Nevada County Historical Society

Nevada County Historical Society Celebrating & Preserving the History of Nevada County, California Burns, President of the College of the Pacific.

The Nevada County Historical Society had its beginning in 1944 after being inspired by Dr. Robert E. Dr. Burns was interested in the preserving the history of the Mother Lode and gold country, and he spoke to the Grass Valley Lions Club about organizing a county historical society. Soon afterwards another meeting was held for people who were interested and a constitution and by-laws were adopted.

The objective of the new was to preserve every source of Nevada County history. The new society began with 48 members, and dues were a dollar a year! Monthly programs were planned to entertain and educate members, and the committee chairmen and groups formed the foundation of the society by collecting, displaying, and preserving the memorabilia of the county. Today, the Society maintains the Firehouse Museum in Nevada City, the Mining Museum in Grass Valley, the Searls Library in Nevada City, and the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Nevada City.

Photo of Main Street at Mill Street, most likely between 1900 -1910, courtesy of the Martini Collection PIC7- Martini 55...
05/22/2026

Photo of Main Street at Mill Street, most likely between 1900 -1910, courtesy of the Martini Collection PIC7- Martini 55. If you have any historical family photo albums showing early Nevada County images, we'd love to see them and digitize them for you:

Here is a short description of Penn Valley as noted in this April of 2006 NCHS Bulletin:
05/22/2026

Here is a short description of Penn Valley as noted in this April of 2006 NCHS Bulletin:

This March 1949 NCHS Bulletin describes some of the experiences of Bob Huckins- Deputy Sheriff of the North San Juan Rid...
05/22/2026

This March 1949 NCHS Bulletin describes some of the experiences of Bob Huckins- Deputy Sheriff of the North San Juan Ridge:

Photo of the Graniteville Stage Lines barn in 1952, courtesy of the UC Davis Digital Online Collection and the Henchey C...
05/22/2026

Photo of the Graniteville Stage Lines barn in 1952, courtesy of the UC Davis Digital Online Collection and the Henchey Collection:

Family snow travel from the Omega Mine in the 1930's, photo courtesy of the Mellott Collection:
05/21/2026

Family snow travel from the Omega Mine in the 1930's, photo courtesy of the Mellott Collection:

1858 advertisement
05/21/2026

1858 advertisement

A challenge to shoot was made by this article found in the September 10th 1860 Morning Tribune:
05/21/2026

A challenge to shoot was made by this article found in the September 10th 1860 Morning Tribune:

Bob Paine describes the many forms of entertainment experienced over the years in Grass Valley and Nevada City, as noted...
05/21/2026

Bob Paine describes the many forms of entertainment experienced over the years in Grass Valley and Nevada City, as noted in this article found in Historical Clippings #4 on page 198:

Chinese personalities affectionately remembered in this September 26th, 1969 Union article:
05/21/2026

Chinese personalities affectionately remembered in this September 26th, 1969 Union article:

Address

161 Nevada City Highway
Nevada City, CA
95959

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 4pm
Tuesday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15302647569

Website

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