Society of California Pioneers facts for kids
The Society of California Pioneers is an organization started way back in 1850. Its main goal is to learn about and celebrate California's art, history, and culture. It was founded by people who arrived in California before 1850. Since then, it has been led by their children and grandchildren, helping its members, researchers, and the public.
This Society is the oldest organization west of the Mississippi River! It even opened California's first library. They also had a big hall for meetings, talks, and fun events. Today, the Society runs a public museum and a research library. Both are located in a famous building at The Presidio of San Francisco.
The museum, called Pioneer Hall, often changes its exhibits. It shows off art and historical items collected since 1850. They offer free museum programs for school kids. There are also public tours and special events. The Alice Phelan Sullivan Research Library holds many of the Society's collections. You can visit it by making an appointment. This allows students and historians to look at rare historical documents.
The Society helps the community by supporting research. They encourage new ways of understanding the many different experiences of people who lived before us. The Society's main goal, as written in its rules, is "to collect and preserve information connected with the early settlement and formation of this new state." It is still a membership group. To join, you must be a direct descendant of someone who arrived in California before January 1, 1850.
What is the Society of California Pioneers Museum?
The Society of California Pioneers is still active today. Its main office is in San Francisco. Pioneer Hall is located at The Presidio. It has a museum and a research library. The museum is open to everyone from Wednesday to Sunday. The library is open by appointment only. You can find it at 101 Montgomery, Suite 150, Presidio of San Francisco, 94129.
What Can You See at the Museum?
The Society of California Pioneers keeps many important historical records. These records tell the story of California's early days. They cover big events like the California Gold Rush. They also include information about the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. The collection has old letters and handwritten papers. It also features paintings, drawings, and many photographs.
You can find old books, maps, newspapers, and journals. There are even business records from mining and transportation companies. The museum also has historical objects and decorative items. A large part of the collection includes diaries from pioneers who traveled across the country. These include diaries from John A. Sutter. There is also a letter by Henry W. Bigler. Both of these are original sources that announced the discovery of gold in California.
The Society also has many old photographs. These include works by famous photographers like Carleton Watkins and Eadweard Muybridge. The painting collection is especially known for its 19th-century art. It includes paintings by artists such as Thomas Hill and William Coulter. All these items, along with prints and other historical papers, create a clear visual record. They show what life was like in California over many years. The museum regularly displays different art and items from its collections.
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Dr. Charles Boarman (1828–1880) was a founding member of the Amador County chapter in 1877. He and his family settled in Amador County in 1859. He was the county physician and coroner from 1863 to 1880. (The Society of California Pioneers in San Francisco is a separate organization from county-specific pioneer chapters.)
