Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks records, 1962-2006

The Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks was formed in 1962 to assist in the preservation of pioneer Jewish cemeteries located in the California Mother Lode. It currently holds title to six pioneer Jewish cemeteries at Jackson, Mokelumne Hill, Sonora, Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Placerville, Calififornia, marking the Gold Rush era beginning of Jewish settlement in northern California. Following tradition, the Jewish pioneers first communal activity was to found burial societies. Their cemeteries are today’s major link to the vanished Jewish communities of that time and place.

The collection consists of administrative records, legal records, correspondence, research and publicity materials, some financial records, and photographs of the commission at work and of the pioneer Jewish cemeteries (the photos date mainly from circa 1970 through 1995).