Welcome to the Southern Tuolumne County Historical Society

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We are pleased to report that Musuem has survived the Great Blizzard and Storm of 2023. After a few harrowing days when Groveland roads were closed, the Museum is now open as before - Friday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Within a few days the Tuolumne County maintenance team had cleared the parking lot of snow, and visitors could once again drive to the Museum. A few dedicated volunteers came into docent and welcome the brave individuals who ventured out in search of history and a warm and dry place to enjoy. We sincerely appreciate their commitment.

Thanks to the generosity of a friend of Groveland, the Groveland Museum and its next-door neighbor, the Groveland Library, held a special "Valentine's Day" jewelry sale on Saturday, Feb. 11. Members of the community came out in tremendous numbers to support the Museum / Library - and snap up some great bargains in the process! With the assistance of our dedicated volunteers, significant funds were raised to benefit both organizations. Our sincere appreciation to all those who took part in the sale - on both sides of the sale. 

The sale has been such a success that we will continue to sell jewelry in the Museum Gift Shop for those who missed their first chance - or for those who want to come by for more. The jewelry won't last forever, so come by soon and get some great items - all for a good cause too!

On Monday, December 12, 2022, STHCS held its "Volunteer Appreciation Lunch" to celebrate the contributions of all its volunteers over the past months and years. We had to postpone this annual event for the past few years due to Covid. So we were very eager to return to this tradition of showing how much we appreciate all the efforts and dedication of those who make the Museum possible. Thank you! 

About 20 volunteers and Museum Board members came together in the Book Nook space for a chance to be together and enjoy a wonderful lunch of holiday soups and cakes (many prepared by Board member Kathy Brown). In past years this event had been focused on honoring the corps of docents who welcomed visitors to the Museum. This year, due to the special demands of Covid over the past two years, we broadened our appreciation to everyone who had helped the Museum continue its work - from helping put on the barbecue to cleaning up after the wine cruise to getting us organized for our new visitor schedule. 

Our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one who has given so much in a difficult time! 

A key part of the mission of the STCHS is to promote an awareness and appreciation of the history of our area. For this reason, we were pleased to take part in a community outreach event for a multi-use trail intended for the old Hetch Hetchy railroad (HHRR) right-of way in Groveland.   

On Saturday, November 12, thanks to the organizational efforts of the Groveland Community Service District (GCSD) and the Sonora-based Blue Zones Project (affiliated with Adventist Health), Groveland residents were able to learn about a proposed trail to promote better health in our area. The planned trail would follow the HHRR right-of-way that was used in the 1910 - 30s in the construction of the HH dam. The first stage of the route would connect Laveroni Park with the new Resilience Center.

STCHS was asked to provide the approximately 50 participants a brief glimpse into the history of the area. As shown the photo, STCHS 'historians" gathered the group together to give the background of the HH project, to view the locations of key buildings (now demolished) such as the hospital and the maintenance yard, as well several old mines in the area. As planned, STCHS would be involved in preparing historical information for visitors.

It is a terrific opportunity for the Museum to advance its education mission. Our thanks to GCSD, Blue Zones, and others for the chance to be part of this exciting project!

On Saturday, October 29, a combined crew from the Groveland Museum and the Groveland Garden Club attacked the cumulative effects of summer and fall weather by cleaning up the grounds around the Museum. A special focus was to repair the outside exhibit of the "arrastra," the historical mine equipment used to break up gold ore. The main beam had broken. Dave Roberts of STCHS obtained a suitable replacement beam and carefully installed a new one. Other crew members cleaned up leaves, branches, and general clutter. Our heartfelt thanks to each and every one!