About Our Organization
Established in 1850
The Society of California Pioneers is a not-for-profit historical society dedicated to advancing the knowledge and appreciation of early California history for the benefit of present and future audiences of all ages.
Our members are all direct descendants of anyone who was in California prior to December 31, 1849 at midnight. We have members all over the United States and the world. We proudly share our unique collection of California history with the public through the internet, our research library, our museum exhibitions, and our programs.
We encourage the public to use critical thinking skills to actively engage with and address contemporary issues and to value history for its relevance to modern life.
"Studying history means thinking critically about the world and our place in it. It involves evaluating many different perspectives and figuring out how past events affect our lives today. By studying history, we build critical thinking skills that apply to all aspects of our lives – and we develop a deeper understanding of our society and how it came to be.
Focusing on critical thinking helps people recognize the value of grappling with different perspectives and understandings of the past. It helps us see that history can be rigorous and grounded while admitting discussion of different ideas and reconsideration of old understandings."
— Making History Matter: From Abstract Truth to Critical Engagement (2022) —
