History of HSMC
About the Held-Poage Memorial Home and the Archive
The Historical Society of Mendocino County is a veritable treasure trove for historical buffs, the library contains over 5,300 books covering local, state and national history, as well as over 21,000 historical photographic negatives, microfilms, documents, maps, scrapbooks, Great Registers, genealogies, extensive newspaper collection and artifacts (including Mendocino County native basketry) - all relating to Northern California history.
History of The Historical Society of Mendocino County
The Historical Society of Mendocino County was established because of the determination and insistence of Miss Marion Marvin. She contacted George Ward and on February 26, 1956 they met at the Ukiah Public Library with others to explore the idea of establishing a county wide historical society. It was determined that there was sufficient interest to go forward and contact others who might be interested in the establishment of such an organization. A notice was published in the Ukiah Daily Journal to notify the public of a meeting to see if enough support could be mustered amongst the public. This meeting was held May 6th, 1956 at the Palace Hotel. At this meeting the Historical Society of Mendocino County was officially established. The following officers were elected: George Ward, President, Mark Carpenter of Ukiah, vice-president, Miss Marion Marvin, secretary, and Richard Mazzoni, treasurer. By-laws were proposed and adopted with some revisions. Directors to represent each supervisorial district of the county were appointed by the board. They were Judge Hale McCowen of Ukiah, John Philbrick of Laytonville and Mrs. Joan Stornetta of Point Arena. The other two directors were appointed later.
1961—the Historical Society of Mendocino County filed articles of incorporation with the State of California.
1963—the historical society took on the project of restoring and dedicating the Little Red Schoolhouse on highway 20 between Willits and Fort Bragg.
1969—the family of Judge William D.L. Held donated the family's house, on the corner of Perkins and Dora streets, to the society to use as their headquarters and library under the stipulation that if the HSMC survived for 20 years, the HSMC could have the house. After much work the house was dedicated April 5, 1970.
1972—the society built and turned over to Mendocino County a Museum in Willits. The museum was dedicated on June 11, 1972.
1976—In July, the HSMC formed the Held-Poage Memorial Home and Research Library Trust Fund to provide an income that now endows the facility. This community resource, dedicated to the preservation of archival materials relating to county and state history was greatly augmented in 1983 when Estle Beard, lifetime Mendocino County resident and historian, left his extensive collection to the society's ever growing collection.
1988—Held Poage Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1989—Held-Poage Home was deeded to HSMC as the headquarters and library after the organization has continued to thrive in the local community as a beacon for maintaining and archiving historical photos, documents, collections and much more.
Since then the historical society has continued to grow over the years with its many historical documents and artifacts collecting these from all over the county and keeping them safe to sustain the community's history. Since the late 1990s HSMC has been writing and publishing their own books and journals.
1961—the Historical Society of Mendocino County filed articles of incorporation with the State of California.
1963—the historical society took on the project of restoring and dedicating the Little Red Schoolhouse on highway 20 between Willits and Fort Bragg.
1969—the family of Judge William D.L. Held donated the family's house, on the corner of Perkins and Dora streets, to the society to use as their headquarters and library under the stipulation that if the HSMC survived for 20 years, the HSMC could have the house. After much work the house was dedicated April 5, 1970.
1972—the society built and turned over to Mendocino County a Museum in Willits. The museum was dedicated on June 11, 1972.
1976—In July, the HSMC formed the Held-Poage Memorial Home and Research Library Trust Fund to provide an income that now endows the facility. This community resource, dedicated to the preservation of archival materials relating to county and state history was greatly augmented in 1983 when Estle Beard, lifetime Mendocino County resident and historian, left his extensive collection to the society's ever growing collection.
1988—Held Poage Home was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1989—Held-Poage Home was deeded to HSMC as the headquarters and library after the organization has continued to thrive in the local community as a beacon for maintaining and archiving historical photos, documents, collections and much more.
Since then the historical society has continued to grow over the years with its many historical documents and artifacts collecting these from all over the county and keeping them safe to sustain the community's history. Since the late 1990s HSMC has been writing and publishing their own books and journals.
History of the Archive
In 2016, the HSMC built an archival building which features temperature controlled rooms, fire protection, UV protection and heavy insulation. This allows at any part of the year for the facility to remain at the same temperature, fully protecting all historical documents and articles in the facility.
The archival building houses the collection of the HSMC and research facilities. It is open to the public and on-site staff and volunteers are available to assist with questions and research. To facilitate research, become a volunteer staff member, and learn more about the society and all it has to offer be sure to contact the Historical Society of Mendocino County Staff here.
The archival building houses the collection of the HSMC and research facilities. It is open to the public and on-site staff and volunteers are available to assist with questions and research. To facilitate research, become a volunteer staff member, and learn more about the society and all it has to offer be sure to contact the Historical Society of Mendocino County Staff here.
History of the Held Poage Memorial Home
The house itself is on the historical registry and was provided to the Historical Society of Mendocino County in 1969 by William P. Held for use of the home for the next 20 years as the HSMC building. William's parents: William D.L. and Ethel Poage Held, moved into the Queen Anne Victorian house, located on the corner of Dora and Perkins Street in Ukiah, soon after their marriage in 1903. Built for the munificent sum of $2,000, it remains much the same structure as originally designed by Mrs. Orr and Evans, with the addition of a new kitchen and second bathroom while the family was still in the residence.
The senior Held, known as "Billy," served in the California State Legislature between 1904-1912. Elected Mayor of Ukiah in 1928, and in 1932 he became Judge of the Superior Court of Mendocino County where he served for 12 years. Meanwhile, Ethel tended the home and children: William and Kathryn. Ethel died April 3, 1953 and her husband on March 1, 1968, the year after the family home was donated to the Historical Society.
Once the archive was built (2016) on the property, just south of the Held-Poage Home, the collections were moved from the home into the new archive and the process of restoring the home into a period home began. Once the restoration is complete the house will look as it did during the Judge Held’s lifetime. It will be open for tours as well as hold occasional events.
The senior Held, known as "Billy," served in the California State Legislature between 1904-1912. Elected Mayor of Ukiah in 1928, and in 1932 he became Judge of the Superior Court of Mendocino County where he served for 12 years. Meanwhile, Ethel tended the home and children: William and Kathryn. Ethel died April 3, 1953 and her husband on March 1, 1968, the year after the family home was donated to the Historical Society.
Once the archive was built (2016) on the property, just south of the Held-Poage Home, the collections were moved from the home into the new archive and the process of restoring the home into a period home began. Once the restoration is complete the house will look as it did during the Judge Held’s lifetime. It will be open for tours as well as hold occasional events.