Members of the Sutter County Museum Association board, staff and supporters pose for a group photo in front of a decorated holiday tree during the Dec. 5 Trees & Traditions fundraiser at the Sutter County Museum. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Museum Association has released its Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year defined by major exhibit expansions, increased public engagement and a remarkable level of resiliency amid funding cuts and staffing reductions. The announcement was followed by a sold-out Trees & Traditions fundraiser on Dec. 5, where community members helped raise more than $30,000 to support the Museum’s nonprofit Association.

The Year in Review

The Museum’s Annual Report details a difficult year in which budget reductions significantly impacted staffing and operations. Beginning July 1, the museum’s staff budget dropped from 2.5 to 1.5 full-time employees, and public hours were reduced from six days a week to four. By September, staffing temporarily fell to a single full-time employee.

Director and Curator Molly Bloom acknowledged these challenges in her annual letter, noting that the Museum “expected FY24–25 to be challenging and knew that success would be measured differently than in years past.” Even so, she wrote that she was “incredibly proud of what we accomplished together despite these challenges,” emphasizing that the Museum’s progress was possible because of “dedicated Museum Association board members, passionate volunteers and incredible community partners.”

Members of the Sutter County Board of Supervisors present a commemorative plaque recognizing the Sutter County Museum’s 50th anniversary, with Museum Director and Curator Molly Bloom holding the proclamation at the Sutter County Government Center in Yuba City. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

Despite reduced staffing, the Museum welcomed more than 7,544 visitors during the year. Educational impact continued to grow, with over 800 youth participating in field trips and group tours, a 14 percent increase from the previous year, and more than 120 free public programs, presentations, and outreach events serving nearly 4,450 participants.

The fiscal year also saw the completion of several major permanent exhibit installations. The updated Middle Gallery now includes new exhibits on the Nisenan, the Gold Rush and Westward Expansion, and Yuba-Sutter Floods. A separate new permanent exhibit, From Barbers’ Row to Beale Air Force Base: Black History in Yuba-Sutter, opened in partnership with community advisors and with support from state and local funders. Six temporary exhibits added further public interest, ranging from American Indian boarding school histories to the Smithsonian’s ¡Pleibol! traveling exhibition.

Museum Association President Debrah Reid praised the volunteer corps that helped sustain the Museum during the year’s staffing constraints. In her annual letter, Reid highlighted the more than 4,000 volunteer hours donated, describing their “can-do attitude” and calling volunteers the “crown jewel” of the Museum.

The Museum also invested heavily in the regional economy, contributing more than $55,000 to local businesses, vendors, and artists, and keeping 83 percent of all spending within California. Ettl Hall rental revenue exceeded $31,000, the highest in its history.

Raffle prizes donated by local businesses and community members are displayed during the Trees & Traditions fundraiser on Dec. 5 at the Sutter County Museum, with proceeds benefiting the Museum Association’s nonprofit mission. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

Trees & Traditions

The Museum capped its 50th anniversary year with a sold-out Trees & Traditions fundraiser on Dec. 5. The event sold out about a week in advance, and guests helped raise more than $30,000. Multiple attendees described it as “the best one yet,” underscoring both the event’s long tradition and growing community enthusiasm.

In a public statement following the fundraiser, the Museum wrote, “We were honored and humbled to receive your generous support… We loved seeing so many guests enjoying the event and celebrating the season.”

The Museum thanked event sponsors, Jennifer Eubanks and her catering team for the evening’s menu, and musicians Brian Nakagawa and Kevin Putman for providing festive entertainment. Proceeds from the event went to support the Sutter County Museum Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to free public programming and exhibit development.

Musicians Brian Nakagawa (right) and Kevin Putman provide live festive music during the Trees & Traditions fundraiser on Dec. 5 at the Sutter County Museum in Yuba City. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

Trees & Traditions has been held since the museum’s earliest years and carried special significance during the 50th anniversary celebrations which were reportedly all well attended.

Looking ahead, supported by two full-time staff members and army of volunteers, the Museum plans to expand educational programming through the remaining period of a $383,183 state grant that will support enhanced field trips, classroom trunks, in-gallery learning activities and transportation assistance for local schools. Additionally, an online searchable archive of more than 8,000 historic photographs is in development.
The full FY2024–2025 Annual Report is available at suttercountymuseum.org/support.

Guests mingle inside the Sutter County Museum during the sold-out Trees & Traditions fundraiser held Dec. 5 in Yuba City. The annual event raised more than $30,000 to support the Sutter County Museum Association’s exhibits and free public programs. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum