Phone: 916-685-8115
E-Mail: eghs@elkgrovehistoricalsociety.com
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 562, Elk Grove, CA 95759

We are located at
9941 East Stockton Boulevard (adjacent to the west entrance of Elk Grove Regional Park).
Heritage Park gives visitors the experience of looking into the past and the rich history of the city of Elk Grove.
The Park grounds consists of
- The 1850 Elk Grove House & Stage Stop Museum
- The 1853 Foulks House Museum
- The 1912 San Joaquin Township Justice Court and Jail Museum
- The old style Blacksmith Shop with statue
- The Dennis Buscher Plaza
- Bathroom facilities and lawns
The park is open for FREE tours every first Saturday of each month (February through October) from noon to 4:00 pm or upon request. We close in November to get ready for our “Old Fashioned Christmas” event.
Volunteering
Do you have a little time on your hands and want to help out at your own pace and when you are available, give us a call. Everybody at the Elk Grove Historical Society volunteers at many levels and we always have a lot of things going on (see below). The key is we appreciate any help. Contact our volunteer coordinator Pat Lake and she can help you find your interest at (951) 377-3312 cel or stanpatlake@gmail.com. We have a great bunch of people to work with and we have a lot of fun.
CURRENT INFORMATION and COMING EVENTS


Speakers Series
Each year the historical society gathers eight history speakers to share their knowledge with the community. Their hour long presentation is given on the third Monday evening of the month, usually including a power point slide show and often items on display. Here is what has been set up for 2023…
January 16 – Dr. Robert Benedetti, We really enjoyed “Famous Authors Who Wrote About the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.”
February 20 – Daniel Tarnasky, Thank you for a great presentation on the “History of Galt”
March 20 – Ex-Mayor Steve Ly

Sacramento County has been home to Steve Ly and his family for 26 years. As a nationally recognized educator, Steve has devoted his entire career to educating young people and creating the communities that help them thrive. Driven by his passion to help every youth succeed, Steve was initially elected by Elk Grove residents to serve as a trustee on the Elk Grove Unified School Board. Subsequently, in November of 2014, Steve was elected to the Elk Grove City Council. In 2015, he was elected by the Elk Grove City Council to serve as the City’s first Vice Mayor of Asian Pacific Islander descent. In 2016, he was elected as Mayor and was re-elected in November 2018 to his second term as Mayor. Steve was the second directly elected Mayor of the city and also the first and only Mayor of Hmong descent in the nation.
Steve’s leadership and commitment to serving his community has earned him numerous awards: Invictus Youth Impact Award, TOFA Community Leadership Award, KVIE Hero of the Year Award, California State Assembly and Senate Commendation, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Day of Peace Award-Sacramento County Probation Department, and the School Violence Prevention Award-Sacramento County Criminal Justice Cabinet. Steve has also previously served on the Asian Pacific School Board Members Association (APISBMA), Carroll Elementary School Site Council, California State Advisory Council on Refugee Assistance and Services, Elk Grove Optimist Club and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Community Advisory Board. He is a proud graduate of the University of California, Davis. After earning degrees in Sociology and Political Science, Steve continued his education and subsequently earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence.
On a daily basis, Steve continues to provide academic support to foster youth students and young people in juvenile hall. More recently, he was appointed the President and CEO of Asian American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation (AACLAD) a non-profit civil rights organization.
“The Origin of the Hmong Culture
The presentations are always on the third Monday evening of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00) at the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50. Always Free, open to the public, and we have snacks.
April 17 – Linda Wheatly

“Effie Foulks: Elk Grove Legend or Real Person”
May 15 – Dave Lema

David is the Chairman of the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation which was established to honor Linda after her passing in 2015. The objective of the Foundation is to research, record, and present the personal stories and family histories of the greater area of Elk Grove. To date, over 300 audio casts which tell these stories have been produced and published on the Foundation web site.
“Memorial Day Recognition – Stories of Elk Grove Area Veterans Lost in Battle During WW I, WW II, Korea & Vietnam Wars”
In recognition of Memorial Day, David will present a collage of audio casts which relate stories of Elk Grove area service members lost in Twentieth Century conflicts around the world. These audio casts bring poignant details of extraordinary courage and bravery, of expectations and hopes, and of the impact losing them had on their families and community.
The presentations are always on the third Monday evening of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00) at the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50. Always Free, open to the public, and we have snacks.
June 19 – Dave Stuart

“The History of Motorcycles in the San Joaquin Valley 1900-1970”
David Stuart, who has presented to EGHS several times in the past, is the coauthor of a new book, Motorcycling in California’s Central Valley. It’s a pictorial history with more than 200 historic photos focusing on San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and covering 1900 to 1970.
Stuart’s PowerPoint presentation will outline the history of motorcycling in the Northern San Joaquin Valley using historic photos from the book. It will include the origins of motorcycles at the end of the Victorian era, working riders, motorcycle club activities, dealers and shops, and various types of racing competition. Profiles of regional hall-of-fame motorcyclists spanning each of seven decades will be included.
The presentations are always on the third Monday evening of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00) at the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50. Always Free, open to the public, and we have snacks.
The book was one of his post-retirement projects. Dave will have copies of the book available for sale and signing.
If you are interested in a preview of the book, click here.
July and August – Summer Recess
September 18 – Dave Lema
David is the Chairman of the Linda Mae Mahon Lema Foundation which was established to honor Linda after her passing in 2015. The objective of the Foundation is to research, record, and present the personal stories and family histories of the greater area of Elk Grove. To date, over 300 audio casts which tell these stories have been produced and published on the Foundation web site.
The presentations are always on the third Monday evening of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00) at the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50. Always Free, open to the public, and we have snacks.
October 16 – Dave Freeman
David Freeman, living in the suburbs of the small Glenn County town of Artois, Glenn County, is a former map and compass toting Boy Scout. He has, over the years, updated his geo- location skills with drone imagery and LIDAR to the cutting-edge standards of today. A semi-retired Building Contractor, today he spans the gap between the historical community and the surveying establishment. David uses period maps to convert period sites and features to usable GPS coordinates using both GIS and Map Regression Analysis with the final step being the application of applied shoe leather to discover the target sites. He is currently a member of Trails West and is on the Board of Directors, Vice President and lead on the Historical Committee. He writes a regular column in the Colusa Historical Society Publication, “Wagon Wheels” on the progress of his discoveries. He also leads a group of volunteers which include 2 archaeologists, a surveyor, hydrologist and Native American specialist which are primarily hunting out the historical features and sites of Peter Lassen. For the past 13 years I have been searching and mapping historical sites and features related to the period of 1840- 1860. Using GIS coupled with Map Regression Analysis.
“The Mill and Early Development of Jared Sheldon – Sloughhouse to Rancho Murieta – circa 1843”
In this presentation we will explore the early Mill and canals of the Consumnes River development of Jared Sheldon. The canals and mill were designed and for the most part constructed by another early California pioneer Peter Lassen with evidence that some or all of the water wheel components were sawn by the former President of the Bear Flag Republic, William B. Ide. Come and help unravel this long forgotten patchwork of history.
The presentations are always on the third Monday evening of the month, at 6:30 pm (doors open at 6:00) at the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50. Always Free, open to the public, and we have snacks.
November and December – Holiday Recess
Please understand these history presentations are for you to learn about the rich history of our community. It’s an hour of amazing people sharing what they know with a power point presentation and often several artifacts. Please considering coming and see for yourself.
They are all on the third Monday evenings of the month, at 6:30 pm at our usual place, the Presbyterian Church at 8153 Elk Grove Boulevard. Turn north on to Big Horn and it’s behind the Chevron Station, Suite 50.
Always FREE, open to the public, and we provide refreshments.

Annual Events
The Elk Grove Historical Society, besides our speaker series, hosts and partners with EIGHT specific events through the year,
Here are the next on the calendar:
2023
1. Big Day of Giving: May 4, 2023
Always the first Thursday in May. A 24-hour online event, but from 10:00 to 3:00 the museum will be open to help with your donations.
2. Civil War Days: May 6-7, 2023
To purchase tickets, click on “Civil War Days at Mahon Ranch”on the Menu to the Left
Always the first weekend in May at the Mahon Ranch (10171 Grantline Road, Elk Grove, 95624)
3. Derby Day Spring Tea: May 13, 2023
Click here to buy tickets with credit card – $50 each
Always the Saturday before Mothers Day at the museum
4. Yard Sale: June 22, 23, 24, 25
Usually the third weekend in June at the museum, 4 days from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
5. Founders Day and The Elk Grove Historical Society’s Elizabeth Pinkerton History Award presentation
The first weekend of September
6. The Mahon Ranch Hop & Brew Fest – September 17
Usually held the third Saturday in September at the Mahon Ranch (10171 Grantline Road, Elk Grove, 95624)
7. Black Tie and Santa: Sunday, November 26
The last Sunday of November at the museum from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
8. Old Fashion Christmas
The first three weekends of December before Christmas
9. Miscellaneous Activities
We also enjoy speaker presentations (see above), free first Saturday tours, bus trips, dedications, and special events that will vary from year to year. We always need volunteers and appreciate any help anyone cares to give. Just leave a message on the museum phone (916) 685-8155

First Saturday and Virtual Museum Tours
The Museum (Heritage Park) and Rhoads School are open for FREE tours every first Saturday of each month (February through October) from noon to 4:00 pm (Rhoads School 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm) or upon request. We close in November to get ready for our “Old Fashioned Christmas” event.
We also have made a short six minute virtual tour video to give you an idea on what you may experience when you visit. Click here for the YouTube link.


[Click here] for direct link to Bookstore

Enjoy. Thank you.
