The Gold Rush radically altered the development and course of history for California, the United States, and the world. Starting after the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in January of 1848, it was the impetus behind one of the largest voluntary migrations of people in U.S. history. It accelerated industrial and agricultural development, provided individuals with routes to personal and economic freedom, and facilitated California’s rapid transition into statehood.
But the discovery of gold also had severe negative impacts. The Indigenous population and non-white immigrants faced severe abuse and discrimination, while many forms of mining compromised the environment. However, the zeitgeist of the Gold Rush in many ways epitomizes what came to be known as the American Dream. An understanding of the how, who, and why of this historical event is important to our greater history.
Katy Bartosh, curator of education at the Gold Rush Museum in Auburn, California, introduces the phenomenon, exploring the initial discovery, the journey to California, and mining technology. They also draw on Placer County Museums’ collections to reveal the varied experiences of those who settled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
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