The EDCHS is available to help research and answer inquiries and questions related to El Dorado County’s history. Our dedicated team is ready to craft personalized research packets which you can take with you. Reach out to the EDCHS and let us unearth the unique histories that tie your property, family, or historic artifact to you, your family, or your property!

Set in Placerville’s charming Main Street and nearby neighborhoods, you can step into the past where every stone, brick, and weathered façade whispers tales of resilience and community.

Not just a stroll through history, this 1-hour enchanting journey is an immersive experience that will leave you profoundly connected to the roots of the California Gold Rush and many of El Dorado County’s pioneers.

Click here to contact our museum to schedule a tour! (Or email us directly at contact@edchs.org)

- Self-guided Placerville Main Street walking tour available for free at the Fountain & Tallman Museum

- Guided Main Street Placerville Walking Tour (available by advance request)

- February 28, 2026 - Lost Chinatowns of El Dorado County: Walking tour of Placerville’s lost Chinatown

- March 14-‍ Placerville’s Main Street Merchants: Walking tour of Placerville’s Main Street

- March 28 -Georgetown, Pride of the Mountain: Walking tour of Georgetown’s Main and Church Streets

- July 11 - Retracing the Emigrant Trail in El Dorado County: Guided tour of a stretch of the original trail located on private property. Tour to be co-hosted by California Oregon Trails Association

October 23 & 24 - Whispers of the Past: Macabre Tales of Uppertown Placerville: Walking tour of historic Uppertown

Uncover hidden stories within the walls of historic homes in the incredibly charming and friendly town of Placerville, California, a historic mining and logging town a short 9 miles from Coloma, where the historic California Gold Rush began. Each featured home is a living chapter of Placerville, El Dorado County, and even California’s unique story from the Gold Rush through the early 1900s. Step into the past with us and experience the enchantment of our community’s heritage, one historic home at a time.

- April 18, 2026 - Placerville’s Coloma- Spring Street Historic District Home Tour

The EDCHS provides a captivating journey through time where local historians unveil the little-known tales of our cherished historic properties, residents, businesses, railroads, and historic events.

The 2026 EDCHS Field Speaker series brings together scholars, authors, and local historians, offering field presentations on location at the actual historical sites where the history in question once occurred. Please consult the 2026 EDCHS Events calendar to review this year’s line-up of exciting field speaker presentations. Purchase your tickets now for an unforgettable exploration of our shared heritage!

Don't let cherished memories and artifacts slip away. If you have historical pictures, documents, ephemera, furniture, or any other meaningful mementos related to California, El Dorado County, or Placerville, please reach out to the El Dorado County Historical Society. Don't risk losing these valuable connections to the past. The EDCHS is here to consult, provide recommendations, and help preserve these items, ensuring they remain a testament to the rich heritage that shapes our community.

Whether seeking advice on artifacts, papers, or photo preservation or aiming for authentic historic-property restoration, the EDCHS can connect you with helpful resources. Beyond consultation, discover a network of referrals and partners, connecting you with experts in preservation and restoration. Contact us for a collaborative approach to safeguarding history as we link you to the expertise needed to protect and preserve your historic treasures.