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 their 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 Historic District Home Tour
MAY 2025 (Date TBD) - Pioneer Vintners of the Sierra Foothills: The Origins of El Dorado County Wine
JUNE 2025 (Date TBD) - A Legacy Etched in Stone: Historic Masonry Structures of El Dorado
JULY 2025 (Date TBD) - EDCHS Annual Summer Potluck
AUGUST 2025 (Date TBD) - Dress Your Finest, with William Hill Combellack
SEPTEMBER 2025 (Date TBD) - Caves, Kilns, and 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
Hangtown Fry Event FAQ:
Where will the event be held? The Hangtown Fry will be held in the historic Herrick Building, circa 1853, current home of the Placerville Public House brewpub (301 Main Street).
How long will the event last? The presentation and tasting will last roughly 45-60 minutes. Guests are encouraged to enjoy a savory meal at the Public House afterward (to be ordered and purchased on an individual basis).
Where do I park? Parking is available along Main Street, in the City Parking Garage behind the Herrick Building, and adjacent city parking lots.
Will I get to taste the Hangtown Fry? Yes, but only if you would like to. After a presentation covering the fabled story of Placerville’s native dish by local author and historian, Ellen Osborn, our hosts at the Public House will serve sample tastings of the Hangtown Fry. After the presentation and sampling, guests are encouraged to order a full meal from the Public Houses’s excellent menu, which includes a multitude of great beer and wine selections.
How much are tickets? Tickets are $20 per person, $15 for EDCHS members. All net proceeds support the El Dorado County Historical Society (a 501(c)3) and its Fountain & Tallman Museum.
Where can I purchase tickets? Tickets may be purchased online at no additional charge at EDCHS.org or by calling or visiting the Fountain & Tallman Museum (524 Main Street, Placerville) at (530) 626-0773.
An Evening with Placerville’s C.C. Peirce
Event FAQ:
Who was Reverend C.C. Peirce?
Reverend Charles Caleb Peirce was a beloved minister in El Dorado County during the 19th century. He served as the pastor of the Church of Our Saviour in Placerville for many years. While he appreciated the church's beauty, he found greater solace in the natural world. He preferred the sounds of birdsong, rustling leaves, and flowing rivers to the grandeur of man-made chapels.
A Simple Man…
Peirce led a simple life during his ministry. He eschewed modern comforts and embraced a spartan lifestyle. He even walked throughout El Dorado County to spread the Gospel and minister to those in need.
Respected by All…
Peirce was so revered that all denominations in the county welcomed him. When he entered a saloon, miners and gamblers would fall silent and remove their hats out of respect and admiration.
A Spiritual Johnny Appleseed…
Peirce can be likened to a “spiritual Johnny Appleseed of El Dorado County.” He dedicated himself to helping the poor and needy and bringing hope to the county's citizens as he traversed the region on foot, foregoing the comforts of horse and buggy or the modern automobile.
Where will the event be held?
The event will be held at the historic M.E. Church (circa 1851-53), located at 1031 Thompson Way, Placerville, CA. While this wasn't Peirce's home church, he was welcomed and celebrated by people of all faiths throughout the county.
When will the event take place?
Three performance times are available:
Saturday, February 22: 2:00 PM & 5:00 PM
Sunday, February 23: 5:00 PM
How long will the event last?
The event will last approximately 45 minutes. It will include a brief historical presentation on Peirce's life by local historian and President of Save the Graves, Mike Roberts, followed by a 15-20 minute performance depicting C.C. Peirce by local actor Dan Trainor. Wine and charcuterie will be served after the performance.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are $30 per person, or $22.50 for EDCHS members. All net proceeds will benefit the Restoration Fund for the M.E. Church, El Dorado County's oldest church building and a California State Historic Landmark. The fascia and belltower are in urgent need of repairs due to woodpecker damage and weather exposure.
Tickets can be purchased online at no additional charge at EDCHS.org or by calling or visiting the Fountain & Tallman Museum (524 Main Street, Placerville) at (530) 626-0773.
Is parking available?
Yes, parking is available along Thompson Way and in the Federated Church parking lot.