SOUTHERN TUOLUMNE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - A Decade In Review
by Marc Fossum
2010 marks the end of the first decade of the 21st century, and a milestone for the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society (STCHS). It was 10 years ago that STCHS completed the construction of the Museum & Library building. We have maintained the building and operated the museum ever since. The following is an accounting of what STCHS has been up to over the past decade:
SIGNIFICANT ASSETS:
2000 – Completed the construction of the Groveland Yosemite gateway Museum and Groveland Library Branch.
2006 – Acquired and reassembled, for public display, the Gentry Gulch Arrastra, an authentic gold rush era arrastra (piecing together the parts of the giant jigsaw was a monumental feat in itself).
2008 – Acquired the 1852 Gold Rush era Gamble Block, aka Wells Fargo Building in Big Oak Flat, California, along with the 1902 Queen Ann Victorian home located on the same property.
2009 – Acquired a life sized California Gold Rush diorama from the California State Museum. The diorama was valued at over $500,000 when it was constructed in the 1990’s.
PROGRAMS:
STCHS presents 9 public presentations annually focusing on historic and educational subjects of interest to the community.
STCHS maintains a History Resource Center for the benefit of its membership and the public.
STCHS maintains a “Genealogy Chat Group” for the benefit of its members and the public.
Every Fall STCHS presents LIVING HISTORY DAY, an interactive historical experience for the public.
STCHS conducts educational tours, open to its membership and the public, of the two cemeteries that serve the Southern Tuolumne County.
FUNDRAISERS:
STCHS conducts two fundraisers each year; the PINE MOUNTAIN LAKE WINE TASTING CRUISE and the annual LABOR DAY COUNTRY BBQ held at the Pine Mountain Lake Equestrian Center.
PROJECTS:
Gamble Block/Wells Fargo building: STCHS is in the process of planning the renovation of the 1852 stone building and the 1902 Queen Ann Victorian residence.
Gold Rush Dioramas: STCHS is seeking a location to display the dioramas and is currently concentrating on storing and protecting the dioramas.
STCHS is engaged in active negotiations with the Bureau of Land management regarding the future plans for the Longfellow Gold Mine and Stamp Mill in Big Oak Flat, California.
Museum Expansion: Preliminary steps for the expansion of the Museum Building will be conducted in 2010.
Book Writing: In 2010 STCHS will author a pictorial history book of the Southern Tuolumne County area. The book will be part of the popular Arcadia Press series Images of America.
STCHS is currently designing and producing a brochure to promote the Museum and local historical points of interest.
Our mission is to preserve, protect and present the unique history of the Southern Tuolumne County area for public benefit. If you are not already a member of the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society, please consider joining us. Memberships are as little as $20.00 per year. Your support is deeply appreciated. Stop by the museum and pick up a membership form.
