TCHS Activities

The Tuolumne County Historical Society seeks to keep the area's history alive through these key activities:

• Museum - Tuolumne County Museum and History Center is housed in the historic 1857 Tuolumne County Jail. Managed by the Tuolumne County Museum Board of Governors, the former jail, once the custodian of outlaws and criminals, now preserves local history via photographs, artifacts and displays that bring to life the history of Tuolumne County's six geographical regions and tell the story of arduous treks across the Sierra Nevada both prior to and shortly after the Gold Rush. The Museum grounds consist of a courtyard (former inmate exercise yard) and an old fashioned garden.

Courtyard	Garden

• Programs - The Historical Society's members have several meetings a year with programs of local historical interest. Check the Calendar of Events for upcoming programs.

• Annual Banquet - The Lamplight Dinner is an annual Spring tradition and the setting of award presentations and program.

Charter Members	Lamplight Dinner

• Publications - The Tuolumne County Historical Society maintains an active book publishing program, primarily selected reprints of local historical volumes. In addition, the organization publishes the Chispa, the Quarterly of the Tuolumne County Historical Society solely for accounts of local history and makes available other publications about Tuolumne County history. Click here for Book List and Order Form.

• Scholarships - Local high school students compete for annual scholarship awards.

• Writer's Award - A competition for the best paper on a topic of local historical interest.

• Landmark Preservation - The Historical Society's Landmarks Committee serves as a preservation action or "watchdog" group. It comments on activities that impact heritage resources and nominates properties for Historical Society awards.

• Membership - Members support the Society financially with their dues and donations, sit on boards, attend meetings and volunteer their time and expertise to accomplish many different tasks. Members are kept up to date on all programs and activities with the Society newsletter, Historian, which is mailed to members throughout the year. If you have an interest in local Tuolumne County history, please attend a Society meeting, visit the Museum or read a Chispa. If you would like to become more involved, the Society strongly encourages you to become a member. To become a member click here for a printable Membership Form.