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News and Events

Virtual Tour Available

We are happy to share with you the results of our latest endeavor – a Virtual Tour of the History Center!

Viewing Tips: Click on red targets to move to a new area. Press and hold your mouse to pan around the room. Click on arrows to navigate around the museum, then click on red pins for more information.

20 Earliest Years of Newsletter Available Online

Great news! All of the Historical Society’s old newsletters have now been added to the “Newsletter Archives” page (click on News -> Newsletter Archives).
The recent additions of the 1990-1999 and 2000-2009 collections of newsletters now complete the newsletter archives. These archived newsletters contain a treasure trove of history articles along with news of the Society’s earliest days. The collection chronicles the group of dedicated founders and their many years of Gigantic Rummage Sales and Cowboy Show Fundraisers toward their dream of someday building a History Center.
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After perusing these old newsletters both current and past members can look with pride at the History Center and Museum of today.

“A History of the Cachagua Fire Department” available

Cachagua Fire is an all-volunteer organization that has been serving the eastern Carmel Valley area of Cachagua ever since it was first established in 1975. Many of us, however, do not know much about its proud history. A comprehensive history of the department recounts its early days to present. It includes many photos of volunteers in training or during actual emergencies.
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If you wish to support or donate to the Cachagua Volunteer Firefighters, please contact them at P.O. Box 404, Carmel Valley, CA 93924 or through their website at www.cachaguafireprotectiondistrict.com.

Carmel Valley Centennial Newspaper Available Online

Now for the first time you can download a full 56-page file of the Centennial Newspaper for your enjoyment. Since it is also “OCR’d” (digitally keyword or phrase searchable), you can also do historical research on the history of Carmel Valley. This rare issue contains many historical articles about Carmel Valley, such as: Ranching, Native Indians, noteworthy families, old schools, Valley Library service history, fire departments, churches, parks, and much more.
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* Please be advised that this download could take several minutes, depending on the speed of your connection.
RELATED: The following souvenir program adds many more details on Centennial’s August 1989 scheduled events, its organizers, the Centennial Song, Queen candidates, in addition to a few more historical articles.

We Love Our Volunteers

Volunteer docents, new and current, participated in a recent training meeting held at the History Center. All aspects of being a docent were reviewed such as opening & closing, greeting visitors, overview of exhibits, general administrative and housekeeping activities, fire alarms and safety, accepting monies for visitor purchases, and so forth. A pizza lunch wrapped up the 2 hour session.

2019 Christmas Party

Around 70 people came for the event on a day that threatened rain and wind. The party fell on the 6th Anniversary of the History Center: Dec. 7, 2019.
Old friends reunited and welcomed new friends, including a couple of our new docents. Stories of the old days could be heard in every corner of the room. Some then adjourned to see the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in the Community Park.

Video: A History of Ranching in Carmel Valley

Historical Society historian Jeff Ohlson presented a talk at the Salinas Church of the Good Shepherd’s Double Nickels luncheon group on September 11, 2019. The subject was “A History of Ranching in Carmel Valley” which was based on his book of the same title. Over 70 were in attendance which was one of their highest turnouts and a good lunch and time were had by all.
Play video (53 mins)

Better Than Rummage Sale

The “Better than Rummage Sale” fundraiser at the end of September by CVHS & CV Kiwanis was a whopping success! Shoppers were delighted with the huge selection of quality collectibles, housewares, furniture, art, jewelry, gardening tools, plants, toys, electronics, tools and seasonal items. The most frequent comment was “best sale we’ve ever been to.”

The 1989 Carmel Valley Centennial, But Was It?

New Carmel Valley History Center exhibit showcases this huge community celebration 30 years ago that actually was held in the wrong year-a recently discovered historical surprise! It was a gala affair by every account and evolved into today’s annual Fiesta, held this year August 3-4.

Stop by the History Center Museum during Fiesta hours (Saturday: 10-6/Sunday: 10-5) to learn about this great story.

Video: 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Carmel Valley Historical Society volunteers Jeff Ohlson and Reggie Jones gave a presentation at the Friends of Carmel Valley Library’s Saturday June 1, 2019 lecture series to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. This approximately 45 minute talk gave an overview of the Apollo moon missions and explained in detail how Carmel Valley’s Jamesburg Earth Station was a key link in bringing the Apollo 11 Moonwalk to TV viewers on earth.
Play video (47 mins)