Dear Friends of History San José, It’s November, time for pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce (out of a can), and turkey! Being three thousand miles from my family at this time of year makes me appreciate my History San José family even more. Let me take this moment and thank all of the wonderful volunteers that keep History San José going. To Tony and Derrick thanks for keeping the lawns mowed and the bricks in place. To Craig and Barry for keeping the windows in place and the shingles on the roof. To Janna and Steve for keeping the gardens tended and the flowers blooming. During this crazy time, thanks for pitching in and making History San José come alive. Thank you!    This is also the time of year where History San José usually hosts a commemoration of the founding of San José at the Gonzales/Peralta Adobe downtown. Due to COVID-19 we have had to rethink our plans. Instead of our regular event, we have decided to create a series of media posts. On November 27 as part of Native American Heritage Day, we will honor indigenous heritage and culture and on November 29 we will commemorate San José's founding, highlighting Californio culture and heritage.  Be well and be safe, Bill Schroh, Jr. President & CEO History San José

Tour the Gonzalez/Peralta Adobe and Fallon House

Even though History Park is closed, History San José is still offering tours! The Gonzales/Peralta Adobe and the Carmel & Thomas Fallon House are reopened for private tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 am. Purchase your tickets today!

Purchase Tickets

Ready for the Holidays!

2020 Holiday Ornament - Trolley Car 124

History San José is pleased to offer this limited edition brass replica of historic Trolley Car 124. It was built by the American Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri in 1912 and is operated today by the California Trolley & Railroad Corporation at History Park. Enjoy the brass ornament on your holiday tree, or as a decoration around your house.

Shop

Christmas in the Park - A Drive-Thru Holiday!

Here is a sneak peak of Christmas in the Park - A Drive-Thru Holiday from the Facilities Department. We are very excited to see the progress that is rapidly occurring in the park! This seasonal event will take place from November 27 to January 3, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets are available on Christmas in the Park's website.

Visit

In the Holiday Spirit!

History San José thanks Janna Standridge and the Christmas Elves for all of their hard work getting History Park ready for the holidays. While they had to start a little early this year, it was worth seeing them in their Halloween attire decorating Christmas trees. The Elves have outdone themselves getting History Park ready for our new Christmas in the Park - Drive-Thru Holiday event!

Visit

Sat, December 5, 2020 | 1:00 PM Virtual Heritage Holiday Tea

Online Event $30 for Everyone This year's Virtual Holiday Heritage Tea will include a delicious International Afternoon Tea package from The Shop by Chef Baca. Pick-up your meal at History Park on the morning of December 5th. Join Bill Schroh, Jr, President & CEO of History San José on Zoom at 1:00 pm to learn the origin of afternoon tea and receive a lesson on the proper use of a tea service.

Purchase Tickets

Zoom into the Past!

Fri, November 13, 2020 | 12:30 PM Portraits of the Past: 100 Years Ago

Online Event $7 General | Free for Members History San José's Portraits of the Past will showcase entertaining historical vignettes that tell true stories of Silicon Valley from 100 years ago and feature multiple History Park sites. Come and engage with these fun stories and ask your burning questions to fashion experts Nancy Peters and Julie Pifer. Proceeds from this online event will benefit History San José's educational programs.

Purchase Tickets

History Park News

Our back parking lot has been repaved! The contractor crew worked very hard on this project for us. Roger Lundgren, Jr., HSJ's Facilities Manager, wants to personally thank everyone who helped move items from the back lot! He also wants to thank History San José staff, volunteers, and affiliates for their patience during this time! Finally, a big thank you goes to the City of San José for providing the capital funds needed to repave our parking lot. History San José thanks the Rotary Club of San Jose Foundation and former Rotary President Karyn Sinunu-Towery for helping replace O'Brien's Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor floor. Though slated for completion last spring, it took us until October due to circumstances beyond our control. O'Brien's Candy Shop & Ice Cream Parlor will look brand new when we reopen in the spring!

Collection Center News

(Collection Center before & after photos by Dan Charm)

The Collection Center staff (Katrina Anderson, Dan Charm, Ken Middlebrook & Cate Mills) has just completed a multi-month collections move—including a deaccessioning process and inventory of artifacts—out of the D4 warehouse building behind our Collection Center, into our internal storage area. Funded primarily by the City of San José, this massive project included installation of new storage racks and shelving in our storage area, allowing HSJ to increase storage space and improve quality of storage for our historic artifacts. The D4 warehouse is scheduled to be retrofitted as part of the construction of the city's new fire training complex. Deaccessioned artifacts are being stored at a city warehouse in preparation for a future auction.

In the Community

Holiday Glass and Ornament Sale @ BAGI. Nov. 20th - Dec. 20th Local Glass Artist hand blown glasswares are on display and for sale. Find your seasonal decorations and one of a kind gifts. We have Social Distancing Procedures in place and reservations available. https://www.bagi.org/

Become a Member! Preserve San José's Heritage Today! JOIN

History San José | 408.287.2290 | www.historysanjose.org

Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌