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 through June 2, 2024. The exhibit is included with admission to the Sacramento History Museum; opened daily from 10 – 5 p.m.