Cal Vada History Foundation

03/23/2026

Come see our new displays at the CalVada Museum! Many thanks to Athena Flournoy for these wonderful items! Athena is the daughter of Aleva Cook, granddaughter of Coonse, great granddaughter of Hotchkiss. Part of the family lived in the Eagleville Hotel in the late 1800’s , early 1900’s. The glassware came from the Hotel.

Our museum is open on Saturday’s from 10am until 3pm. We look forward to seeing you.

03/06/2026

Our CalVada History Museum will be open on Saturdays in March from 10-3!

03/06/2026

CalVada History Museum will be open on Saturdays for the month of March. Open hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. See you soon!

01/28/2026

CalVada History Museum’s first event in 2026 was an amazing time with Mikie Royer sharing how to make a delicious soup from her “Thelma Sanders Winter Squash” that she grew from heirloom seeds. The soup was so yummy and we all got a copy of the recipe and some heirloom “Thelma Sanders Winter Squash” seeds!

We also enjoyed listening to stories from Karen Hill and Evelyn Moore about their families who were early settlers in Surprise Valley.

Thank you to our presenters and thank you to all who came! We look forward to seeing you in February when we host another “History Event!”

01/16/2026

Thank you Cathy Carlock for sharing this fun event!

The CalVada History Museum will be sharing Soup and Stories on Saturday, January 24 at noon in the Museum located at 521 Main Street in Cedarville. We will talk about the history of "Thelma Sanders Squash", demonstrate how simple it is to make a delicious winter squash soup, share the recipe, enjoy a hot bowl of soup, and go home with heirloom seeds you can plant in your garden this summer.
While Mikie cooks, some of the ladies of CalVada History will share stories of our Valley's past. It should be a fun hour.
Space is limited, so make your reservation today by calling Mikie at (530)640-1940. Cost is $10 per person, Calvada Legacy members attend free.

11/08/2025

CalVada History Foundation Museum is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm or by appointment. Please contact Candy Maidens for an appointment—especially if you’d like to share some Surprise Valley history with family members!
Candy: 530-708-1894

08/28/2025

Can you guess what this is?

Every year during our Modoc County Fair the Cal Vada History Foundation tries to find an item of historical significance that might not be real familiar. Thanks to everyone who participated!

This year our winner is Jim Cavasso! He correctly guessed a “skid-ski” for a wagon wheel! Also called a “skid shoe or drag shoe.” It’s job was to create drag to control the load going down hill. Good job, Jim!! 👏🏻

08/28/2025

Congratulations to Dave Evans—you won this beautiful quilt donated by Marnell Royce.

Thanks so much to everyone for supporting our history museum and we are especially grateful to Marnell Royce for her kind and very lovely donation.

08/16/2025

CalVada History Foundation will raffle off this beautiful quilt donated by Marnell Royce during the Parade on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Be sure to stop by the CalVada Museum (open Thursday, Friday and Saturday) to get your tickets! Our museum is located on Main Street in Cedarville and tickets are $5.00 each! This is a full size quilt. Thanks so much for supporting our history museum and we are especially grateful to Marnell Royce for her kind and very lovely donation.

08/07/2025

CalVada History Foundation Museum is very grateful to Eagleville Saloon -Sarah Sutton and Katy Bucher for their expertise is producing these fantastic old time photos for our museum fundraiser on Valley First Fridays! Thank you also to everyone for your support!! ❤️ We will see you in September on Friday the 5th!

06/05/2025

How can we be SO blessed in Surprise Valley—in the middle of nowhere? 🤣 The Cal Vada History Foundation is hosting an evening with a wonderful participant in the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada — Mackenzie—and music with McCourt! June 14th—at 7pm! Join us for fun and snacks! ❤️ Many thanks to Barbara March and all the sponsors for supporting our local History Foundation and Museum! ❤️

UPDATE: Tickets will be available at the door for
$27.00 or call 530-569-0254 to reserve your presale tickets for $25.00. Thank you. 😊

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 14th 7pm.
This will be an evening of poetry and music with Mackenzie and McCourt at our new museum facility on Main Street in Cedarville, California. Annie has shared her poetry at the famous and fabulous National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Michael, a gifted guitarist, has been a guest at several local events. Light refreshments will be served. Presale tickets are $25.00 and $27.00 at the door. Net proceeds will benefit our CalVada History Foundation. Please call 530-569-0254 to reserve your ticket!! We look forward to seeing all of you! ❤️