The California Historical Society was founded in 1871. A nonprofit, privately funded, membership organization, CHS is the state’s official historical society. Its mission is to engage the public’s interest and participation in collecting, preserving, and presenting art, artifacts, and written materials relevant to the history of California, and to support historical research, publication, and educational activities.

CHS maintains, preserves, and shares an unparalleled collection of photographs, letters, diaries, manuscripts, business records, fine art, newspapers, and books. Your donations, through gifts, membership, and museum store purchases, support educational programs and historical collections documenting California’s dynamic and evolving history.

Individual contributions support 45% of the Society’s regular budget, with the balance of funding coming from private foundations and earned income. The Society receives no regular funding from the state. Eighty percent of the Society’s expenses fund public programs, including collections, exhibitions, publications, and education.

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