Independently and in partnership with others, the California Historical Society collects, preserves, documents, and makes accessible to the public the state’s continuing heritage.

The CHS collection represents the social, political, economic, industrial, agricultural, technological, and cultural heritage of the entire state, including materials from outside the region that may contribute to understanding the region and its people. In general, CHS collects the materials that:

• are used by, created by or document people of California; and
• illustrate regional, state, national, or international cultures, experiences, or events specifically relating to or promote understanding of the continuing heritage of the California.

In 2008, the Fine Arts, Photography, and Research collections were integrated into a single administrative whole, known as the CHS Collection.

To view CHS's Collection Management Policy, please click here.

California Ephemera Project