Tattooed & Tenacious

 Inked Women in California History

Discover the unique history of California women and tattoos when we present our newest exhibit, Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History. The temporary exhibit opens Saturday, February 17.

Tattoos are not just a recent trend or a passing fad. From the working-class to the upper-class,  inked women have a long history in California and have helped popularize tattoos. Uncover the largely unknown history of women and tattoos, such as Victorian-era heiress Aimée Crocker, through photographs, personal histories, and artifacts.

Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History also features artwork from contemporary women tattoo artists of the Sacramento region, showing the style differences in tattooing of the past with the inked women of today. In the late 1800s tattoos were primarily one color, today they are a colorful display of art.

Discover the fascinating stories behind the ink, as local women share their personal reasons why they chose tattoos to capture or express a moment in their lives. 

Tattooed & Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History runs February 17 – June 2, 2024. The exhibit is included with admission to the Sacramento History Museum; opened daily from 10 – 5 p.m.  

Aimee Crocker Slide 1 Rev
TnT Max lft portrait 12324 Slide 2 rev
Maud Stevens Wagner Slide 3 rev
TnT Kim portrait Slide 4 rev
O Che Che Slide 5
TnT Kylie right face adj 12324 Slide 6
Ruth Weyland Slide 7
TnT Amy lft profile Slide 8
SW Tattooing Woman Slide 9
TnT Shawday shins 12324 Slide 10
Aimee Crocker Slide 1 Rev TnT Max lft portrait 12324 Slide 2 rev Maud Stevens Wagner Slide 3 rev TnT Kim portrait Slide 4 rev O Che Che Slide 5 TnT Kylie right face adj 12324 Slide 6 Ruth Weyland Slide 7 TnT Amy lft profile Slide 8 SW Tattooing Woman Slide 9 TnT Shawday shins 12324 Slide 10

 

“Tattooed and Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History,” was originated by curator Amy Cohen at the Hayward Area Historical Society
in Hayward, CA, and is traveled by Exhibit Envoy.