Project advisor Gwen Ford speaks during the opening reception for the Sutter County Museum's award-winning exhibit, “From Barbers’ Row to Beale Air Force Base: Black History in Yuba-Sutter.” The exhibit recently received a national Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - The Sutter County Museum has received a national Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History for its permanent exhibit, “From Barbers' Row to Beale Air Force Base: Black History in Yuba-Sutter.”

The award recognizes outstanding achievement in preserving and interpreting state and local history. The museum's exhibit highlights the history and contributions of Black residents throughout the Yuba-Sutter region.

Museum Director Molly Bloom said the recognition reflects a community effort.

“We were thrilled to learn that AASLH is recognizing the Black History in Yuba-Sutter exhibit with a 2026 Award of Excellence, highlighting the Sutter County Museum’s work to share local history on a national scale,” Bloom said. “The exhibit was truly a community effort, and we are very grateful and honored that so many individuals were willing to share their memories, stories, photographs, and objects to create an engaging and educational display.”

The exhibit opened in November 2024 and explores the history of Black pioneers in the region, the Gold Rush era, Black churches and businesses, the legacy of Black-owned barbershops, and military service connected to Beale Air Force Base and the Tuskegee Airmen.

According to the museum, the project required approximately two years of work and about 2,000 hours of research. Bloom worked alongside project advisor Gwen Ford, museum staff, volunteers, researchers and community members to develop the exhibit. What began with only 10 identified photographs and no known artifacts eventually grew into a collection featuring more than 125 photographs and objects.

Local artist Louie Lethridge works on original artwork created for the Sutter County Museum’s permanent exhibit, “From Barbers’ Row to Beale Air Force Base: Black History in Yuba-Sutter.” Lethridge’s artwork helped bring local Black history stories to life throughout the exhibit. Photo courtesy of Sutter County Museum

Ford said the exhibit has helped expand community understanding of local history.

“Adding another piece of the Sutter/Yuba County community puzzle has helped our community to grow by gaining knowledge about a portion of our community history that was relatively unknown,” Ford said.

The project received grant funding from California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Local artist Louie Lethridge also contributed original artwork featured in the exhibit.

The award carries special significance for the museum. Since the opening of its Multi-Cultural Gallery in 2005, the museum had reserved space for a permanent exhibit dedicated to local Black history. Museum officials said the completion of the exhibit fulfilled that vision and created a resource for future generations.

The American Association for State and Local History will present the Leadership in History Awards during its annual conference in September.

To celebrate the award, the Sutter County Museum will host a free wine and cheese reception from 5 to 7 p.m. July 10 at the museum, 1333 Butte House Road, Yuba City. Community members are invited to learn more about the exhibit and its stories.

The exhibit remains on permanent display in the museum's Multi-Cultural Gallery. The museum offers free admission and is open Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.