LAKEPORT, Calif. – It's a new year full of big plans for the Lake County Museum.

The Friends of the Lake County Museum hosted a New Year's celebration and open house at the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Lake County Museum Antone Pierucci said the event was meant discuss not just the plans for 2016 but to look back at 2015's accomplishments.

“We have a lot to offer and we're looking forward to working more with the public,” he said.

In the video above, Pierucci details some of what is in store for the new year.

Assistant Curator Whitney Petrey said the museum has been receiving a lot of new donations for its collection.

At the open house she showed off some of the newly accessioned items, including surveying equipment and an “Ediphone,” equipment used for courtroom dictation. The items are featured in the video.

The new staff began expanding public programs in 2015, most notably with the county museum's first celebration of California Archaeology Month in October, as Lake County News has reported. A video of the museum's archaeology month presentation can be found here: https://youtu.be/TllcLiDSy3c .

Building on that new energy, highlights of 2016 will include a March installment of the “Digging Archaeology” school program, which was introduced in October.

Among the upcoming exhibits for 2016 is a look at crime and punishment in Lake County.

The exhibit, which opens in April, will explore the criminal and law enforcement history of Lake County, and feature original court documents, photos and artifacts relating both to famous and lesser-known criminals in the area and how they were brought to justice.

As part of the crime and punishment theme, the museum will host a murder mystery dinner on April 9.

In July, the museum's “Schools of Lake County” exhibit will open, to be followed in August by the annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum.

In October, the museum will celebrate California Archaeology Month and also will feature another session of the “Digging Archaeology” school program.

In honor of 2016 being an election year, the museum also is planning an exhibit on the politics of Lake County in November.

The exhibit will include never-before displayed objects, documents and photographs “that capture the democratic process in all of its tumultuous glory.”

To celebrate the holiday season, the museum is planning a Victorian Christmas celebration in December.

Pierucci welcomes anyone interested in knowing more about Lake County history or volunteering at the museums to call 707-263-4555.

Hours at the Historic Courthouse Museum, 255 Main St. in Lakeport, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main St., is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Follow the local museums on Facebook or at http://museums.lakecountyca.gov/ .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.