About The Society

 
Old Gilroy City Hall (1905)

History: It all started when...

The Gilroy Historical Society was formed in 1966 when the Old City Hall (built in 1905) was threatened with destruction. Community members C.N. Bolfing, Robert R. Head, Kendall Pine, George W. White, Armand White, George Porcella, and Howard F. Smith came together to preserve the historic building.

Our Mission

Our mission is to inform our community about Gilroy’s unique heritage by collecting and preserving Gilroy’s artifacts and to develop educational programs and events to ensure our story continues to be told for generations to come.

Goals of the Society

  • Act as a support group for the city-owned Gilroy Museum.

  • Encourage donations of local historic materials of all types to the museum.

  • Purchase equipment or historic materials or accept donations to the museum.

  • Act as docents or researchers at the museum.

  • Lead walking tours to local historic sites.

  • Publish a newsletter, disseminate historical information, and stimulate interest in Gilroy's past by contributing articles to news sources.

  • Mark historic buildings, sites, trails.

  • Give scholarships to students of history.

  • Present awards to groups or individuals who have contributed to a better understanding of local history.

  • Preserve historic materials for donation to the museum.

  • Support and encourage preservation of buildings and sites of historic importance.

  • Provide programs for members and the public to increase awareness and understanding of history.

 
Click Here to view GHS Bylaws Approved 8/6/2025