Become a Member or Donate
Membership is what keeps the museum thriving. Every dollar goes towards expanding programming and developing exhibits that convey an accurate account of the character, the accomplishments and the day-to-day challenges of Lake County’s turn of the century settlers.
Lake County Historical Society and the Ely Stage Stop are run and developed by volunteers dedicated to preserving the rich history of Lake County. Funding, through memberships dues, donations and fundraising, enables them to continue to operate as a 501c3 nonprofit.
Online Memberships and Donations payments will be available soon! Until then, please use the button to download our printable form to send with your check payment.
A great way to create a lasting legacy is to create a memorial donation in the name of a special person. Plans are in place to have memorial donations displayed on site.
Your support ensures the preservation of Lake County’s history and enables hands-on educational experiences for generations to come. Thank you!
Thanks to All of Our
Generous Supporters!
2024 Ely’s Year in Review
We started the year off with our monthly Fiddler's Jams.
Donations: Carol Biggs contacted the Ely to offer her collection of restored carriages to the Historical Society. She felt it would be the best place to keep the collection together and available for the public to enjoy.
April: The restored 1890 Kelseyville Jail Grand Opening and ribbon cutting.
May: The Blacksmith Shop Grand Opening and ribbon cutting, Historical Society Annual Picnic, Literacy Group meets at Ely, Bill Lane's birthday party at Ely, Wedding at Ely
June: Docent potluck at the Parker's Place.
September: Pear Festival and Parade
October: Certified Tourism Amabassador training and tour, Ely Fiddler's potluck
December: Santa visits the Ely Museum with a sack full of candy canes and the Fiddlers treat us with holiday songs.
Visitors: In 2024, the Ely Museum hosted more than 1,000 visitors. Altogether, museum visitors represent 13 countries, 34 states, and 142 California cities.
A Very Big Thank You to our Docents, Volunteers, Donors and Supporting Members, and to Our Guests!
Monthly Fiddler's Jams kept the barn hopping.
Carol Biggs donates carriages to the Historical Society.
Museum docents enjoy a potluck BBQ at Parker's place.
A fun wedding in the Oak Grove.
Long-time volunteer Bill Lane's Birthday in the barn.
Certified Tourism Ambassador program and tour at the Ely.
Santa shows up with candy canes and tries out the blacksmith shop.
Fiddlers have a potluck BBQ at Parker's place.
May's grand opening of the Richard Paddock Blacksmith Shop.
April's ribbon cutting for the newly restored 1890's Kelseyville Jail.
2023 Was a Big Year!
The Ely Stage Stop Museum in the Rear-view Mirror
In 2023, the museum saw a minimum of 1,300 visitors. Museum visitors represent 13 countries, 34 states, and 142 California cities. We have officially recovered from the Covid low attendence in 2020 of 440.
From 50 to 100 visitors enjoyed our once-a-month Fiddler's Jam events each month throughout the year.
Our annual picnic in May was the best.
In July, we were able to recover an ore cart from Sulphur Bank Mine and the Lower Lake 4-H crew helped sort through some of the horse tack in our collection.
Volunteers began work in August on restoring the Fitch 4-Drive tractor.
In September, the Kelseyville Jail was moved to its new foundation and restored. The Blacksmith Shop got its signage. The Ferron Freight Wagon restoration was finished, brought back to the Ely, and made its first appearance in the Kelseyville Pear Fest Parade. University students from around the U.S. gathered at the Ely for an Emergency Services meeting.
Restoration began in November on the 1906 Peerless Motor Co. Engine that will run the blacksmith shop line shaft.
December brought Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus to the Ely Stage Stop. The Lake County Wine Alliance provided a grant to assist the Museum in its curation efforts for 2024.
Other projects included new barn doors on the blacksmith barn, a Fire Safe Display by the Fire Safe Council, the purchase, training, and installation of portable defibulators, new plants and caretaking of the Native Plant Garden, and the development and mounting of 6 new interpretive panels.
A Very Big Thank You to our Docents, Volunteers, Donors and Supporting Members, and to Our Guests!
