Events & Public Programming
Experience El Dorado County's vibrant history through scholarly presentations, field hikes, and historical reenactments that educate and enlighten!
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The El Dorado County Historical Society (EDCHS) offers a variety of engaging events that provide valuable educational experiences while fulfilling its mission to preserve and share the region's rich past. These events include:
Walking Tours: These interactive experiences transform the streets of our county’s historic towns into a living history classroom. Participants learn about the Gold Rush era, architectural styles, and the lives of early settlers through firsthand observation and engaging storytelling.
Home Tours: Stepping inside historic homes provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning. Visitors can observe architectural details, imagine life in the past, and gain a deeper understanding of social history and cultural practices.
Speaker Series: These presentations offer in-depth insights into various aspects of local history, fostering critical thinking and historical analysis. By learning directly from experts at significant historical sites, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of the past.
By offering these diverse and engaging educational experiences, the EDCHS empowers individuals of all ages to connect with the past, develop a deeper understanding of our community's history, and become active stewards of our shared heritage.
2025 EDCHS EVENTS CALENDAR
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JANUARY 25, 2025 - The Hangtown Fry: A Placerville Classic
FEBRUARY 22 & 23, 2025 - An Evening with 19th Century Placerville’s Beloved C.C. Peirce (Event to benefit the Federated Church's restoration fund for the historic M.E. Church)
MARCH 15, 2025 -Celebrating the Mother Road: The Lincoln Highway in El Dorado County
APRIL 19, 2025 - Placerville’s Bedford Avenue & Clay Street Historic District Home Tour
MAY 24, 2025 - A Legacy Etched in Stone: Historic Stone Structures of the Town of El Dorado
JUNE 21, 2025 - Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills: The Origins of El Dorado County Wine
JULY 19, 2025 - 2nd Annual Quilt, Fiber Arts, & Historic Textile Show
JULY 25, 2025 - EDCHS Summer Potluck & Book Talk: "Tahoe Meadows: 1924-2024" with author Maggy Gorrill
AUGUST 16, 2025 - Dress Your Finest, with William Hill Combellack
SEPTEMBER 2025 (Date TBD) - Mines, Caves, & Quarries of El Dorado County
OCTOBER 2025 (Date TBD) - Hanging Justice: A Retrospective on the Last Legal Hangings in El Dorado County
OCTOBER 2025 (Date TBD) - Whispers of the Past - Macabre Tales of Placerville’s Bedford Avenue/Clay Street Historic District
DECEMBER 2025 (Date TBD) - The First Christmas in Coloma: A Pioneer Holiday Celebration
DECEMBER 2025 (Date TBD) - Annual EDCHS Holiday Luncheon
*All ticket sales are donations, the net proceeds of which support the EDCHS in its mission to honor the people who came before us by rescuing, preserving, researching, and displaying El Dorado County’s rich history, and to ensure that its significance will be appreciated for generations to come. Donations also help to support the operations and maintenance of the Society’s historic Fountain & Tallman Museum. If you would like to donate a different amount, please call us at our Fountain & Tallman Museum.
A Legacy Etched in Stone: Historic Stone Structures of the Town of El Dorado
Event FAQ:
What will this event entail?
Join local historian, Dee Owens, and researcher, Lolly Jones, for an in depth walking tour of surviving gold rush era stone structures throughout the town of El Dorado. Attendees will learn the rich history behind the buildings, including who built the structures, how they were constructed, and how early stone construction helped to mitigate fire loss for 19th century settlers.
Where will the event be held?
The tour will cover multiple historical stone structures throughout the town of El Dorado. The tour will commence outside of Poor Red’s BBQ (6221 Pleasant Valley Rd.).
When will the event take place?
📅 Saturday, May 24, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
How long will the event last?
The tour runs one hour and will cover roughly 1/4 of a mile on foot.
Where can I buy tickets?
🎟️ Tickets: $20 General | $15 EDCHS Members
Special Promotion: Buy an EDCHS membership and get 2 FREE tickets!
Tickets can be purchased:
✅ Online at www.EDCHS.org (no additional charge)
✅ By phone at (530) 626-0773
✅ In person at the Fountain & Tallman Museum (524 Main Street, Placerville)
📢 Please note: No physical tickets are needed for this event. After purchasing, your name and the number of tickets you bought will be automatically added to the guest list. On the day of the program, ticket holders simply need to provide their names at check in.You will also receive a digital receipt within 24 hours of your purchase. A reminder message with event instructions will be emailed to ticket holders a few days prior to the walking tour.
Is parking available?
Yes, street parking is available along Pleasant Valley Road and at the El Dorado Western Railroad Depot at 4560 Oriental Street.
How does this event benefit the community?
🌟 All net proceeds from the event support the Fountain & Tallman Museum and help fund public programs in 2025.