In 2003, Judge Richard Behrens Eaton died on July 29th at the family home, thus ending 104 years of Behrens-Eaton family members living there. Upon his death, Richard Eaton left his estate in a trust called the "Eaton Gift." This trust was to be used to maintain and operate the family home, including the house, its contents, and grounds, as a public museum called "The Behrens-Eaton House" to show future generations what a home of the Victorian period looked like. Over the years, the house at 1520 West Street has been authentically renovated, repaired, and turned into a place where the people of Shasta County can come to learn about local history. The collections of the Behrens-Eaton House Museum include a diverse selection of historical items including clothing, furniture, and silverware depicting the life and times of the Victorian and Gold Rush eras in northern California. Many artifacts and memorabilia speak of the broader city, county, and even World War II histories. The museum also contains an extensive and exclusive collection of antique and vintage books and notebooks as well as letters, illustrations, photographs, and papers.