Explore local history from the settlement of Washington Township through the development of our cities, Fremont, Newark and Union City. The tours include highlights of the Museum of Local History long- term exhibits.
We offer customized tours for groups. Maybe your senior center, walking club or other social organization or group is interested in a short talk or slide show. An addition could be a visit to the Museum of Local History or The Rancho Higuera Historical Park, or perhaps a walking tour of one of the original towns in the Tri-City Area. Contact the Museum Tour Coordinator for more details.
Walking & Driving Tours
We offer walking tours of the downtown areas of the original eight towns of Washington Township. Keep an eye on our calendar, newsletter, Facebook and the Tri-City Voice to find out when the next tour will be offered. We typically have a walking tour once per month during the spring and summer months.
We presently offering and/or developing the following tours:
- Alvarado Walking Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Decoto Bicycle Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Dry Creek Cottage and Garden Tour
- Irvington Walking Tour (Caroline Harris)
- Mission San Jose Walking Tour (Kelsey Camello)
- Niles Walking Tour (David Kiehn – with Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum)
- Irvington – Fremont Urban Hike (Caroline Harris and Patricia Schaffarczyk)
- Cemetery Tour(s)
- Centerville Walking Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Newark Walking Tour (Alan Nagy)
Would you be interested in leading or aiding the museum with these tours? If so, or for more information please contact the museum at walkingtours@museumoflocalhistory.org, or call the museum at (510) 623-7907.
Museum of Local History Tours


- Docent Led Group Tour of the Museum
- Docent Led Group Tour of the Museum for Students and Youth
- Self-Guided Tour of the Museum
Learn more about Museum of Local History Tours.
Rancho Higuera Historical Park Tours
Sitting in the Rancho Higuera Historical Park is an old adobe building, one of the last remaining buildings in Washington Township from the Spanish-Mexican era of California (1776 – 1848).
Learn more about Rancho Higuera Historical Park Tours.
Become a Passport to Adventure Historian
We are one of nine local history organizations that came together to create the Passport to Adventure Program. To begin visit any one of the nine sites to pick up your passport postcard and have it punched at each location. After you have visited all nine historic sites you will receive a personalized certificate of completion and will become a “Passport to Adventure Historian”.