KC Historical Society comes ‘home’ to Kern County Museum
The Kern County Historical Society for many years had an office at the Kern County Museum.
Then in 1982, due to some sort of dispute — or what Museum Director Mike McCoy called a “kerfuffle” — the Historical Society left.
More than 40 years later, McCoy decided it was time to end the society’s exile and bring the group back to the museum.
It has come home once again with its own office on the museum grounds.
“The Kern County Museum was founded by the Historical Society,” McCoy said, “and they are our biggest booster group.
“The society provides volunteers for our research projects and history docents for tours,” said McCoy, who was a member of the Historical Society when he was in high school.
“It’s a wonderful partnership and we are thrilled they are back in Pioneer Village.”
Elise Sotello, current president of the society, said having a brick-andmortar location — and not just a P.O. box — has been a longtime goal for the society.
“According to some old stationery we have, the society began in 1931 and was responsible for starting the museum,” she said in a text.
“So having an office at the museum, it definitely feels like a full circle. We are very grateful to Dr. McCoy and the museum for finding the space to give us a home.”
The office space is directly adjacent to the Owtsan House Native American Education Center, which opened in September.
“Before there was a Kern County Museum or a Kern County Historical Society, there were local citizens who appreciated our history and worked to preserve it,” said longtime society member Kitty DeArmond.
“The museum and society are the result of this collaboration. It only stands to reason that we should work together.”
McCoy is supporting the society by giving it a home, rent-free, a home it has not enjoyed for some four decades.
“Hopefully we will be able to return the favor with volunteers and docents,” DeArmond said. “There have been several meetings to encourage participation in museum activities.”
According to DeArmond, Historical Society membership has declined in recent years as the organization’s membership has grown older. It’s a worrisome trend, but one they hope to reverse.
“KCHS has recently approved a new membership category: Students, high school and college, who hopefully will someday continue to support interest in local history,” she said. “School tours are an important part of this.”
For information about becoming a member of the Kern County Historical Society, send an email to KCHS1931@gmail.com.