Museum open 10 - 2 Thurs to Sun. Or contact us for appointment and tour.

Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society
Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum

The Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society (STCHS) is a volunteer community organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the colorful history of the area “south of the Tuolumne River.” Groveland and Big Oak Flat were 1850s Gold Rush towns which later thrived as a gateway to Yosemite National Park. The centerpiece of STCHS is the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum in Groveland welcoming visitors from all over the world, and all year long. STCHS also advances its goals by building preservation projects, community education, and the History Resource Center.
Get ready for the super-popular Groveland Spring event: the STCHS Wine Tasting Cruise. This year it's Saturday, May 16, 2:30 - 6:30, leaving from the PML Lodge and stopping by docks around the Lake. Expect gourmet snacks and fine wines at each stop (thanks to our generous supporters who volunteer their homes for Cruise visits). It's a Groveland tradition for a special day with friends on our own beautiful Lake.
Come by the Museum for tickets or download and send in the purchase form. It's easy. But you better act fast, because the event is always a sell-out and interest is already high.
See you there. Get ready to enjoy!




On Sunday, August 31, STCHS held its annual Labor Day Country barbecue at the PML Stables. On a warm sunny day over 100 Grovelanders and their families came out to enjoy tri-tip, hotdogs, and other goodies as well as a few fun events for the kids. As usual, the watermelon eating contest was the show stopper of the day! The event was a terrific success, and everyone should mark it on the calendar for next year too!


The STCHS Speakers Program has seen a number of popular presentations since its revival in 2025. Suspended due to Covid, the program returned initially in 2024 and has solidified in 2025. Scheduled at 7 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, the presentations take place in the Groveland Resilience Center with audiences approaching 100 locals and visitors. Presentations have included the Donner Party, 100 years of Hetch Hetchy (pictured above), Yosemite wildlife. and the history of Pine Mountain Lake. The talks are free, and donations welcomed.

STCHS once again has made a mark in its community outreach. In 2024 the Groveland Community Service District (GCSD) asked STCHS to develop new history signage as part of a grant to improve Mary Laveroni Park. Partnering with GCSD, STCHS helped prepare a number of new signs depicting Groveland's history, including Mi-Wok and Hetch Hetchy, as well as a summary of Groveland's rich heritage (pictured). Come by the Park and check them out (and notice the STCHS logo recognizing STCHS's key role.)
At the Museum we're normally open Thursday to Sunday, 10 to 2 p.m. We're often open for visitors during special holidays such as year end, school breaks, and the like. In addition, if you'd like to visit our Museum when we're not usually open, just call or e-mail us to request a special opening just for you. We'll get back to you as soon as we can to schedule a convenient time.
Museum phone - 209 962 0300. President Harriet Codeglia - 415 516 1852. E-mail - gygmstchs@gmail.com


The Museum is always looking to add volunteers to greet and welcome visitors to the Museum. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet people from all over the country and the world. Docents serve at their own schedule with no obligation other than to enjoy themselves. Sign up on the "Docent" page of the website.

STCHS's local history book, Groveland Big Oak Flat, is on sale in the Museum or online. For only $5 shipping, you can send the best of Tuolumne history to yourself or someone you know. With 200+ vintage photos, it's the perfect glimpse into our area's colorful history. Buy online, or send your order form by e-mail.