WHO WE ARE
Mission: Inspire an innovative future together by connecting Folsom to its inventive roots.
Vision: To strengthen the social, intellectual, and connective fabric of Folsom, CA.
The Folsom Historical Society (FHS) is a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization founded in 1961 to preserve and promote the history of Folsom. Today, FHS operates two museums in Folsom's Historic District - the Folsom History Museum and Pioneer Village outdoor interpretive area. FHS had a unique start and that spirit of education and preservation of the past continues to push us forward to this day.
The Folsom Historical Society was founded by a group of Folsom residents who worked to prevent the demolition of the Wells Fargo Assay Office on Sutter Street. The building was set to be destroyed and a gas station built in its place. The building was demolished but some forward-thinking, history-minded Folsom residents saved and stored the pieces of the historic building. The planned gas station was never built, and the space remained empty until members of the Folsom Historical Society rebuilt the front façade of the Wells Fargo Assay office. The building opened as the Folsom History Museum in 1976.
In 2002, FHS began operating Pioneer Village – an outdoor living history interpretive area only blocks away from the Folsom History Museum. Pioneer Village includes gold panning, a working blacksmith forge and large-scale mining and agriculture equipment. This has served as the perfect complement to the history museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits.
The Folsom Historical Society maintains a collection of artifacts, photos, documents and more that relate directly to the history of Folsom and the surrounding region. FHS serves as a research institution, offers engaging educational programming for all ages and has a membership base of more than 500. The Folsom Historical Society has grown from an all-volunteer organization to a professional and dynamic piece of Folsom’s historic district and community.
On June 2, 2022, with the help of David Flanagan, the Folsom Historical Society rebranded to Folsom History. With a new logo, vision, and mission, Folsom History has dedicated itself to lighting the way to the future with the guidance of our local history and the innovations that have taken place in Folsom.
We are focused on connecting Folsom History with its various communities in new and creative ways. Three areas of engagement will be historical and civic engagement through digitization of our archives, creative engagement creating restoration and development at Pioneer Village, and cultural engagement completing the Chinese Heritage Museum.
Shine on.