People make history, and everyone has a story to tell.

Since 1871, the California Historical Society has been telling the stories of individuals and communities through exhibitions and educational programs, and by providing free access to our expansive and remarkable collections. We steward one of the most important holdings of primary and secondary resources which include over 35,000 volumes of books and pamphlets, more than 4,000 manuscript collections, and some 500,000 photographs documenting California’s social, cultural, economic, and political history and development. With stunning art works on canvas, maps, ephemera, posters, broadsides, periodicals, and newspapers relating to the history of California and the West from the early explorations to the present time, the CHS collection is an essential resource to anyone seeking to better understand California.

You are a vital part of the California Historical Society. We invite you to help us continue to preserve and tell your stories—our stories—in the coming years. Your contributions sustain us and inspire us to continue to make California history real and relevant.

There are several ways for you to show your support for CHS, including becoming a member, making a donation, or joining the California Legacy Circle:

Make a donation

Your gift is fully tax-deductible, and is a vital contribution to the preservation and continued stewardship of the history of California.

Join the California Legacy Circle

We invite you to make your legacy California’s legacy. Planned gifts–through a bequest, charitable trust, or other estate-giving vehicle–will ensure that your passion for California history will continue to be expressed long into the future.