Benicia Historical Museum

Mission :

The mission of the Benicia Historical Museum is to engage the community in the evolving history of Benicia and the Arsenal and their influence in the development of our country. The Museum complex is the center where history is seen, enjoyed and preserved. Through exhibits, events and educational programs we enlighten the public about the history of this unique city.

About Us :

The Benicia Historical Museum shares the story of Benicia's place in the history and development of our country. The job of collecting artifacts began in 1975 and the items were stored in several locations until the Arsenal site became available. The Benicia City Council dedicated the Camel Barn complex on December 7th, 1982. The Museum was formally dedicated on May 19th, 1985 and has been open continuously since that time.

The name, Benicia Historical Museum at the Camel Barns, comes from Benicia's contribution to US Military history. In the 1850's and 1860's, the US Army experimented using camels, imported from the Mideast, as pack animals. After the advent of the Civil War the experiment was abandoned. The remaining camels were shipped to the Benicia Arsenal where they were auctioned to the public. You can read more about this brief period of history that gave the Museum its name in our section on Benicia & Arsenal History.

The Museum is located on the second floor of building #9. It is one of the two former storehouses located at the site where the camels were stabled. The Museum contains a Gift Shop that carries books on Benicia and Arsenal history, children's books, rocks, document reproductions on parchment, Camel Race shirts, Benicia Historical Museum hats, Camel earrings, pins, State Capitol pins, onyx Camels, stuffed Camels, pens, pencils, badges and much much more.