Barbed wire might seem like just a nuisance in your backyard—or a handy tool to keep cattle from wandering—but its impact on America goes far beyond fences. From reshaping the open range of the West to affecting Indigenous lands, livestock management, and even military strategy, barbed wire earned the nickname “The Devil’s Rope.”
Discover how this simple invention changed the landscape, law, and history of the American West—and see why most of Shasta County is still considered open range.
Turtle Bay’s Walk for Wildlife brought families and members together for a morning of fun, learning, and animal encounters. Guests met animal ambassadors like Blossom the skunk and Bristle the porcupine and enjoyed bubbles and breakfast—all while supporting the care of our animals year-round.
At first glance, it’s a vintage sewing machine—but there’s so much more beneath the surface. Produced in 1919, this hand-crank Singer Model 128 is a symbol of the Industrial Revolution’s impact on daily life. It brought sewing into the home, launched mass production, and even played a role in shaping global labor trends.
This month’s featured artifact connects directly to our Discover Steampunk exhibition—bridging invention, imagination, and a bit of drama. Curious how? Read the full blog to learn more!
Step back to 1928 with July’s featured artifact of the month—a Brownie camera from Turtle Bay’s Permanent Collection! Developed by George Eastman, this compact, user-friendly camera made photography accessible to everyday people for the first time. Donated in 1974 (and still working at the time!), it's the perfect companion to our Discover Steampunk exhibition, where history meets imagination.
Read more on the blog and visit the Museum to see it in person!
Saturday, April 12, 1997, Turtle Bay Exploration Park (Then Turtle Bay Museums and Arboretum on the River) opened its first new, post-merger attraction, Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp. The free event launched the beginning of the Turtle Bay build-out and was the first public physical manifestation of the hard work of The Forest Museum, founded 14 years earlier. The camp also provided a gateway for public access to the Interpretive Forest planted in 1992/1993.
