The Plumas County Museum is an active, “living museum” with historic and contemporary exhibits, events, research, and meetings. Permanent exhibits include an outstanding collection of baskets woven by Mountain Maidu people. The Industrial History Wing features Railroads of Plumas County, Gold Mining on the Feather River, and an exhibit about the lumber industry. Other developing collections include natural history specimens, audio-visual resources, the Chinese influence, competitive ski racing known as “longboarding,” medical exhibits, and children’s toys.
The Variel House at the Plumas County Museum in Quincy The Exhibit Yard provides visitors with a glimpse into pioneer life with a sleigh, horse-drawn hearse, water wagon, mining and logging equipment, a working blacksmith’s shop, a stamp mill and a restored miner’s cabin.
While the basis of the museum’s collection is historical, the Stella Fay Miller Mezzanine Gallery often features contemporary cultural displays by Plumas County artisans.
The museum’s archival library houses a comprehensive collection of official county records, v photographs, documents, and literature which are continually added to by museum staff and volunteers. It is a valuable record of the people and places of Plumas County.
vintage bottles at the Plumas County Museum 
1800s horse-drawn hearse 
Mountain Maidu basket collection at the Plumas County Museum Museum Bookstore
The Museum Bookstore sells local and regional historical books and publications, note cards, postcards, calendars, prints, and locally mined and fashioned gold nugget jewelry. Also,housed at the Museum is a collection of complementary sightseeing brochures.
The Variel House
In addition to indoor and outdoor exhibits, the 1878 Variel Home is an interesting and beautiful stop. This restored three-story Victorian is furnished from the museum collection to represent a middle-class family home in turn-of-century Plumas County. The home is owned by the Plumas County Museum Association, Inc. and is open on weekends and by appointment in summer.
