"Passport To History" - Josephine County Historical Society - Grants Pass, OR

We earned our second and third "Passport To History" stamps by visiting the Schmidt House Museum and Barn which belongs to the Josephine County Historical Society.

The Schmidt house was built in 1901 by grocery store owner Claus Schmidt with locally made bricks and had only four rooms.  He added on to his home as his family grew; a Craftsman-style second story was added as well as several rooms on the main floor.    Anna and Flora Schmidt, Claus' daughters donated the home to the Josephine County Historical Society in 1978.  The Schmidt house is located at 512 SW 5th Street in Grants Pass and is open for tours.

Mr. Schmidt kept his grocery delivery wagon and horse in the barn.  It has been converted to a meeting room and storage space for the Josephine County Historical Society.

This bandstand that is in the backyard of the Schmidt House was just completed and opened on Mother's Day.  It was built by volunteers and donated materials.  The Josephine County Historical Society does not receive any funding from Josephine County or Grants Pass.  It is completely funded by donations and membership dues.

We earned our fourth "Passport To History" stamp by visiting the Josephine County Historical Society's research library, which is right next door to the Schmidt house.

The Josephine County Historical Society's research library is open to the public, there is a $5 per day fee for the use, but members of the Historical Society may use it for free.  They have a wide selection of books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, photographs and much more.  They also have a small bookstore inside the library where you can purchase a wide selection of historical books, publications and maps.

Please visit the Josephine County Historical Society's webpage for much more information about their mission, membership, events and "Passport To History." 

Stop by the Josephine County Historical Society and pick up your own "Passport To History!"  We have been having so much fun learning about the history of Josephine County and seeing some of the beautiful sights in Grants Pass and Josephine County, and we think you will too.  You'll lean something new, whether you're life-long residents of the area or newly transplanted like we are.