Researching San Luis Obispo County History
Get Archives Help
Kennedy Library, Cal Poly
Gaps and Silences in Archives and Special Collections
While archives have been viewed as unbiased repositories of the past in its entirety, they are in fact spaces of gaps and silences. These gaps and silences are due to changing opinions of archivists have considered "of enduring value," and can reflect historical, institutional, and internalized racism, classism, sexism, and ignorance of marginalized genders and sexualities. Biases may also impact the archivist's description. Archives are not neutral.
Learn more about how to be a critical user of archives and primary sources.
San Luis Obispo County Cultural Organizations
A growing list of local regional historical and cultural organizations on the Central Coast:
- History Center of San Luis Obispo County
- Rancho Nipomo Dana Adobe, Nipomo
- Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
- Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society
- Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center, Guadalupe
- Cultural & Creative Arts Center of Santa Maria Valley
- Cambria Historical Society
- South County Historical Society (www.southcountyhistory.org and on Facebook)
- Price House and Price Historic Park, Pismo Beach
- San Luis Obispo Library Local History Room
Have an organization to add to the list? Please let us know!
Broaden your search - Calisphere
Calisphere: Expand your search for digitized materials from hundreds of cultural organizations across California. Many California archives include records relating to the Central Coast. Try keyword searches such as "San Luis Obispo" to get started, or use specific keywords on your topic.
