We maintain the Research Annex which houses a library of over 5,000 books related to Southern Sierra History as well as documents, photographs and maps of the area.
It serves as a research facility for researchers as well as genealogists, hobbyists, and the public.
The Historical Society has an extensive collection of artifacts, documents, Western art, and books bequeathed to us by local activists Ardis and Gayle Walker.
Walker was from a Kern Valley pioneer family. He was also a county supervisor, conservationist, poet and community activist. He kept everything, and within his collection, are important historical documents covering several generations.
The annex houses the Walker collection and many other documents owned by the Historical Society.
In addition, we have collections from Bob Powers, Bill Jenkins, and the Creighton/Hand family among others.
We’re in the process of archiving and digitally archiving all of the documents, organizing the books, and displaying the Native American artifacts, Western art and other artifacts.
Publications
The KRVHS is also in the publishing business.
We aim to preserve our local history and teach about the area’s role in California’s settlement and the economic impact our gold-era mines, hydroelectric plants, and tourism had on California’s development.
The KRVHS has made significant strides in publishing new and existing materials. These include:
- A manuscript by local mule packer Ken Wortley, Adventures of a Packer and Guide, published in 2022.
- The Building of Isabella Dam: Taming the Mighty Kern, published in 2023.
- In 2025 the KRVHS released Faith, Family, and Forestry: The Story of Bob Powers – Cattleman and Accidental Historian. This biography of local legend Bob Powers chronicles his life as a fifth-generation Kern Valley resident from childhood through his death in 2002.
- In early 2026, former curator Dianna Anderson published her book, Hollywood Discovers the Kern River Valley, which tells the story of the many movies filmed there.
- Since fall 2025, the newly formed Research Council has published River Chronicles, a quarterly journal dedicated to sharing the history of the Kern River Valley.
Upcoming books include:
- The republication of Adventures with the Misfits by Ken Wortley, scheduled for August 2026.
- A coffee-table book about the moved houses of Old Kernville, scheduled for March 2027.
Other projects include a book on the natural history of the Kern River Valley, and a study of accounting ledgers and other records held in the Annex. Look for these publications in late 2027 and early 2028.
All KRVHS publications are available in our Gift Shop and online. Selected publications are also available in these fine stores: