The Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society

The Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society (CCHGS), located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, represents the combined efforts of two long-standing organizations dedicated to preserving the county’s rich heritage. The Columbia County Historical Society, founded in 1914, focused on collecting and safeguarding local artifacts, documents, and stories that shaped the region. In 1976, the Central Susquehanna Valley Genealogical Society was established to support genealogical research throughout the area. Recognizing their shared goals and complementary missions, the two organizations merged on April 10, 1999, to form what is now known as the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society.

Since the merger, CCHGS has grown into a vital community resource committed to the collection, preservation, interpretation, and publication of Columbia County’s history. Entirely volunteer-run, the Society operates as a charitable and educational nonprofit. Its headquarters at 50 W. Main Street in Bloomsburg houses a public research library, archives, and museum collections. The Society offers a wide array of materials including church and cemetery records, manuscript collections, family histories, local newspapers, photographs, maps, and more, many of which are indexed and available for reference through its online databases.

CCHGS is actively involved in community outreach through rotating museum exhibits, public lectures, First Fridays, and research needs. It has published several local history titles and produces a triannual newsletter for members. The Society also maintains an online searchable indexes like the “People, Places & Events,” and “Photographs Collection” databases containing over 40,000 entries related to Columbia County. CCHGS purchased PastPerfect software in 2025 and is transitioning its collection to be more visible to the public, including allowing online browsing of its museum and photograph collections, and easier reference of its library and archival records. While it is not yet usable for the public, CCHGS hopes to officially implement the change in the upcoming months. Operations are supported through memberships, research and service fees, book sales, fundraising events, donations, grants, and investment income. The Columbia County Commissioners have officially recognized CCHGS as the historical society of Columbia County.

With a mission grounded in making history accessible and meaningful, the Society continues to be a hub for both academic researchers and local residents seeking to explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Columbia County over time.