South County Historical Society

The South County Historical Society operates and maintains six historic properties. All are located in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande, CA. 1) The Santa Manuela Schoolhouse is a one-room schoolhouse built in 1903 utilized today as a teaching museum. 2) The Heritage House Museum is a five room Victorian house built in 1889. 3) The Barn Museum, built by the Society in 2003, is situated between the Schoolhouse and Heritage House Museums. It houses artifacts and vehicles which highlight the evolution of the industry of South Count. 4) The Paulding History House, a few blocks away, is an 1889 Victorian complete with original furnishings. This was the home of Dr. Edwin Paulding, the first permanent medical doctor in the area, and of his wife and daughter, both educators. It is open 1st Saturday of each month and houses the Society's Teague Oral History Center. The Paulding History House is in the process of being placed on the California State Historical Register. If appropriate, the Society will seek National designation next year. 5) Placed on the National Historical Register in 1991, the 1902 IOOF Hall (Independent Order of Odd Fellows)has been retrofitted and serves as an Exhibit Hall, with rotating photos and artifacts of various subjects pertinent to the eleven communities of South San Luis Obispo County and their histories. 6) In 2006, the Society restored Ruby's House, an 1888 Victorian, adjacent to Heritage House Museum. This home serves as the Patricia Loomis History Library, housing archives and the library for research purposes. It also serves as a business office and dressing facility for weddings at the Heritage House gazebo. Artifacts collected over 32 years are currently being classified into a digital museum database that will soon be available to students and researchers, and will be on the Internet in 2008. South County Historical Society sponsors an annual antique show in February and is actively involved in publishing and selling books of local historical interest. The Society's facilities are open to over 1000 students annually and helps the local school districts in meeting their state requirements. The Society works in conjunction with other local non-profits to provide historical festivals and events in Heritage Square where four of our six buildings are located. Heritage Square sits adjacent to the Arroyo Grande Creek in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande.