Washington Township Museum of Local History

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  • Tri-City Treasures
  • Four boxART! utility boxes in Fremont’s new downtown area chronicle the history in four eras through representative photos and maps, selected from the Museum’s archives. Learn more

    boxART!
  • All planned events after March 17, 2020 have been canceled due to Covid-19.

    To find out what we’ve been up to since March 2020, please see our most recent newsletter

    Newsletter
  • Have you seen our online collection?

    Visit our online collection, made possible through a partnership with Niles Rotary (Fremont).

    Online Collections Database
  • Visit our online collection, made possible through a partnership with the California State Library

    View photographs, audio and video recordings, and bound books (in full) at Archive.org, an online repository for special archives.

    Collections
  • Renew Membership and Donate to our Collections Fund

    We continue to fundraise for our important work of archiving our unique, ever-growing collections! Please consider a donation to our collections/archival fund. Every dollar counts. Follow the link to help support us today!

    Donate

Welcome


The mission of the museum is to preserve Southern Alameda County (Fremont, Newark and Union City) memories, documents, artifacts, and structures from the past and share them with present and future generations.

Our Exhibits

Visit the museum to learn about the history of the Tri-City, from the Mission and Rancho Eras through to pre-incorporation — back when Fremont, Newark and Union City were made up of farms, ranches and dairies, and later, after the cities incorporated, suburban communities. Visitors will discover how the waves of families who moved here lived, worked, and established a thriving small-town community.

Learn more about current exhibits at the Museum.

Learn about our new project: Tri-City Treasures Forgotten

Plan Your Visit

Rancho Higuera Historical Park and its beautifully restored adobe are open for tours and visitors, beginning February 2021. The view of Fremont and its surroundings is spectacular from this particular spot. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the park.

Time: 10 am – 12 noon on the 2nd Saturday of each month, weather permitting. Learn more


At the museum you have the option of a docent-led or a self-guided tour. The museum also provides field trip opportunities for 3rd and 4th grade students studying state and local history.

  • Preparing for Your Class Visit
  • School Fieldtrip Checklist
  • Museum Manners
  • Map of Museum Gallery and Exhibits
  • School Tours of the Museum
  • School Tours at the Higuera Adobe Historical Park

Support Us!

Museum membership entitles you to advance notice of all new exhibits, meetings, cultural activities and special events. You also get free admission to all of our events. Join us today!

Volunteer opportunities are abundant. We are always in need of museum sitters (people who help keep the doors open), tour guides for adults and schoolchildren, archival help, fundraising and membership chairpersons… the list goes on. This is your museum and we want you to know you play an important role. If you have a skill or are willing to learn a new one, we’d love to have you. Call or email us today!

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Fremont History Boxes with the boxART! Program

The City of Fremont boxART! program transforms Fremont’s traffic signal control boxes with compelling and creative imagery. The boxes in Fremont’s new downtown area chronicle the history in four eras through representative photos and maps, selected from the Museum’s archives.

  • Paseo Padre Pkwy. @ Walnut Ave. – Pre-1920
  • Paseo Padre Pkwy. @ Princeton Plaza (Gateway Plaza) – 1920-1956
  • Paseo Padre Pkwy. @ Capitol Ave. – 1980 – 2000
  • Capitol Ave. @ Fremont Blvd – 1980 – 2000

Learn more about the Fremont History Boxes.

News & Announcements

Check out the new Tri-Cities Women of Influence Historical Coloring Book

Tri-Cities has a legacy of active, passionate women who have dedicated their time and energies to improving the lives of others. This thought-provoking booklet is just the beginning of our exploration of “herstories.”

Purchase for $5 at the museum, online or download!

190 Anza Street
Fremont, CA 94539

(510) 623-7907
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