Santa Cruz crops, agricultural exhibits, Agricultural History Project

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Hrs: Thurs - Sun
Noon - 4 p.m.
(831) 724-5898

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Visit the Agricultural History Project's Exhibits and Museum Codiga Center & Museum Potatoes and wheat were once major crops of the Central Coast of California. Today these fields are growing lettuce, strawberries and raspberries. Years ago, ships and railroads, not today’s trucks, transported the agricultural bounty to markets. Come and visit our museum to learn about the people and crops that made this area so unique. AHP’s two story California style barn is home to our exhibits, research center, archives, and gift shop, the “Country Corner.” Exhibits include “When Apples Were King,” the story of the once flourishing apple industry; “Pick Now, Eat Later,” food preservation methods for our bountiful production; “Legacy of the Vaqueros,” cattle from the Mission days to current times. There are also extensive fruit jar and milk bottle and dairy artifact displays. The upstairs Santa Cruz County room archive houses a non-circulating collection of agricultural related books, photos and an extensive collection of USDA and UC Extension Service pamphlets. Research by appointment only.

		Porter Implement Shed View our collection of restored horse drawn equipment including plows, binders, reapers and planters. An extensive collection of hand tools is also on display.

		Snyder Building Then, wander down to the Snyder Building, known on-site as The Shop. The building includes our restoration shop and storage for restored equipment. There will probably be someone working on a carriage, tractor or other rescued piece of equipment while you’re there.

		Madesko Gazebo This shady spot offers you a place to meet and to rest, or there are are picnic tables under the redwood trees next to the Codiga Center (please respect the young, sprouting trees).

Caboose This Illinois Central Caboose was donated to AHP to represent the importance of train transportation in moving agricultural products to market. AHP volunteers have lovingly restored the exterior of the caboose. Plans are to restore the interior by September 2008 so visitors have the opportunity to experience the living quarters for train crews when there was a caboose on every train.

Archive

AHP’s archive contains some unique collections. These are available for research by appointment by calling 831-724-5898. The collection includes:

Henry Washburn Annual Reports 1917-1941, 1953. These reports document activities of the farm advisor, changes in agriculture, erosion control efforts, dairy herd improvement, 4-H Club activities, black & white photos of the county during those years.
Henry Washburn photos and films. Most are from the 1930s and 1940s, and are mostly agriculture but include scenes from around the county.
Apple and vegetable labels. Approximately 300. Most are local.
Tyler Collection. The USDA and UC Extension Service Bulletins on various crops, livestock, poultry, insects, and diseases. Some are from the late 1800s; many are from the 1920s through 1940s. Also, booklets on irrigation and water use, land use, soil surveys and Santa Cruz County studies.
Clipping File. Agriculture-related articles. Most are from the last 5-10 years.
Regional History Project. 17 agriculture-related oral histories. A UCSC project.
Farm equipment identification. Books on plows, tractors, implements and hand tools.
California Historical Society Quarterly. Includes indexes.
Yearbook of Agriculture. Intermittent from 1884 through the 1970s.