San Benito County Historical Society, Hollister

About San Benito County Historical Society

The San Benito County Historical Society preserves and presents the history of San Benito County through multiple locations in Hollister and the surrounding area. The Wapple House Museum, a 1910 Prairie-style residence, displays rotating exhibits about life in the county along with a permanent pharmacy exhibit featuring ornate woodwork from the original Wapple Pharmacy. The Research Center, located within the museum, holds newspapers, family histories, county records and other archival resources that volunteers use to answer historical inquiries from across the country. The Historical Village comprises historic buildings and artifacts spread across the San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park, where visitors can stroll the grounds and view the San Juan Pacific Model Train Exhibit with detailed scenery and track layouts. The society also rents the Dunneville Dance Hall for events. Dog walking and bird watching are popular activities at the village grounds. The organization was founded in 1956 by citizens committed to preserving San Benito County's heritage.