A new exhibit entitled Merced County Sesquicentennial Celebration: 1855-2005 will open at the Merced County Courthouse Museum on Thursday, April 7 2005. This exhibit is a collective effort by the museums and historical societies in the county to present a history of our towns from their births to today.

In 1855, the County of Merced, parted from Mariposa County, was organized with the county seat in Snelling. Over the past 150 years, Merced County has grown from an agriculture-based rural community to the home of the 10th University of California campus. This exhibit, featuring historic photographs and maps from the late 19th century to today, explores the economic, social, and political development of Merced County with the emphasis on prosperity through diversity. It will run through August 28, 2005 at the Courthouse Museum.

An opening reception of the exhibit is scheduled for Thursday, April 7, 2005 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Merced County Supervisor Jerry O'Banion will facilitate a roundtable discussion "How Our Towns were Founded" by Geraldine Chambers, Grant Fox, Elaine Grant, Roberta Gray, Rosalie Heppner, Georgia Johnson, Herb Jamero, Grey Roberts, Pat Snoke, and Charles Sawyer at 6:00pm.

The Merced County Courthouse Museum wishes to thank the following organizations which have made this exhibit possible: the Atwater Historical Society/Bloss House Museum, Delhi Historical Society, Dos Palos Historical Society/Museum, Gustine Historical Society/Museum, Hilmar-Stevinson-Irwin Historical Society, Livingston Historical Society/Museum, Milliken Historical Society/Museum, Snelling Historical Courthouse Foundation, and Winton Historical Society.