Los Altos History Museum

If you missed our webinar, "Women in Tech: Then and Now," or would like to see it again, we've posted the video recording on our website (scroll down to see the video). https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibit/rise-up/ #losaltoshistorymuseum #womenintech #womenintechnology #losaltosathome #losaltos

New year, new do (from home)! On this #OW we present an original vanity set from 1923 gifted to the J. Gilbert Smith House Education Collection. This set was given to a local school teacher as a gift for her wedding in 1923. The set is made from celluloid, a form of plastic developed in the late 19th century. #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistorymuseumcollections #museumsfromhome #losaltosathome #objectwednesday Los Altos History Museum Collection #1997.006.001

This week for #TBT, we take you to the 1970s at the History House! Pictured here is a black and white photograph of the Mordecai family standing by the side of the J. Gilbert Smith House with wisterias in bloom. The Mordecai family were once former tenants of the History House. #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistorymuseumcollections #museumsfromhome #losaltosathome #throwbackthursday Los Altos History Museum Collection #1995.032.018

We're thrilled to receive a $175,000 grant from Santa Clara County to reimagine our permanent exhibition with an emphasis on place, storytelling, and shared experience. The exhibition will utilize the latest in multimedia technology to explore local aspects of racial and ethnic diversity. An oral history kiosk with a working title Our Stories, will feature oral memoirs and short videos of individuals from historically underrepresented groups who helped shape northern Santa ...Clara County. As depicted in this photo of Miss Lamb's 5th grade class taken in 1929 at Los Altos Grammar School, a large population of residents in the area were of Japanese descent. More than a decade after this photo was taken, the signing of Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942 set into motion a forced relocation of people of Japanese ancestry, both American citizens and non-citizens alike. Many families of Los Altos were forced out to internment camps at Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming. The Museum’s new permanent exhibition personalizes these horrific experiences through oral memoirs and photographs of local community members. These stories, among countless others, reinterprets history of the local region by focusing on personal experiences. The new exhibition is slated to open in 2022. To learn more, visit our website at https://bit.ly/3nEV02P. #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltos #santaclaracounty #diversity #diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters County of Santa Clara, California

In spite of the challenges of the past year, here at the Museum we’re reminded that plans continue to move forward, that progress is still being made. On our blog, the Museum's Executive Director, Dr. Elisabeth Ward, shares her reflections of this past year, and her thoughts about the future's potential. https://www.losaltoshistory.org/2021/01/the-dawn-of-2021/ #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltos #covid_19

Today at 5 pm PST, we invite you to join us for this webinar! Register in advance for the Zoom link.

The Museum's "Women in Tech" webinar, scheduled for Jan 14, is listed under fun things to do!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! In celebration of 2020 coming to an end, we are #TBT to #NewYearsEve in 1965! Pictured here is a black and white photograph of some of the contestants in the 5th Annual Los Altos Town Crier's New Year's Eve Midnight Run. It is reported that fifty to sixty spectators showed up despite the freezing record temperatures below 32 degrees! From all of us to all of you, we wish you a safe and happy celebration of the New Year at home. #NYE #goodbye2020 #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistory #losaltoshistorymuseumcollections #museumcollections #losaltosathome Los Altos History Museum Collection #2009.002.650

We get it! We are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021! With this year coming to a close, we remember the moments when our community found resiliency, hope and joy through its history. This #ObjectWednesday, we are switching it up with #ArchiveWednesday - because, why not?! We present to you a photograph of Roy Lave and Jane Reed at the 30th Anniversary of Los Altos in 1982. This photograph reminds us that we are Los Altos Strong. #LosAltosStrong #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistory #losaltoshistorymuseumcollections #museumcollections #losaltosathome Los Altos History Museum Collection #2016.054.027

Here's a puzzle to keep you occupied while sheltering-in-place. Puzzles are an alternative to staring at a screen all day, and give us a sense of order as we fit the pieces together. Check out our new batch of puzzles in the Museum's online gift shop. We have puzzles for kids and adults, in 500 to 1000 pieces. https://www.losaltoshistory.org/support/shop/ #losaltoshistorymuseum #shoplosaltos #shoplocal #losaltos

This is a black and white photograph of the Kendall Dell Resort Picnic Grounds. These private picnic grounds were created by Mr. Edwin F. Kendall and Mrs. Letitia Pearl Snyder Kendall. The resort included baseball grounds, tennis courts, a natural banquet hall with barbecue pits, upper and lower creek terraces, Alder, Laurel, Brier Beach, Walnut and Sycamore flats, with winding paths from one beauty spot to another, leading finally to a natural amphitheater, where over 400 people could be seated in the shade. The grounds had a capacity to hold a total of 3,000 people. The resort was located on Permanente Creek, south of Grant Road and across the railroad tracks. Los Altos History Museum Collection #1993.060.265 #losaltos #losaltoshills #losaltoshistorymuseum

For a stress-free shopping experience, visit the Museum's online store for holiday-themed items and gifts, like kids’ books, family puzzles, journals, ornaments, kitchen goodies and a camera-lens mug! Delivery is FREE within a five-mile radius of the Museum. Our 50% off holiday sale begins today and runs through Dec 31. Shop soon, before items run out! https://losaltoshistory.square.site #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltos #shoplocal #shoplosaltos #losaltoshills #holidaysale #holidaygifts #museumgiftshop

Want to do something nice for health care workers at El Camino? Here's a suggestion! #local

Ever heard of a Museum Without Walls? We’ve expanded our physical space by offering online exhibits like Young at Art, and views of our collections like the Anna Knapp Fitz Collection of artwork. If you want to see more of the Museum from the comforts and safety of your home, we’re asking you to let us know by giving to our Annual Appeal. Please give now, while you’re thinking about it, by going to our website. Choose Annual Appeal. https://www.losaltoshistory.org/suppo...rt/donate/ View "Young at Art" here: https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibit/young-at-art/ View the Anna Knapp Fitz Collection here: https://www.losaltoshistory.org/exhibit/anna-knapp-fitz/ #annualappeal #annualappeal2020 #donationswelcome #donations #donatetoday #donate #nonprofitorganization #nonprofit #museum #losaltos #losaltosmuseum #losaltoshistorymuseum #art #artinlosaltos #losaltoshills #philanthropy #philanthropymatters

If we all do our part to keep safe and stop the spread of COVID-19, we'll be able to return to doing what we love. Let us know what you look forward to in the new year! #losaltoshistorymuseum

The winter season is here! This #TBT, we present a sepia photograph of two boy scouts selling a Christmas wreath in Los Altos, date unknown. The Los Altos Troop 33 sells Christmas wreaths as an annual fundraising activity, which allows the Scouts to work on the Salesmanship Merit Badge and raise funds for Troop activities. #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistory # losaltoshistorymuseumcollection #museumcollections #losaltosathome #throwbackthursday Los Altos History Museum Collection #1993.060.202

Keeping local theater alive!

If you enjoy the historical photos we share from our collection, if they bring back good memories, please let us know by donating to our Annual Appeal. You can make an end-of-year donation in any amount that’s comfortable for you, by going to our website and choosing Annual Appeal. And if your company matches gifts, please let them know about the Museum. We thank you for your support! https://www.losaltoshistory.org/support/donate/ #annualappeal #annualappeal2020 #donationswelcome #donations #donatetoday #donate #nonprofitorganization #nonprofit #museum #losaltos #losaltosmuseum #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshills #philanthropy #philanthropymatters I

Today, we are #BTS with Collections Strategist, Dianne Shen. "One of my favorite things about the holidays is the music! The Los Altos History Museum houses a wonderful collection of scrapbooks, like this one pictured here. This scrapbook covers the holiday season performances of Aaron Sten, the Director of the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra and Dmitri Bashirove, a Russian pianist who made his debut in the Bay Area during the period of 1969 to 1972. #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltoshistory # losaltoshistorymuseumcollection #museumcollections #losaltosathome #objectwednesday #holidayseason Los Altos History Museum Collection #1996.190.004

Friends like you help preserve the Los Altos story for generations. Please consider supporting Los Altos History Museum's Annual Fund so we can continue to tell that story through quality exhibits and programs in a welcoming facility that is a community resource. Your gift goes toward what is most urgent, from maintaining our garden and galleries to paying the website hosting bill. Thank you for your support! https://www.losaltoshistory.org/support/donate/

Peek into the past with this black and white photograph of Main Street in Downtown Los Altos, circa 1970s. Do you remember the movie theatre? Los Altos History Museum Collection # 2001.007.001A #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltos #sundayfunday

Congratulations to Los Altos Kiwanis Club for the success of their Chirstmas tree lot, raising money for their scholarships and grants programs. Seems the club sold out of trees already! Not only does this volunteer organization give back to the community through service projects, they also support the Los Altos History Museum as Corporate members.

We were honored to host a panel discussion last week with four amazing women discussing "Women in Leadership." Their stories were inspiring to hear, and reminds us, as we honor the centennial of the 19th amendment, that lifting women up benefits society as a whole. If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording on our website! https://www.losaltoshistory.org/events/women-in-leadership/ #losaltoshistorymuseum #losaltos #riseuplosaltos #suffragette #womenleaders #womenleadership #wela #womenentrepreneurslaunch #trailblazing #womeninleadership #losaltos #losaltoshills #womenshistory #womenssuffrage #kuabody #womeninbusiness

Remember the Japanese Tea Garden in Shoup Park? Pictured left to right, Betty Furuichi, Jean Furuichi and Yoshiye Furuichi stand on the redwood arch bridge, taken on June 26, 1952 during the dedication ceremonies for this public Japanese Garden on the Peninsula. 200 people were in attendance, with Guest of Honor Kasugi Tukesugi, Assistant Consul-General, representing Japan. The garden, a project of the Los Altos Garden Club, was landscaped by Tom Furuichi. #losaltos #shouppark

We were honored to present Chef Chu and his wife, Ruth, with a painting of their iconic restaurant, in a ceremony held at the Museum on Wednesday, Oct 21. We thanked Chef Chu for thinking of us on the occasion of the restaurant’s 50th anniversary and hosting the February banquet for 100 friends and supporters of the Museum. The painting presented to the Chus was painted by Stephanie Maclean (on the far left) in 2018 for the Museum’s exhibition Paint the Town II. Read more, and see a video clip of the ceremony, on our blog. https://www.losaltoshistory.org/2020/10/thanking-chef-chu/ To see more of Stephanie Maclean's artwork, go to https://www.stephaniemaclean.com

Women picketed for the right to #vote 100 years ago. Learn about this historic moment in time in our exhibition, "Rise Up! The Fight for Women's Suffrage." The exhibit is open today and this weekend from noon - 4pm! Photo Courtesy, Library of Congress. #Riseuplosaltos #womensuffrage #womensuffragecentennial #womensuffragemovement

Boo! It's time to #TBT to 1924 when the Los Altos Grammar School held a Halloween party for students. For one day, gypsies, witches, old men, angels and gnomes roamed the halls. The Los Altos History Museum would like to wish everyone fun and safe celebrations for the upcoming holiday! Los Altos History Museum Collection #1976.005.007 #throwbackthursday #halloween #halloweencostume

Our Exhibition Curator, Dr. Amy Ellison, will speak at this free online event hosted by the Mountain View Historical Association this Sunday. Sign up to hear Amy share information about our exhibit, "Rise Up! The Fight for Women's Suffrage." #riseuplosaltos #Suffrage #suffragette

Halloween is looking a little different this year. If you’re still designing your stay-at-home Halloween costume, this cocktail dress from the 1920s may inspire you. For #ObjectWednesday, we are sharing an original sheer black crepe dress from the 1920s featuring a beaded panel from top to bottom. Let the shimmers take you back to the glitz and glamour of the past. Los Altos History Museum Collection #2010.065.005 #halloween #halloweencostume #1920sfashion

Be sure to register for this event happening Nov 9. #suffrage #suffragists #riseuplosaltos #inspiringwomen

What was the best #Halloween Costume you wore?

In the mood for a parade? This Bond Rally Parade took place in 1942 on Main Street in Los Altos. The photograph highlights a 1929 Ford Model A fire engine driving in front of the Los Altos Pharmacy amidst a crowd of onlookers. #losaltos #history #parades

Our Museum gift shop is open in the lobby from 1 - 3pm, Thurs-Sun. All Fall items are 50% off! Shop in person, or online at https://www.losaltoshistory.org/support/shop/

Our docents are looking forward to safely welcoming visitors to the Los Altos History Museum again! Come see us today! We are open noon to 4pm, Thurs-Sunday.

Los Altos Celebrates Women's Suffrage committee hosts "Alpha Girls: A Conversation with Author Julian Guthrie and SV Female Trailblazers." Nov 9. #suffrage #suffragists #riseuplosaltos #inspiringwomen