Tour Host Profile
| Bernhard Museum Complex Auburn Owner: Placer County Museums |
The Bernhard Museum Complex sits on 2.3 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Since its construction in the nineteenth century, the Bernhard property has served as a lodge, farm house, winery, museum and the site for the Placer County Museumsí Living History Program. The complex includes the Bernhard residence, wine storage building, wine processing building, and a barn. Auburnís oldest wood building, the Bernhard Museum was preserved by the community through fundraising and restoration efforts led by the Placer County Historical Museum Foundation and the Placer County Historical Society. On July 1, 1982, the facility opened to the public.
The wine processing building contains artifacts pertaining to winemaking and barrel making. A hearse, sleigh, buggies, wagons, and blacksmithing equipment are on display in the barn. Adjoining the Museum is the Bernhard Winery building, a massive stone structure built in 1874. It now features a display space and in the lower level, a commercial winery, Hyatt-Baumbach Wines. Some of their wine grapes are estate grown on site, and all their processing, from crushing to finishing, is accomplished in the Bernhard Winery.
The Bernhard Museum Complex is a unique part of Placer County history and represents the strong commitment of local residents to cultural preservation and education.
Originally constructed by George Bishop and John Long as the Travelerís Rest Hotel in 1851, the Bernhard House is one of the oldest frame houses in the Sierra Foothills. In 1858, the building became the home of the George Bishop family. The house and 30 acres were sold at public auction to Eliza Caruthers in 1864 and in 1868 became the home of the Bernhard family. Mr. Bernardus Bernhard expanded the property from 30 acres to 90 acres, on which the family cultivated grapes, fruit trees, and various seasonal crops. It was an active farm for nearly 100 years. Mr. Bernhard became a pioneer in the field of viticulture, and built the two story stone winery in 1874. The farm and winery continued to prosper until 1902, when Mr. & Mrs. Bernhard died within two months of each other. Their children Anna Barkhouse and Henry Bernhard inherited the property. Anna sold the wine equipment in 1905, took out the grapes and put in fruit trees. In 1957 Benjamin Barkhouse, Annaís son, sold the property to the 20th District Agricultural Association, resulting in most of the acreage becoming the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The building complex was abandoned and deteriorating before concerned citizens managed to save and restore its buildings.
In 1972 The Placer County Historical Society and the Placer County Historical Museum Foundation lobby to save the Bernhard House, and the 20th District Agricultural Association sold the remaining Bernhard property to Placer County for one dollar. The Placer County Board of Supervisors appointed the Placer County Historical Museum Foundation in 1973 to raise the funds to restore and develop the complex, and nine years later the Bernhard Museum Complex opened to the public.
Farm & Barn Tour Activities
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The Bernhard Museum Complex will offer tours of the house and wine processing building, interpretation of vintage farm equipment, replica fruit crate building ($5.00), display of farm animals, an art show in the stone winery by the Placer Arts League, produce, display of vintage wagons, wine tasting ($5.00), music, and hot dogs and hamburgers by the Auburn Community Cancer Endowment Fund. A short presentation on Placer County’s wine history will take place every hour from 10:00 to 3:00. |
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For information: (530)885-5670 |
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