The Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is a self-supporting organization. The City of Healdsburg owns the building and contributes to its upkeep. The Historical Society operates, funds and manages all Museum operations, including the Staff salaries. The biggest way the Society gets funds is through their fundraisers. There are several throughout the year, many of them long-standing events

History Lives Pioneer Award Dinner
The Pioneer Award Dinner has completed its seventh year. Conceived as both a fundraiser and a living history tribute to local entrepreneurs, the dinner has become a very popular affair. The idea behind “History Lives” is to honor a long time contributor to Healdsburg and northern Sonoma County, both in their respective fields and to the community.

Past honorees were:

• Joe Vercelli (1999)

• Louis J. Foppiano, Sr. (2000)

• Francis M. Passalacqua (2001)

• Robert A.Young (2002)

• Milt Brandt (2003)

• Eugene Cuneo (2004)

• Rose Ferrari Demostene Benson (2005)

• John and James Pedroncelli (2006)

• Clarence Ruonavaara (2007)

The dinner is held in early spring.

Antique Fair, Formerly The Barn Sale
This rummage sale fund raiser began in 1994 in a barn on West Dry Creek Road. It was lots of fun, but out of the way and, in 1997 moved into town to the Classic Antiques auction house at 226 Healdsburg Avenue. The barn sale, selling donated material, normally netted between $8,000 and $12,000. In 2005, with the economy in a downturn, the sale netted just $6,000 and the board of directors decided to defer the sale for a year or two.

In 2007, the organizer of the Antique Fairs on the Plaza offered a spot to HM&HS for the three annual fairs which take place in May, July and September. While the Antique Fair is a smaller sale than the Barn Sale, it also does not require the significant amount of preparation time needed for a three day rummage sale. Donations of antiques and quality merchandise are welcome from anyone. Small items may be delivered to the Museum; call the Museum at 431-3325 or Bob Rawlins at 431-1109 to arrange pickup of larger items.

Instant Wine Cellar
The Instant Wine Cellar is also a mainstay. A hundred plus bottles of wine are collected from generous wineries around the area. Tickets are sold, both individual and in booklets. The lucky winner, chosen in a random drawing, wins an "instant wine cellar".