McHenry Museum Tours

museum 19

The McHenry Museum is a charming and historic building open to the public for exploring local history and available for rent to host private parties and special events alike.  

Visitor tours are self guided. Docents are stationed at various locations in the museum and provide valuable information to ensure that each visitor has a high quality experience at the museum. 

The McHenry Mansion and McHenry Museum will be closed from November 1st through 28th for maintenance and holiday exhibit installation. Both facilities will reopen on November 29th for a Winter Festival scheduled from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, more details to follow.


The McHenry Mansion and the McHenry Museum will be closed on April 5, 2026.

  1. Hours of Operation/Public Tours
  2. Group or School Tours
  3. Special Events

Location

Address

1402 I St, Modesto, CA 95354

At the corner of 14th and I Street in downtown Modesto

Second Saturday Lecture: The History of Modesto Fire

Join us for a special lecture featuring two distinguished leaders from the Modesto Fire Department, Chief Gunn and Chief Evans, as they share stories and insights from the department’s remarkable 150-year history. This engaging talk offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the people, events, and innovations that have shaped one of the city’s most vital institutions.

McHenry Museum | 1402 I Street

Saturday, June 14, 2025

2:00 PM

Free Admission! 

MM Lectures (Instagram Post)

150 Years of Modesto Fire Exhibit

Step into the rich history of the Modesto Fire Department and explore 150 years of courage, dedication, and service. Opening this Friday, May 16 at the McHenry Museum, 150 Years of Modesto Fire celebrates a century and a half of service, innovation, and heroism. Don’t miss this powerful exhibit—on display through June 22, 2025!

Date: Friday - Sunday; 12:00PM to 4:00PM

McHenry Museum

1402 I Street, Modesto

Free admission!

150 years of Modesto Fire May 16, 2025 to June 22, 2025. Museum Hours Friday through Sunday 12PM-4PM

Exhibits

The McHenry Museum features permanent exhibits on the history of Modesto and Stanislaus County. Included are displays on the Yokuts Indians, the founding of Modesto, the development of the Modesto Irrigation District, Agriculture, A general store display, a one-room school house setting, Modesto Police and Fire Departments, a barbershop, an exhibit of domestic life and a 1950s exhibit. 

Temporary exhibits change periodically. These have included local history, local artists and similar things. The Museum is decorated extensively for Christmas. 

Acquisitions for the Museum

The McHenry Museum is always looking for objects of local historical value or items that can illustrate local history to add to our collection. 

Donations

If you wish to donate an item to the Museum, please take a photograph of it, include any information you know about the item and email it to Jessica Flores. 

Volunteer Opportunities

The McHenry Museum is looking for volunteers to assist when the museum is open to the public and to conduct school/group tours. If you enjoy local history, consider volunteering at the McHenry Museum.