Help keep history alive!
Come and celebrate with us.
Jackson County Heritage Association
Special Events Schedule
May, 2026 - September, 2026
Historic Jacksonville - Beginning May 30, you will again be able to stretch your legs in the comfort of morning temperatures while learning a little Jacksonville, Oregon history! Every Saturday through September 5, Historic Jacksonville, inc. will be offering 1-hour guided “Walk through History” tours that transport guests back to the late 1800s when Jacksonville was the hub of Southern Oregon. They will hear how gambling money built a church; how the Civil War ended a successful mercantile partnership; how a saloon housed the county’s first museum; how fire reshaped the town; and how a railroad both destroyed the town and preserved it.
Tours leave at 10 a.m. from Jacksonville’s New City Hall at 206 North 5th Street and cover about 1 mile with multiple stops. This great combination of education, exercise, and entertainment is FREE, but donations are always welcomed—all monies go towards maintaining and preserving historic buildings seen on the tour. For more information visit https://www.historicjacksonville.org/walk-through-history/ or by contacting [email protected] or calling 541-245-3650.
June, 2026 - October, 2026
Historic Jacksonville - June 12th - Jacksonville’s “ghoulies, and ghosties, and long-legged beasties” are back — not to mention stories of brothels and epidemics and hangings and arson and saloons and haunted houses! We would appreciate your letting your audience know that they can again learn about the ghosts that still linger in Jacksonville’s historic district while learning a little history about the buildings, their occupants, and life in a gold rush town. Historic Jacksonville Inc.’s guided Haunted History walking tours will again be offered on the 2nd Friday of each month in June, July. and August, with special September and October tours.
Tours leave from the Jacksonville Visitors Center at the corner of North Oregon and C streets and last about 1 hour. Guests can choose from 2 different tours each night. The Courthouse route features brothels, epidemics, and hangings. The Britt Hill tours highlight murder, arson, saloons, and Oregon’s oldest Chinatown. And both tours have lots of haunted houses! Tours are $10 per person and reservations are required. Tour starting times vary by month. Times, information, and tickets are available at www.historicjacksonville.org/haunted-history-tours/.
August, 2026
Southern Oregon Historical Society - August 1st - Cars through history classic car show at Hanley Farm For more information contact Gretchen Hamilton at 541-944-3751.
Southern Oregon Historical Society - August 14th - Annual State Archaeology Road Show is coming to the Rogue Valley! In collorbration with the SOU Laboratory of Anthroplogy, the Southern Oregon Historical Society brings the event to the Valley for the first time in over a decade. This year’s theme is “Fire & Water,” two things fundamental to the human story for all times and places.
Join us at Hanley Farm from 4:00PM to 8:00PM for the Archaeology Roadshow and learn first-hand about the ways that human lives in our region, past and present, have been shaped by fire and water.
Historic Jacksonville - Saturday, August 15th - Beekman House Victorian Hobbies & Crafts. The 1870s house, located at 470 E. California, was home to Jacksonville’s wealthiest and most prominent pioneer family. The Beekmans were skilled and talented, and they traveled extensively, collecting souvenirs from around the world.
The 19th century Industrial Revolution meant increased leisure time for upper- and middle-class Victorians, but leisure did not mean idleness. Far from it! To forestall the mischief that Satan found for idle hands, you were expected to pursue something useful and productive—that was also recuperative and relaxing. In other words, you found a hobby.
One-hour house tours highlighting popular Victorian “leisure” activities along with the Beekmans’ hobbies, crafts, and collections will begin every 20 minutes from 12 noon through 3pm. Tours are $10; tour size is capped; reservations are encouraged; and all proceeds benefit Jacksonville historic restoration projects. Walk ups will be accommodated based on space available. Reservations can be made at: https://historicjacksonville.org/victorian-theme-tours/
September, 2026
Applegate Valley Historical Society Yard Sale - September 5 & 6 at Horsefeather Farms Ranchette 13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR. Donations of items for the yard sale will be accepted after August 15th. All sales are cash only. For more information contact Maryanna at 541-941-0000.
Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (RVGS) You’re Invited to Our 60th Anniversary Open House
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Join RVGS members, friends, families, and the community as we celebrate 60 years of preserving family history, inspiring discovery, and connecting generations!
10:00 AM – Open House Begins
View the Ancestor Photo Contest entries
Vote for the People’s Choice Award
Participate in the RVGS Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win a prize
Shop the Book Sale
Browse the RVGS History Scrapbooks
Explore our Genealogy Library Resources
Visit with fellow genealogy enthusiasts
1:30 PM – Special Program Surprise featured program
(Non-members may register to receive a Zoom link for the 1:30 program by clicking here.)
Meet an author and enjoy an autograph opportunity
Announcement of the Ancestor Photo Contest Winners
3:00 PM – Ice Cream Social
Celebrate with regular, sugar-free, and dairy-free ice cream, plus your favorite toppings.
Relax and enjoy visiting with fellow family history enthusiasts!
Genealogy Week--September 28-October 3rd FREE classes see website for more information
October, 2026
November, 2026
December, 2016
The members of the Jackson County Heritage Association are dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of Jackson County for the future. The Association members participate in, plan and assist with various community events and activities: honoring veterans, school programs, off-site speakers, demonstrations, presentations, senior programs and parades to name a few.
Help keep our history alive.