The Humboldt County Historical Society (HCHS), one of the premier regional historical societies in the West, is located in Eureka

Eureka, California

Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....

, Humboldt County, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

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Overview

The society is open to requests by the public for research in the society's collection, which consists mostly of documents. HCHS also provides a number of educational opportunities, including frequent public talks on various aspects of Humboldt County History. The HCHS publishes the Humboldt Historian, a quarterly academic quality periodical. Subscription is included in membership.

Mission

The society provides the following statement of purpose: The HCHS shall further an understanding and appreciation of all peoples, places, events, and activities of Humboldt County and related areas. The society shall accomplish this by acquiring, creating, preserving, interpreting and disseminating historical information and by assisting others to do the same.

Gross-Wells-Barnum House

The society offices are housed in the former home of the late Helen Wells Barnum, previous owner of the historic Eureka Inn

Eureka Inn

The Eureka Inn in Eureka, California, is a four story, 104 room Elizabethan Tudor Revival architectural style hotel, which dates from 1922. In 1982 the structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places...

. Built by her maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Reuben Gross, in 1902, the beautiful two-story Colonial Revival style house was donated to the Society in 1993 through Mrs. Barnum's estate. Much of the lower floor of the home is open to the public during business hours.

Bookstore

The HCHS bookstore offers the most extensive array of historical publications (over 100) and historic photos on the region.

Collections

The Historical Society is the primary repository for print materials, maps, and photographs that have a bearing on Humboldt County history. To date there are more than 50 separate collections of documents cared for by the society.

Research Library

The Society's Research Library contains collections of genealogical information as well as local history. The research library is available on a drop-in basis during our open hours. Research requests are best handled by mail or e-mail and non-members are charged fees.

Programs and events

HCHS Lecture Series is monthly on the first Saturday in the Humboldt County Library (Main branch - Eureka) meeting room (1:30 PM)

External links

• Humboldt County Historical Society website