| The Historical Society found it's beginning in 1948 when a group of Josephine County citizens organized to mark where the Applegate Trail passed through the county. Interest in establishing a Josephine County Historical Society was renewed in 1959, Oregon's Centennial year. Then on August 15, 1960 in the historic Masonic Hall in Kerby the first annual meeting was held. In May of that same year the Society incorporated as a non profit organization. |
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In 1978, the Historical Society gratefully accepted the generous gift of the Schmidt House from Anna and Flora Schmidt. The property was deeded to the Society and the Schmidt sisters continued to reside on the property for as long as they were able to do so. The two women also provided a substantial sum of money for upkeep of the building and grounds. Col. LeRoy Heston left his estate, a collection of Oriental art and a sum of money to the Society in 1982. . |
| The Josephine County Historical Society found it's home in the Schmidt House on the corner of 5th & J Streets in Grants Pass Oregon in 1983. Col. LeRoy Heston's endowment and that of the Schmidt sisters provides in part, for the Schmidt House and Research Library | 
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