Past Virtual Programs
Highway 21 to Interstate 680 - June 18, 2020
Steve Minniear, local historian and author presented photos and maps about the road in the museum's first virtual event.
Whether it is called San Ramon Valley Road, Danville Blvd., North Main Street or even Contra Costa Blvd., it was for a long time Highway 21. And between the 1930s and the 1960s, it was the only way to go north and south through the San Ramon and Amador Valleys. Steve talks about the “only road through town” and how it shaped farm life, regional business and eventually the suburbs.
Women Win the Vote in California & the Country - August 20, 2020
Beverly Lane, Museum Curator and Board Vice President, presented a program that featured a video of the current Women Win the Vote exhibit at the Museum filmed by Tory Taylor and a PowerPoint presentation on the history of woman suffrage
California's First People: Then and Now - September 24, 2020
Correction - The Seunen tribe lived in present day San Ramon. The Saclan tribe lived in the Lafayette area.
Alamo Cemetery Tour & Program - October 22, 2020
Jana Haertl, museum volunteer, took participants on a virtual tour of the Alamo Cemetery.
Established in the 1850's the cemetery is the final resting place to the many early families who established and built this valley. Jana shared stories of the history of the Alamo Cemetery and families such as Humburg, Baldwin, Stone, Wood and Bollinger to mention just a few.
This little jewel is tucked away at the bend of El Portal just off Danville Blvd on the border of Alamo and Danville. You may have passed it on your way to Hap Magee Park without giving it a second thought. It’s actually a peaceful resting place to stroll through and admire the headstones of many pioneer families in a park-like atmosphere.
Adolph Sutro Program - November 19, 2020
Diana Kohnke of the Sutro Library gave a presentation on Adolph Sutro and the Library he left to the city of San Francisco. Her presentation discussed how this German immigrant made a fortune in the Comstock Lode. He became one of the largest landowners in San Francisco was elected mayor of San Francisco, planted his own forest, and, started a library to name a few of his accomplishments. To say this man led a full and interesting life would be an understatement.
Niles Canyon Railway - December 17, 2020
Henry Baum, President of Niles Canyon Railway, covered a variety of topics about the railroad and the role it has played in the development of our community.
Henry shared the amazing railroad history of our valley. He also talked about the lost town of Radum and how the Iron Horse Trail was involved with the Transcontinental Railroad to name just a few of the interesting topics covered.
