About the El Dorado County Historical Society

1938, A Vision for Preservation: The Society was born in 1938 from an initiative led by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. Local leaders recognized an urgent need to protect a history that was rapidly disappearing. They envisioned more than just a storage space; they sought a permanent museum to collect, interpret, and share the "singular place" El Dorado County holds in American history—the site where James W. Marshall first discovered gold in 1848.

1939, The First Headquarters: By early 1939, we secured our first home in a historic stone building on Sacramento Street in Placerville, shared with the Chamber. Through a public fundraising campaign, the community came together to rehabilitate the space, creating the county’s first dedicated historical museum and laying the foundation for long-term stewardship.

1940-1960, Growing the Legacy: As our reputation grew, so did our collections. One of the most transformative contributions came from the estate of Stella Ralston Tracy. Her furniture, personal belongings, books, and photographs remain a cornerstone of our displays, offering a deeply personal window into the lives of those who built this region.

1960s – 1974, Constructing a Permanent Home: By the 1960s, the collection outgrew its walls. The Society led a massive effort to build a purpose-built facility at the fairgrounds on Placerville Drive. This $150,000 museum (About $1.2-$1.3M in 2026 dollars) was a true community triumph: funded by a $110,000 state grant from the 1964 recreation bond and supplemented by the donations, labor, and financial support of local residents. Construction began in March 1973, and the El Dorado County Historical Museum officially opened in July 1974.

Since then, the museum has thrived through the spirit of volunteerism. Dedicated EDCHS members like the late Bev Cola established a standard of excellence in curatorial roles and operations that our Board and volunteers continue to uphold today.

1981 – Present, The Fountain & Tallman Sodaworks: In 1981, Fay Jones Rupley Cannon donated the historic Fountain and Tallman Sodaworks Building (built 1852) to the Society. As the oldest surviving structure on Main Street, it has lived many lives: a soda factory, the town jail, and PG&E offices.

After the Society successfully nominated it for the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, renovations revealed hidden treasures beneath the stone floor including a bowie knife and original soda bottles. Today, as the Fountain and Tallman Museum, it serves as a vibrant cultural hub with rotating exhibitions that interpret our early commercial and social life.

A Common Thread of El Dorado County, Our History: In a world that often feels divided, the El Dorado County Historical Society serves as a rare and vital "common ground." We are a strictly apolitical organization, dedicated to the belief that our shared heritage is more significant than our contemporary differences.

By looking backward (and forward) together, we bring together community members from every walk of life, spanning different social, economic, and political backgrounds; individuals who might otherwise never interact. Here, we find unity in the stories of those who came before us, fostering a culture of mutual respect and a collective investment in the place we call home.

Find Your Place in the Story

The Society is not just a keeper of the past. We believe that individual interests fuel our collective impact.

When a recent member asked if there was an up-to-date inventory of the county’s historic stone buildings (there wasn’t), we didn't just give her an answer—we empowered her. She is now leading the effort to update that list. Whether you are interested in Native history, pioneer genealogy, historic architecture, the stories of the immigrants and entrepreneurs who shaped the Gold Country, or any other topic, we are here to support your exploration.

By bringing your individual passions to our events and archives, you help us ensure that El Dorado County’s identity remains vibrant and respected for years to come.

Our Mission The mission of the El Dorado County Historical Society is 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.