Events & Public Programming

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.

Experience El Dorado County's vibrant history through scholarly presentations, field hikes, and historical reenactments that educate and enlighten!

(Scroll down to purchase tickets to an upcoming event)

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.

Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills: The Origins of El Dorado County Wine
Fundraising Event FAQ:

Event Date & Time
📅 Saturday, June 21
🕛 12:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 Skinner Vineyards – 3790 Green Valley Rd, Rescue, CA

❓ What is this event about?

The Fundraiser, Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills, is a unique historical and tasting experience that explores the origins of El Dorado County’s wine industry from 1849 to 1870. Guests will learn about early grape varietals, vineyard locations, and the flavor profiles that shaped the region’s wine legacy.

🍷 What does the event include?

  • A historical presentation with local historians and descendants of pioneer winemakers

  • Wine tastings featuring curated selections

  • Gourmet charcuterie

  • A shuttle tour to historic winery sites, including:

    • The original Skinner family wine cellar and vineyards

    • The historic Zentgraf winery and rammed-earth home

    • A tour of the Zentgraf Pioneer Cemetery with interpretation by Mike Roberts of Save the Graves El Dorado

🏷️ How much are tickets?

  • $125 General Admission

  • $100 for El Dorado County Historical Society (EDCHS) Members

    EDCHS members, please check your email from programming@edchs.org for your special member discount link (it may also be in your SPAM folder). Special member discount codes are no longer required.

🎟️ Where do I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling or visiting the El Dorado County Historical Society’s Fountain & Tallman Museum: (530) 626-0773. All net proceeds support:

  • The Fountain & Tallman Museum

  • Historic cemetery preservation by Save the Graves El Dorado

🚌 What is the shuttle tour experience like?

The shuttle will take attendees to rarely-accessible historic winery sites. Highlights include:

  • A tour of the 1860s Skinner wine cellar and original Mission Grape vines

  • A private tour of the Zentgraf estate and winery

  • A visit to the historic Zentgraf family plot at St. Michael’s Cemetery

  • Insights from historians Rodi Lee and Mike Roberts, as well as descendants of the Skinner and Zentgraf families

🥾 Is the tour accessible?

Due to uneven terrain and steep landscapes at the historical locations, accessibility is limited for guests with mobility challenges. We advise caution for those with difficulty navigating natural surfaces.

What should I wear and bring?

Please dress in comfortable picnic attire. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are essential as we will be touring pioneer-era winery landscapes, which are often earthy, hilly, and slightly uneven. Consider bringing a hat and sunscreen, as parts of the event will be held outdoors. You may also want to bring a water bottle.

🚗 Is there parking available?

Yes, parking is available at Skinner Ranch (Green Valley Rd. location). The event begins in the picnic area at this site.

📜 Who are the featured participants, speakers, and guides?

  • Mike Skinner, current Skinner winemaker and direct descendant of pioneer winemaker James Skinner

  • Rodi Lee, El Dorado County historian and retired California State Parks interpretive specialist

  • Dr. Robert Cartier, celebrated California archaeologist, scholar, and current owner of the historic Zentgraf home and winery

  • Mike Roberts, local guide and President of Save the Graves El Dorado

🍇 Who were some of the pioneer vintners featured?

  • James Skinner of Rescue

  • Jacob Zentgraf of Rescue

  • Martin Allhoff of Coloma

Their contributions laid the groundwork for what would become the first chapter in the Sierra Foothills wine epoch!

❤️ Where do proceeds go?

All net proceeds support:

  • The Fountain & Tallman Museum (El Dorado County Historical Society)

  • Cemetery preservation efforts by Save the Graves El Dorado