FOLSOM MAGAZINE AND RESOURCE GUIDE 2023-2024

Everything Old
is New Again
HISTORIC FOLSOM’S
MUST-VISIT MUSEUMS
Nestled in the picturesque foothills
of Northern California, Folsom offers
an abundance of natural beauty and
outdoor opportunities. Boasting a thriving
community of fitness enthusiasts, Folsom
presents an array of top-notch running and
biking trails for both locals and visitors to
explore. Whether you’re an avid runner,
a cycling enthusiast, or simply looking
to immerse yourself in nature, these five
trails are sure to captivate your heart and
invigorate your spirit.
{ By Linda Holderness }
the past year or so, it’s time to take a fresh
stroll through the birthplace of our city. You
may be surprised at the changes. Everything
old is new again. Folsom’s storied past, with
its Gold Rush and railroad roots, is still the
area’s centerpiece. But history isn’t defined
by one generation, and Folsom History, the
rebranded name for the Folsom Historical
Society, has reinterpreted these early
milestones for 21st-century visitors. In the
process, a compelling and unifying thread
has been pulled: Innovation.
American River Bike Trail (Jedediah
Smith Memorial Trail):
If you haven’t visited Historic Folsom in
Innovation shaped the success of Folsom
from its beginning. The city’s founder,
Joseph Folsom, planned a railroad town
that would endure after the gold panned
out. The man he chose to survey his town,
Theodore D. Judah, mapped a rail route
through the Sierra when experts said it
couldn’t be done. The Folsom Powerhouse
pioneered the long-distance transmission of
electricity. We built bridges that challenged
norms, lured high-tech employers before
most people understood the term, and now
the Northern California Innovation District
fosters entrepreneurs from around the
world in the century-old Granite School.
With the new focus has come some
restructuring. Folsom History, under
Executive Director Rita Mukherjee
Hoffstadt, oversees three museums: the
Folsom History Museum, The Square
(formerly Pioneer Village), and the future
Chinese Heritage Museum. Here is a brief
look at them:
Folsom History Museum
The new permanent exhibit, A History of
Innovation, is complemented by annual
rotating exhibits. 100 Years at Folsom
High just made way for Made in Folsom, a
celebration of people and businesses that
have shaped Folsom history. The “quilt
corner” keeps alive Folsom’s antique quilt
2023-2024 // CHOOSEFOLSOM.COM 47