CNL Member since 2003
Founded: 1944
Visit Website: www.nevadacountyhistory.org
Email: info@nevadacountyhistory.org
Facebook: Nevada-County-Historical-Society
Instagram: nvcountyhistoricalsociety
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/NevadaCountyHistory
Mission & Purpose:
The Nevada County Historical Society (NCHS) is a cultural and educational organization that collects, preserves, interprets and disseminates knowledge about the history of Nevada County and the surrounding mining area known as the Northern Mines. Since its beginnings one of the Society’s major objectives has been the collection, display, and preservation of the artifacts, documents, and memorabilia of the county. The Firehouse No. 1 Museum (est. 1947), the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum (est. 2003) in Nevada City, and the Northstar Mining Museum in Grass Valley (est. 1968) have a wide range of collections and exhibits. Our museums provide group tours, host conferences, book talks and other events. The Searls Historical Library in Nevada City (est. 1973) houses an exceptional collection of books, documents, maps, and over 20,000 historical photographs. Local residents, members of the business community, tourists, and researchers alike visit our museums and library.
Success Story:
The Nevada County Historical Society benefits the community in several ways:( 1) We preserve and present our local history at our library and three museums; (2) We educate by providing a free Speaker night on a topic of local interest eleven months of the year (December excepted) on the third Thursday of the month; (3) We have available for purchase books on a wide variety of local history subjects; and (4) We mount special projects such as “Over Here: Nevada County’s Experience of World War I” which featured displays at the Rood Center, Madelyn Helling Library, and a downtown Grass Valley store front.
How our organization benefits from being a member of CNL:
We have attended a wide variety of CNL seminars that have provided our board members with great continuing education.
How to get involved:
The best way to become involved with the Nevada County Historical Society is to become a member, which can be done through our website for annual dues of $30, which entitles a person to receive our quarterly Newsletter and Bulletin and to receive notices of our Speaker Nights. Along with this, “members only features” are being added in 2024, such as special access to videos on our website in our members only portal! There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer at our library and museums.