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Pioneer Yosemite History Center, Yosemite National Park

4.4

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National Park · Hidden Gem · Historic Site

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The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is an assembled collection of historic buildings from Yosemite National Park that is located in Wawona, California. Visitors can walk around the buildings year round, and the interiors are open in the summer on a limited basis. There are also special programs and carriage rides in the summer.
The buildings include:

Acting Superintendent's Headquarters

Blacksmith shop

Cavalry office

Chris Jorgenson Studio

Degnan's Bakery

George Anderson Pioneer Home

Hodgdon Homestead Cabin

Powderhouse and jail

Ranger patrol cabin

Wawona Covered Bridge

Yosemite Transportation Company Office (aka Wells Fargo Office)The Acting Superintendent's Headquarters, the Chris Jorgenson Studio, the Hodgdon Homestead Cabin, the Wawona Covered Bridge, and the Yosemite Transportation Company Office are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

See Pioneer Yosemite History Center and all Yosemite National Park has to offer by arranging your trip with our Yosemite National Park online day trip planner.
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Tours to Pioneer Yosemite History Center

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Duration: 8 hours

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Pioneer Yosemite History Center reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

133 reviews

Google

4.7

By PacificNWFamily

I have visited the History Center in Wawona many times. This time I spent most of my visit in the new Chinese Laundry Building that is across from the gray barn. It was fascinating to learn about...

I have visited the History Center in Wawona many times. This time I spent most of my visit in the new Chinese Laundry Building that is across from the gray barn. It was fascinating to learn about... more »
By Kathrin S

Such nice people and so much history. What a pleasant surprise! We stopped in before going to the market and were welcomed by a couple of the staff (volunteers?) who chatted with us, shared info and..... more

Such nice people and so much history. What a pleasant surprise! We stopped in before going to the market and were welcomed by a couple of the staff (volunteers?) who chatted with us, shared info and..... more »
By Adam S

If you come in the south entrance to the Park make sure to save some time to visit this History Center. Lots of original buildings have been preserved and re-located and you can walk around the site..... more

If you come in the south entrance to the Park make sure to save some time to visit this History Center. Lots of original buildings have been preserved and re-located and you can walk around the site..... more »

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Google

By Son Robbins

I could not emphasize more in words how important the history is. Thank you to all the effort to preserver all these things belong to history. A very rich history to understand and appreciate all the pioneers to explore this land. If you love history, if you love knowledge and want to know what it is all about, this must be a stop for you to visit and explore. Thank you to all volunteers to continue the job what they are doing

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By Gary Standke

Buildings open 10 to 5 with lots of free parking which is always open. Nice store in the parking area. Amazing covered bridge leads you to a collection of log cabins. One is a blacksmith shop. The smiths have a number of items for sale and will custom make items on request. There are a collection of wagons and a stable with horses and mules.

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By Christina Wong

Fun place for the kids to explore with little signs at every building explaining the significance of every structure. You can look thru the windows and see all the furniture as well.

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By Fredrick Jose antony cruz

It’s kind of cool place.. if you limited time, I would rather spend on the valley… if you have time it’s worth a visit… the covered bridge and jail was cool.. other cottages were closed for winter.. was told it will open in summer with people enacting old times..

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By BradJill

The Pioneer Yosemite History Centre (free entry) is located in Wawona. This is an outdoor museum featuring a collection of historic pioneer buildings, structures, wagons and agricultural equipment, providing visitors a glimpse into the daily lives and dealings of the late 19th century. The area includes a handful of cabins, studio, jail and office buildings constructed of wooden logs as well as the historic Wawona Covered Bridge. Most of the buildings were situated in various locations around Yosemite but relocated to provide an educational experience for visitors to Yosemite NP. We enjoyed spending 20 minutes or so browsing around the Pioneer Yosemite History Centre and would gladly revisit during future trips to the national park. Note: There are two small bathroom units outside the Pioneer Yosemite History Center next to the carpark area.

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