​The Gillespie County Historical Society (GCHS) was formed in 1935 to preserve and share the history of Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country.


The first Pioneer Museum site was the Vereins Kirche, which is located in the 100 block of West Main Street. The Vereins Kirche is a 1935 replica of the original structure and is an extension of the Pioneer Museum.


In 1955, the Society bought the historic Kammlah house, store, and property, which included a smokehouse and barn. All are at the Pioneer Museum Complex site.


With other purchases and donations by the Society, the Pioneer Museum site has grown to encompass three acres and 11 buildings, nine buildings of which are historic structures included on a tour of the Pioneer Museum grounds. The Society has over 300,000 artifacts within its rich and diverse collection
​