Preserving Our History At Tulare County Museum

As early as the 1920s, an effort was made to establish a museum for Tulare County. This initial effort failed, but reemerged in 1936 when Hugh Mooney left $5,000 to Tulare County for park improvements. The county chose to build a museum with the money; however, the lingering Depression and World War II delayed construction. The building was not finished until 1948.

Tulare County Museum operates on a county budget approved by the Board of Supervisors. However since the beginning, Tulare County Historical Society has been actively involved in the museum's growth, donating funds for additions and repairs, as well as members' time and effort to restore old structures.

Tulare County Museum

Amy King, Museum Curator

Mooney Grove Park

27000 S. Mooney Blvd.

Visalia, CA 93277

559.733.6616

Tulare County Museum Board

Bill Horst (TCHS)

Louise Jackson (TCHS)

Joanne Ledbetter (TCHS)

Brian Lewis (Tulare County Library)

Amy King (Museum Curator)

Neil Pilegard (County Manager/Parks & Recreation)

The Mountain Connection Exhibit

The Tulare County Historical Society, in cooperation with the Tulare County Museum, has developed a MOUNTAIN CONNECTION EXHIBIT to display important facets of our Sierra Nevada. A new feature is highlighted every six to nine months. Earlier exhibits included introduction to Tulare County's Sierra Nevada mountains, its prehistoric people, and early explorers of the region.

Our latest display, "Early Settlers of the Southern Sierra," depicts the lifestyle of the first Euro-Americans to inhabit Tulare County's Sierra Nevada mountains. Features include reasons why the early settlers were willing to tackle the lonely, hard life of mountain living, the work their lives entailed, the pleasures they enjoyed, a replica of a log cabin, scenes of typical activities, artifacts and photographs. At the exhibit's Discovery Center, learn about activities of the men, women and children, how they made a living, and homes they built.

Each display is developed and maintained by community volunteers. If you would like to help, please email Louise Jackson.

Tulare County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

We appreciate all donations supporting our Museum Improvement Fund.