Entry No. 2 — the Sacramento file — filed under: haunted
Death by Natural Causes at The Paperworks
Inside the renovated 1800s Blake, Moffitt & Towne paper-company building, Sacramento's newest exhibit hall opened in June 2026 with a Houston Museum of Natural Science show devoted to nature's quiet "malefactors" — authentic venomous, poisonous, and toxic specimens staged across five death-themed galleries.
The story
You walk past the wooden boardwalks on Front Street, step inside the renovated 1800s Blake, Moffitt & Towne paper-company building, and step directly into a quiet catalog of mortality. Opened in June 2026, The Paperworks is an exhibit space launched in collaboration with Stage 9 Exhibits to bring rotating natural history installations to the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Its inaugural show—conceived by the Houston Museum of Natural Science—doesn't bother with theatrical horror or ghost stories. It focuses on something far more clinical: the quiet, everyday toxins that will stop your heart without making a sound.
Across five death-themed galleries, the exhibit lines up nature’s most effective chemical operators. You aren't staring at dramatic apex predators; you’re looking at authentic preserved specimens of venomous insects, innocent-looking toxic berries, lethal fungi, and hazardous minerals that killed people long before anyone understood modern chemistry. A myth-busting display wall chips away at popular folklore, forcing you to reconsider every scout-craft survival tip you thought you knew about snakebites, poisonous plants, and deadly critters.
What it's like
The air inside is cool and the lighting is intentionally dim, feeling less like a typical riverfront tourist spot and more like a high-end forensic cabinet. Expect to spend about an hour walking through the five zones, reading up on historical poisonings and second-guessing every innocent-looking mushroom on display. Operating schedules can shift after its 2026 opening, so verify current hours before heading to Front Street, and plan to duck into a nearby lounge or riverfront spot afterward to decompress.
The move: Walk the five zones daring each other to guess which innocent-looking mushroom or berry is the deadliest, debunk an urban legend at the myth-busting wall, then grab a drink downstairs at Back Door Lounge.
- 📍 Old Sacramento Waterfront
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1115 Front Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Hawthorne's Hideout — Head beneath Stage Nine right down the block to debrief over cocktails behind a secret door.
- Sacramento Underground Tours (Sacramento History Museum) — Pair the exhibit's chemical hazards with a walk through the hollow, elevated street levels Sacramento built over in the 1860s.
- Delta King — Stroll a block to the riverfront for a drink aboard a historic 1927 sternwheeler moored right on the water.
- Garden of Enchantment — Walk down Front Street after your visit to browse dried herbs, botanicals, and esoteric goods at an Old Sac shop open since 1986.
Good to know
What is on display inside Death by Natural Causes?
The exhibit features authentic venomous, poisonous, and toxic specimens—including deadly plants, toxic fungi, venomous animals, and dangerous minerals—staged across five themed galleries, alongside a myth-busting wall.
Where is the exhibit located?
It is located at 1115 Front Street on the Old Sacramento Waterfront, inside the restored 19th-century Blake, Moffitt & Towne paper-company building known as The Paperworks.
Who created the exhibit?
The exhibition was created by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and brought to the venue by Stage 9 Exhibits.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · eastsacramentonews.com · stage9exhibits.com
last checked: 2026-07-20