A historical society (sometimes also preservation society) is an organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, researching, and interpreting historical information or items. Originally, these societies were created as a way to help future generations understand their heritage.
Historical societies vary in specialization, with focuses ranging from specific geographical areas such as countries or towns, universities, railways, ethnic and religious groups, to genealogy, pioneer history, and the preservation of antiques or historic buildings.
The California Historical Society’s vision is to inspire and empower people to make California’s richly diverse past a meaningful part of their contemporary lives. Our mission is to collect, share, and honor the extraordinarily diverse stories throughout our state so Read More …
The Oregon Historical Society is dedicated to making Oregon’s long, rich history visible and accessible to all. For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, Read More …
The Washington State Historical Society partners with our communities to explore how history connects us all. The Washington State Historical Society is headquartered in Tacoma on the traditional lands of the Puyallup People who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We Read More …
The Oklahoma Historical Society has been collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of our state since 1893.
The mission of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) is to “foster the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of the rich and unique history of Texas and, by example and through programs and activities, encourage and promote research, preservation, and publication Read More …
Established by an Act of the First Territorial Legislature on November 7, 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest historical agency. Architects of the Territory’s code of laws realized they were making history and that it was important Read More …
Our mission is to increase and disseminate knowledge of New Mexico and the Southwest Borderlands history through research, publications, and educational outreach, as well as to encourage the preservation of historic objects and property.
The Missouri Historical Society (MHS) was founded in St. Louis in 1866 “for the purpose of saving from oblivion the early history of the city and state.”
The mission of the State Historical Society of Missouri is to collect, preserve, publish, exhibit, and make available material related to all aspects and periods of Missouri history. SHSMO also seeks to generate interest in and appreciation of the rich Read More …
The Jackson County (Missouri) Historical Society is dedicated to the preservation and understanding of its county’s heritage and will promote the study, appreciation, and interpretation of local and regional history. The Jackson County Historical Society boasts one of the largest Read More …