The Northern Mariposa County History Center is housed in two historic buildings in Coulterville. The older building fronts Highway 49, the road of the Gold Country. It appears to be a single building from the outside, but inside the visitors can tell that the building is two distinct buildings with their own history. Only the one adjacent to the rock building belongs to the museum. The museum is a great place to begin exploring the area. Not far away visitors can see the famous Mother Lode where it crops out along Highway 132. The town is small but loaded with history. Sun Sun Wo, the main store of the Chinese district is close by. The stores and hotel downtown are there to be enjoyed. Antique stores, the historic jail, the cemetery and much more are within a leisurely walk of the Museum. Gold is still found in Maxwell creek, a stones throw from the Museum. The gold began Coulterville and still draws many back to try their luck.

California has set new state guidelines for teaching history in California public schools. The standards and expectancies for 4th grade can be met with a one-stop field trip to Coulterville's museum. The gold rush days and the migration to California from all over the world can be traced through out the museum. Beautiful displays in a building that is over 150 years old, coupled with the charming downtown, teach what it was like to be in the first days of California statehood. 5th grade standards and expectancies can be met while visiting the museum as well. Early life in the United States can be experienced throughout the town and museum. The famous Jeffery Hotel, burned three times, raises above the town of 150 residents. Just up the street from the museum the cemetery's wonderful grave stones depict the past migration to America. Docents in period dress teach and escort students on their field trips. Weaving, spinning, gold panning, and mining demonstrations are available to bring the past back alive.