The Modoc County Historical Society was established in 1978 to help preserve and promote interest in the history of the far northeastern corner of California. The society's museum documents the development of the Modoc County area through displays of American Indian artifacts and firearms that date from the 15th century through World War II.

The museum offers exhibits.
NOTE: Per website museum is currently closed

The mission of the Society is to discover, collect, preserve and present the documents, artifacts, structures and properties of Del Norte County. The Society currently operates the museums on 5th and H Streets and in the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City.

The Main Museum has a wealth of interesting displays. One room is devoted to artifacts of the local Tolowa and Yurok Native Americans. It includes one of the finest Native American basket collections in Northern California. Musical instruments, old radio, phonographic and photographic equipment, excellent needlework, early logging and mining tools and equipment, and many fashions and furniture from yesteryear are just some of the objects and subjects represented and on display in the Main Museum.

The Bolen Annex houses the magnificent First Order Fresnel Lens from the Saint George Reef Lighthouse. Photo carousels throughout the museum as well as on the walls of various rooms chronicle the historical visual representations of the people and events of Del Norte County.

The Andres Pico Adobe is one of the oldest residences in the City of Los Angeles. It represents a bygone era and the rich historical past of the San Fernando Valley. Inside are museum displays of native American beads, Mission and Spanish-Mexican era artifacts, costumes and clothing that span more than a century, and furniture from the Victorian era, when the Adobe was home to members of the Pico family.

"The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial offers one of the most exciting, realistic, and valuable fire service experiences available anywhere in the world. With two museum facilities, plus our new memorial plaza, your fire service adventure is just around the corner. We have more rigs, more photos, more artifacts and more history than anyone..."

The Society's Museum focuses on exhibits exploring Folsom's native people; the discovery of gold and the formation of mining camps; ethnic groups who contributed to this area; the formation of the town and the growth and establishment of the railroad, prison, and powerhouse; and later efforts at gold mining. The Museum's Pioneer Living History Center allows visitors a look at Folsom's past through vehicles; machines; equipment; and replicas of a miner's shack, blacksmith shop, carriage shed, and more.

The society offers educational and recreational events; the museum offers exhibits, tours, and educational programs.

"The galleries at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian are closed to the public at this time. However, the Museum Store is open on Saturdays and Sundays and we will continue to offer great programs and events throughout the year.

The galleries are closed due to extensive rehabilitation of the building and conservation of its rare collection of Native American artifacts, with the goal of moving most of the collection to a new state-of-the-art home by 2009. Plans call for the infrastructure improvements to the Southwest Museum to be completed by 2010, when the building will be open for a new cultural use, fulfilling founder Charles Lummis' vision and belief that all indigenous peoples be understood."