In 1922, a group of people interested in the historical preservation of the original Tulare County organized Tulare County Historical Society.

Much of the credit for that project must be attributed to Miss Gretchen Flower, a long time Tulare County Librarian at that time, and to George W. Stewart, who was known as the "Father of Sequoia National Park." For a time the Society prospered, but interest and membership gradually declined.

The Society was revived in 1943 and the group then identified three general goals.

Preservation of the past of original Tulare County

Construction of a museum, and

Observation of the Centennials of both Tulare County and Visalia.

Adolph Sweet was elected the first President of the Tulare County Historical Society in October 1944. Several hundred people from all parts of the county attended the meeting in the old Visalia City Auditorium.

Today, the Society has accomplished its original goals set forth in 1943. And with over 1,000 members we continue promoting interest in the history of Tulare County and preserving the heritage of our area for future generations!