapers were more popular, we had a dedicated group of newspaper clippers who scoured the papers every day or week for news on Stockton folks. They clipped births, weddings, anniversaries, obituaries, accidents, awards, birthdays, jobs, anything and everything. We also had people who specifically provided information on their particular family. Some files are thick, some only have a couple items. Some were never created.

We are asking folks to come in and check on your family file and add to it if you have articles, photos, family trees, etc. We protect your items, the files never leave the building and museum staff will pull your file and refile them when you're done.

If you find things you would like copied, we can arrange to do that. Docents working that day might feel comfortable making copies, but if not, we can set up a time. We ask 25 cents per copy.

We have a window display up currently with some examples of things found in the files. Some things might surprise you, shock you or solve a mystery.

We also have a bookshelf of family story books that different families have created. If you've created one for a reunion or such, we would love to have a copy for research. So much work goes into those.

So this is just one resource that many folks probably didn't know about. And we would love to find people who still like to clip newspapers, what few there are, and give us items to add to the files.

06/08/2026

Upcoming program, next Sunday at 2pm. Larry Lyons will be presenting a fascinating history of Lyons Well Drilling, a Stockton area business since 1885! He has lots of stories to tell and things to share.

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

Another "What House Is This?" Label says north side of Front Street, 1860. Now, Front runs east and west, so thinking they meant on the north side of the street on the east end. We don't think there were many houses on the west end. It looks pretty out in the open so before other houses were built. 1860 is very early in the towns history.

We haven't explored yet, to see if it still stands. We wanted to get your input first. Recognize it? There was no identifier as to owner. It's a fine looking house, regardless.

05/29/2026

Still looking for a donation of some kid sized hangers. We have a lot of vintage kids clothes that need hanging up. If you have some you no longer need, we could use them. Thanks!

05/28/2026

Who has Atwoods items to donate? We are planning a window display and don't have a ton of stuff, even tho Atwoods was so important to our growth. So many of you spent your whole working life there. Do you have stories, photos, advertising, promo items, etc.?
Thanks for your help.

05/25/2026

Have you seen our Sale Bill window display? We have 3 large old auction sale posters from our collection. What auctioneers do you remember? Of course us 1970s folks know Jim Calhoun. He did so many auctions here in town. So many hay racks and crowds of bidders. Farm auctions were often sad affairs. But auctions were always a part of rural life. Equipment, livestock, household goods all could be had for either cheap or sky high.

What are your memories of auctioneers in the area? Were there any epic sales you attended? Any stories to share? We would love to compile a list of auctioneers from the early 1900s on to today.

05/24/2026

Pete and Becky are here again today to share their archival newspaper project with all of you. He has his laptop and monitor all set up to show you how to do searches. Find forgotten stories about your relatives, friends and yourself! Some might be surprising. They are here 11-2.