Lake Tahoe Historical Society

Lake Tahoe Historical Society South Lake Tahoe's only museum features artifacts, photos, a movie theater, walking tours both inside and out, bookstore and much more!

In 1968, a group of volunteers gathered artifacts and established a small museum in the city of South Lake Tahoe. Featuring Washoe artifacts, the Pony Express, early industry, a farm exhibit, the role of steamships, the Lincoln Highway. We have an extensive array of photographs from Tahoe's history available for purchase, along with a great bookstore, postcards, cards and gifts. Our movie theater

continuously shows movies from Tahoe's past. The Log Cabin is open during the summer, and the adjacent Osgood Toll house is the oldest commercial building on the South Shore. Take our walking history tour, let the kids take a history scavenger hunt....you could spend a day enjoying Lake Tahoe History!

The Wagon Train is here
05/31/2026

The Wagon Train is here

Stop by the museum at 11 a.m. Sunday to see the horses and riders as the lunch in our parking lot.
05/30/2026

Stop by the museum at 11 a.m. Sunday to see the horses and riders as the lunch in our parking lot.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Highway 50 Association has been celebrating America’s past since 1949 with the annual Wagon Train from South Lake Tahoe to Placerville. Ten wagons and […]

Our next two-part history talk coming in April and May - learn the history of South Shore schools!
04/12/2026

Our next two-part history talk coming in April and May - learn the history of South Shore schools!

We are open today, Dec. 20! Come by for shopping...stocking staffers, books, jewelry, old photos and more! Enjoy one of ...
12/20/2025

We are open today, Dec. 20! Come by for shopping...stocking staffers, books, jewelry, old photos and more! Enjoy one of our free movies too! Here 11am to 3 pm

It was so much fun being a part of the 5th Festival of Winter Lights. This is our 13th year of having Santa Scott and m...
12/14/2025

It was so much fun being a part of the 5th Festival of Winter Lights. This is our 13th year of having Santa Scott and many years of Holidays in History! 100s of children and families got to pop in our restored 1860s Toll House to see the jolly man!

12/13/2025

We loved seeing everyone last night during Festival of Winter Lights! Over 640 stopped by to take a tour. We have our 1930s cabin open and decorated, the historic Osgood Toll House is decorated and Santa is in there in front of the fire. Come by Saturday between 4 pm and 8 pm!

Holidays in History and Festival of Winter Lights this weekend! 4:00 PM TO 8PM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY!Free tours of the ...
12/11/2025

Holidays in History and Festival of Winter Lights this weekend!

4:00 PM TO 8PM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY!
Free tours of the History Museum and 1930s Log Cabin Christmas Exhibit, a visit with Santa inside the historic Osgood Toll House,
a free giant 3-D paper snowflake (with purchase
of $25 or more) in the History Museum Bookstore, and hot chocolate and cookies for a donation with proceeds benefiting the Lake Tahoe Historical Society.

WHERE: The History Museum Complex
3058 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA

EVENT PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
Parking is limited. May we suggest carpooling, taking public transportation, or a free Lake Link shuttle to and from the event. Parking is available at the City of So. Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. And along Rufus Allen Blvd.

GINGERBREAD HOUSE VILLAGE:
Wander through and cast your vote for your
favorite gingerbread house.

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC
OF THE SEASON:
Stroll through the sparkling Trail of Lights, enjoy
a festive Winter Carriage Ride with Tahoe Sleigh Ride,
snap a photo by the Christmas Fire Engine,
create holiday magic with Kids Activities
by the Tahoe Art League,
shop at booths with local vendors, visit nonprofit
stands with holiday goodies, enjoy live entertainment,
and partake in a festive food and beverage lineup with
Fusion 2 Go, Sombreros, Trail Folk Coffee Co.,
Trout’s Portable Pub, and Pop, Crunch, & Munch.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
11/27/2025

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

ROWLAND’S, LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – November 30, 1876 – Yes, this is accurate. The following story is from Rowland’s Lake Tahoe, and yes, it is dated November 30, 1876 – […]

Hope you can join us again on Saturday!
10/29/2025

Hope you can join us again on Saturday!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On November 1, 1975, at 12:01 a.m., the Lake Tahoe Historical Society held a reburial ceremony of Arthur Marion Hill at the Al Tahoe Pioneer […]

Hope you can make it Wednesday! 6 pm to 7 pm
10/29/2025

Hope you can make it Wednesday! 6 pm to 7 pm

Address

3058 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South Lake Tahoe, CA
96150

Opening Hours

11am - 3pm

Telephone

(530) 541-5458

Website

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