Placerville Historical Museum

The Placerville Historical Museum offers exhibits and information about the town of Placerville and El Dorado County. The area is one of the most historic in California and many people interested in the history of the state and their own personal ancestory visit the museum every year. The mission of the museum is to " exhibit and interpret the heritage of the County in a current, accurate, and engaging manner; to be a valuable historical resource to the community through its well-organized research facility, historical exhibits, and educational programs; to collect, document, and preserve artifacts and records significant to the history of El Dorado; County using the highest standards of scholarship and professional museum and archival practices; to provide a rewarding experience for volunteers and enhance the museum's significance to the community." Visitors are able to browse the exhibits and photographs that show how life used to be in the area. There is also a collection of tools made by the Miwok, Maidu and Washoe tribes who inhabited the region prior to the Gold Rush. Following the Gold Rush, El Dorado grew into a thriving community filled with hotels, businesses, schools, stores, churches and civic organizations. The museum outlines the history of the town from agrarian Native American community through its status today in the state. There is also an extensive People File where genealogists can collect information on the history of their ancestors in the area.