For
over 65 years, the Haggin Museum has acquired, maintained and exhibited
two important types of collections - one devoted to local history,
and the other comprised of fine works of art.
In 1928, the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society was incorporated
for the purpose of establishing a museum for the preservation of
local history objects. As it began its efforts, the group was aided
by a former Stocktonian, Robert Tittle McKee. McKee's wife, Eila
Haggin Mckee, provided funds to include an art gallery as part of
the proposed museum. She also donated a collection of paintings
which had belonged to her father, Louis Terah Haggin. These early
events provided the basis for the Haggin Museum's history and art
collections.
To house the continually growing collections, the Museum has undergone
several additions since its opening in 1931. The McKee Room was
added in 1939, an extensive addition including the Jennie Hunter
Rooms was contracted in 1949 and the Benjamin Holt Wing was added
in 1976. Today, the Haggin Museum contains over 34,000 square feet
of exhibition space in a three-story building.
In addition to the various exhibits, the Haggin Museum also maintains
several research libraries, including the Earl Rowland Art Library;
the Almeda May Castle Petzinger Library, which deals with both California
and regional history; the Holt Industrial Archives, which includes
material relating to leading early industries; and the Stephens
Marine Archives, which includes original architect's drawings, hull
files and miscellaneous materials.
The Haggin Museum is located in Victory Park, on Pershing Avenue,
between Picardy Drive and Argonne Drive. Their phone number is (209)
940-6300.
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Stockton,
CA 
on the Move!