Haggin Museum: Art and History Intertwined

The Haggin Museum, a landmark in Stockton's Victory Park since 1931, offers a unique combination of art and local history. The museum's story began when Stockton native Robert McKee and his wife, Eila Haggin McKee, donated $30,000 to the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society with the stipulation that the museum be named in honor of her father, Louis Terah Haggin, and include galleries for the family's art collection.The art collection features European and American paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including works by Renoir, Bierstadt, and others. The museum boasts the largest regional collection of Albert Bierstadt's iconic landscapes.The history exhibits delve into the story of Stockton and the San Joaquin Valley, with displays on Native Americans, the Gold Rush, agriculture, and local industries. Reconstructed storefronts evoke a turn-of-the-century California town, complete with a schoolhouse and a Chinese herb shop. Don't miss the infamous steamer trunk of Emma LeDoux, a fascinating piece of local true crime history. The museum also houses a library/archives with a collection of historical artifacts, photographs, and documents.The Haggin Museum hosts temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year, including family programs, lectures, and musical performances.