Fearing misuse or destruction of the original Placer County Hospital building and its neighbor Victorian, the Old Town Auburn Preservation Society (OTAPS) was formed in March 2003 to purchase, protect, and restore both historic buildings. With the cooperation of Placer County, which owned the buildings, and assistance of the city of Auburn, OTAPS moved forward and raised over $100,000 from within the community, borrowed additional funds and received the keys to the building in early November 2004. The museum opened in October, 2008.

OTAPS’ mission is to “advance education; maintain public buildings, monuments, and works; and prevent community deterioration.” It was the goal of OTAPS founder Ross A. Carpenter to create an asset for Old Town Auburn that would preserve and educate about our rich medical history, promote community pride, and enhance area visitation. To this end OTAPS continues to improve and promote the Gold Country Medical History Museum for all to enjoy; young and old, technical and non-technical. The medical museum participates yearly in Placer County Museums Division’s Heritage Trail, joining 19 other private and public museums in the County-wide open house event. Heritage Trail 2012 is scheduled for August 11th and 12th.

For additional information, contact OTAPS president Lynn Carpenter at serendipity@onemain.com or 530-885-1252, or museum curator and OTAPS secretary Rod Moser, PA, Ph.D. at goldcountrymedicalmuseum @gmail.com.