Museums & Historic Sites

From tales of ice harvesters and railway pioneers to exhibits that explore the Sierra’s rich cultural tapestry, Truckee’s history is full of grit, character, and stories that still echo through town.

Snowy barn wall covered with vintage license plates.
Historic street with colorful storefronts and blooming tree.

Where Past Lives in the Present

Truckee’s museums reveal stories of Donner Pass crossings, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the roots of California ski culture. From rail cars to sawmill relics, history here isn’t just remembered—it’s still part of today's landscape.

As a designated California Cultural District, Truckee blends rich heritage with a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, making it a place where the past and present live side by side.

Discover Truckee's Heritage

Red caboose with "Truckee Railroad Museum"

Truckee Railroad Museum

Tucked inside a caboose next to the historic train depot, this tiny-but-mighty museum tells the story of Truckee’s deep connection to the Transcontinental Railroad.
 

Snow-covered statue surrounded by tall trees under a cloudy sky.

Donner Memorial State Park & Emigrant Trail Museum

This park blends natural beauty with one of the most famous stories of survival in the Sierra. Learn about the Donner Party, Indigenous Washoe people, and westward expansion—all set in a peaceful lakeside forest.

Red cabin with green roof surrounded by trees and flowers.

Joseph Research Cabin at History Trail

Take a short walk along the Legacy Trail and explore this replica of a 19th-century trapper’s cabin—an outdoor exhibit that brings Truckee’s early settler era to life.
 

Street with colorful storefronts and blooming pink tree, outdoor seating visible.

Historic Downtown Walking Tour

Wander Truckee’s main street and read the bronze plaques that tell the town’s wilder tales—from saloons and lumber barons to ice harvesters and Olympic training.
 

Old Jail Museum in Truckee California Old Brick Building

Old Jail Museum

Truckee’s historic jail museum is one of only a few surviving 19th-century jailhouses of its kind in the West and one of the few remaining original buildings in Truckee. The old Bastille was used continuously from 1875 until May 1964, and ably withstood the many fires that swept the town in its early days.
 

Curving road and bridge over a scenic lake at sunset with mountains in the distance.

Outdoor 20 Mile Museum

The Outdoor 20 Mile Museum is made up of dozens of interpretive signs along a 20-mile section of Donner Pass Road, from Cisco Grove to Donner Lake. Each stop is a window into local history, covering ice harvesting, ski history, Native American petroglyphs, and more.

Mountain landscape with rocky cliffs, green trees, and a clear blue sky.

Summit Camp

Now a National Historic Landmark, Summit Camp at Donner Pass preserves the remains of the largest Chinese railroad construction camp on the Transcontinental Railroad (1865–1869). This archeological site honors the vital role Chinese laborers played in building the railroad and is a cornerstone of Chinese diaspora studies in the U.S.