July’s Artifact of the Month is a souvenir program from the Fifth Annual Shasta County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo in 1953. This sublime relic can teach us so much about what life was like back then.
Malaria? In Redding? You bet! Step back a hundred years to the “good old days” and imagine a warm June day after a nice, wet spring. It’s a recipe for mosquitoes! Malaria was a common, and deadly, ailment – along with a host of other preventable and treatable diseases that we seldom worry about today.
Just as no subject was unremarkable, no spot was inaccessible. Colby maneuvered around the Dam carrying a 40-pound 8” x 10” format Kodak camera, a wooden tripod, film holders, and the rest of his gear. He also used a 4” x 5” format camera for some shots. This combination of a large format camera and Howard’s skill produced crystal-clear, high-resolution photos with incredible details.
Insects represent some of the planet's most bizarre – yet familiar – and enchanting life forms. Some can be as intricately delicate as a butterfly, while others can be as tough and gnarly as some beetles.
The community eagerly anticipated the Turtle Bay Auction, and this year's event did not disappoint. The theme was "Off to The Races," and guests arrived dressed in their finest Kentucky Derby-inspired ensembles. They were greeted by a stunning display of decorations that transported them to Churchill Downs.
The Plant(s) of the Month for January are deer grass, Muhlenbergia rigens our local deer grass, and Muhlenbergia lindheimeri also known as Lindheimer’s muhly, sometimes Mexican deer grass. They are two of my all-time favorite plants for gardens in our climate because of their beautiful forms, ease of care (low maintenance), and of course, drought tolerance.
The Plant of the Month for November is chosen by Wayne Campbell, Gardener for Turtle Bay’s Botanical Gardens. It is the California native shrub Arctostaphylos‘ Howard McMinn,’ common name Manzanita Howard McMinn. Wayne loves their dark green, evergreen foliage, beautiful red bark, pest resistance, and drought tolerance. We have several of these large, beautiful shrubs throughout the Gardens, as well the rest of the Turtle Bay Campus and Sheraton Hotel.
We are excited to continue our partnership with Redding Electric Utility (REU) to bring access programs to Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Beginning Thursday, January 12, 2023, we will provide reduced Park admission every Thursday: $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Discount Day is a wonderful opportunity to experience current Museum exhibitions, outdoor playgrounds, live animal shows, wildlife exhibits, botanical Gardens, Parrot Playhouse, and more.
Mickey has been one of the most recognized cartoon characters worldwide since his 1928 debut in Steamboat Willie. There are oodles of toys and memorabilia with his likeness in the designs. Collectors refer to these items as “Disneyana.” The nearly 100-year-old tea set on exhibit from Turtles Bay’s permanent collection was made in Japan and is a perfect example of Disneyana.
The Society of Animal Artists chose Turtle Bay as the premier venue for its 62nd annual Art and the Animal exhibition. We are very excited to be selected as the premier venue. With our interdisciplinary approach and adjacent hotel, this is a logical place to host an exhibition at the intersection of Fine Art and Natural Science. This year’s subjects range from the domestic to the exotic. During the exhibition, guests can see an artistic representation of a bobcat and then see Whisper in person. Black vultures, like our Ned, and a barred owl, like Chef, are featured alongside zebra, orangutan, lions, spiders, and more.
December’s artifact of the month is a Marble Model 1908A Game Getter with a folding stock. Marble’s Arms & Manufacturing Company saw the need to develop a versatile firearm that could be used by anyone in the family to protect their vegetable garden from pests, as well as shoot small game such as rabbit, quail, and dove.
The holiday season is in full swing and we have winter activities for you and your family to enjoy! Turtle Bay’s 3rd annual Redding Garden of Lights is a holiday tradition for visitors from near and far. We are excited to bring the holiday magic to Redding this year with new light displays, extended show dates, and the highly-anticipated New Year’s Eve party.
We have a day for giving thanks, a few days for getting deals, and then a special day to benefit local organizations that make our community great! Facilitated by the Community Foundation of the North State, North State Giving Tuesday brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness through a 14-hour online giving challenge.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park is an interdisciplinary institution that caters to folks of all ages, interests, and walks of life. As such, we strive to offer a variety of exhibits highlighting art, science, history, and more within the Museum, Mill Building, and elsewhere throughout the Park. We are especially dedicated to hosting interactive STEAM exhibitions like Magnificent Me!
With every stroke of the brush, the painting gets better. Vibrant splashes of greens, reds, and purples bring it all to life. The artist has continued to develop his craft over the last six years. His name is Ruckus, and he is a Yellow-billed magpie! Come see Ruckus paint in action at our Animal Artists program on Fridays at 2pm.
‘Tis the season for travel! Have you been on a plane or a train, or a cross-country bus ride? If so, chances are you put tags on your suitcases so that you and the transportation company can easily find your bags. You may have used the paper ones provided by the airline or maybe a really nice leather identification tag that you received as a gift. These metal baggage tags serve a similar purpose!
Oktoberfest 2022 was a blast for the whole family! Nearly 1,200 people celebrated this fall tradition in Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp at Turtle Bay. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks from local vendors, marveled at the talent of community artisans, and listened to hits performed by Black Vinyl 45 in our outdoor amphitheater.
The Plant of the Month for October is chosen by David Knight, Turtle Bay’s Lead Gardener for the Sundial Bridge environs, Turtle Bay Grounds, and Sheraton Redding Hotel landscape. True Myrtles Myrtus communis (and cultivars) are native to the Mediterranean Basin. David cites their evergreen foliage, great textures, and different growth patterns, as well as their drought tolerance, as reasons why they are some of his favorite plants.
Artifact of the Month: Betel Nut Containers
This former Mystery Object had a short run in our visitor poll. Guests selected it as soon as it was posted! These beautiful containers likely held seeds of the areca palm (Areca catechu), commonly referred to as betel nuts, in the large compartment and slaked lime in the smaller compartment.
Our 10th annual Caffeinate for a Cause was a huge success, thanks to our amazing community! On Thursday, September 22, Turtle Bay teamed up with local Dutch Bros. Coffee locations in Redding, Anderson, and Palo Cedro to raise money for the education programs, animals, and museum exhibitions that visitors look forward to when visiting the Park.
