Turtle Bay Museum
Turtle Bay Museum is where art, science, history, forestry, and horticulture meet with permanent exhibits about our region and changing exhibitions from around the world.
Museum Features
More about the Museum
Located just above the river bank the Museum building is itself, an exhibit and part of the landscape. The wood and steel structure and floor-to-ceiling glass help the building sit “lightly” on the natural site. The airy, light-filled space blurs the line between indoors and out just as the design of our permanent exhibits highlights the intersection between the natural world and human culture. Separately lit and climate-controlled galleries allow Turtle Bay to host traveling exhibitions from all over the world.
Hardy-Board siding, a white membrane roof, recycled glass tile, pressed paper and soy countertops, LED lighting, oriented strand board features, large beams made from laminated boards, and other building products and design choices align with Turtle Bay’s desire to be both ecologically and economically sustainable. We use local vendors whenever possible and strive to reduce, reuse, recycle. New, City of Redding sponsored twin waste and recycling bins placed throughout our campus to help guests make wise disposal choices.
Deep roof overhangs help keep the Museum cool and protect from sun and rain, allowing our guests to enjoy a spectacular view of the Sacramento River and Sundial Bridge from the patio of the glass-walled Museum Store and Coffee Bar, which borders our xeric garden and blends naturally into the popular Sacramento River Trailhead. It is a perfect place to people watch!
If watching wildlife is more your style, the Boardwalk between the Museum and Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp winds through a forest of cottonwoods and oaks, well above the seasonal wetland and year-round riparian habitat. Keep an eye out for some of the wild native creatures that are NOT part of Turtle Bay’s animal family.