Members of the community, families, and even Gridley’s CALFIRE firefighters cycled through the museum on Tuesday, October 24’s mixer. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley Museum, with the aid of the Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce, has brought back their mixers.

The two groups held the first mixer since 2020 and the COVID-19 outbreak on the evening of Tuesday, October 24th. The community was invited to drop in and enjoy an elaborate spread of refreshments and sweets, while browsing the large variety of displays depicting the multiple facets of Gridley (and area) history.

RuthAnn King, who dedicates countless hours to the management and organization of the museum says that the evening’s soiree gives the museum the opportunity to showcase its extensive exhibits, including the second floor galleries. “People who have never been in here before are really impressed,” says King. “They love the history. People don’t realize how much history is really here, and once they get in the door they think ‘why haven’t I ever been in here before’.”

Members of the community, families, and even Gridley’s CALFIRE firefighters cycled through the museum, browsing the upstairs exhibits which feature historical displays of former businesses housed in the building and the many treasurers displayed on the ground floor, including a full-size surrey and model electric train.

Gridley’s CALFIRE firefighters get a history lesson from RuthAnn King who works in Gridley’s museum. Photo by Seti Long

King says the Chamber approached the Museum about reinstating the mixers with the hopes that more will follow, and other area businesses will be interested in partnering together to promote the history of Gridley.

On behalf of the Chamber, Lisa Van De Hey thanked the museum for joining forces and holding the event saying, “We’re very appreciative that the Museum welcomed having this mixer tonight. It’s the first in three years and it was time to get them started again.”