The San Lorenzo Valley Museum

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve the history of the San Lorenzo Valley through collecting and exhibiting artifacts, gathering historical information, and providing education through the San Lorenzo Valley Museum and our educational outreach programs.

History
The first Board of Directors, Ralph Wilcox, Walt Bachrach, and John Holm, founded the Boulder Creek Historical Society in March 1976. The first museum was the Boulder Creek Museum and for twenty years it resided in a second floor office just outside of downtown Boulder Creek.

Through a generous bequest, the Boulder Creek Historical Society was able to purchase the original Grace Episcopal Church building residing in what was originally the town of Lorenzo, situated between Brookdale and Boulder Creek. Renovations had to he completed to bring the all old-growth redwood structure up to current building codes. In December 1999 the Boulder Creek Historical Society officially opened its new San Lorenzo Valley Museum, broadening its scope from just Boulder Creek to preserving the history of the entire San Lorenzo Valley.

Since December 1999 a new annex building has replaced two original module buildings for the storage of collections and providing areas for meetings and administration. Landscaping has begun. Exhibit rotation is underway, and new exhibits planned. Yearly events include a series of historical talks with expert speakers, the annual San Lorenzo Valley Community Picnic, Children’s Victorian Christmas, and a booth at the Boulder Creek Art and Wine Festival. Our educational outreach program includes docent-led museum field trips for local schools, historic walking tours of Boulder Creek, and tours for various organizations.