Society

Membership

Join the SMV Historical Society

Benefits include:

  • Individual/Family: Open House @ Museum with refreshments, newsletter, and events, access to the library.
  • Patriot: Plus 10 hours of volunteer help with research.
  • Patron: Plus 25 hours of volunteer help with research.
  • Lifetime: Plus Unlimited access to online research tools.
  • Planned Giving: Please ask us about planned giving.

*Thank you to all who have renewed their membership. Your support helps keep our museum open.

TELL A FRIEND and INVITE YOUR FAMILY

Membership Form

1 + 14 =

Members also receive access to a research room with discounted research assistance depending upon the membership level. Contact us for details.

History

Santa Maria Valley Historical Society

During the Golden Anniversary celebration of the Incorporation of the City of Santa Maria, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society was organized, charted and incorporation on September 7, 1955 as a non-profit organization.

You can view the original signatures of the charter members on display at the museum. Currently, the membership is over 100 persons. The original chartered members of the Society were those who lived in the valley. We now have members from all over the state who have family ties to the area. Membership is open to any person interested in the Valley and California history.

The purposes of the Historical Society are to collect, preserve, present and share the history of all the people of the Santa Maria Valley. Also, the museum administers the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum. The Society holds a yearly meeting and historical programs throughout the year along with printing a quarterly newsletter.

Volunteer

Volunteer Request

The Santa Maria Valley Historical Society is always looking for volunteers. Your support is invaluable to us. Call us at 805-922-3130 or email smvhsmuseum@gmail.com if you are interested.

Volunteers act as docents, perform computer tasks such as scanning and data entry, help with research, and more. You may choose to do what you are interested in learning. Training is provided for all volunteer tasks except grant writing. Typically, volunteers are able to work any hours they want (at least two hours at a time) between 11am and 4pm, Tuesday through Saturday and at special events. If you would like to participate, please complete the following.