Explore local history from the settlement of Washington Township through the development of our cities – Fremont, Newark and Union City. Our in-house tours include highlights of the Museum’s long-term exhibits.
We also offer customized tours for groups. Your senior center, walking club or other social organization or group may be interested in a talk or slideshow. An addition to this could be a visit to the Museum of Local History or Rancho Higuera Historical Park. Perhaps you are interested in a walking tour of one of the original towns in the Tri-City Area. Contact the museum for details…
Walking, Biking & Hiking 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 currently offer the following tours:
(click to download and/or print)
- Alvarado Walking Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- BoxART! Downtown History Walk (Patricia Schaffarczyk)
- Decoto Bicycle Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Dry Creek Cottage and Garden Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Irvington Walking Tour (Caroline Harris)
- Mission San Jose Walking Tour (Kelsey Camello)
- Mission San Jose Urban History Hike (Patricia Schaffarczyk)
- Niles Walking Tour (David Kiehn – with Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum)
- Irvington – Fremont Urban Hike (Caroline Harris and Patricia Schaffarczyk)
- Cemetery Tours
- Irvington Memorial Cemetery Tour (various)
- Centerville Walking Tour (Timothy Swenson)
- Newark Walking Tour (Alan Nagy)
For the most up-to-date schedule of tours please see the calendar page.
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.
Want a printed copy of a tour mailed to you? Contact us to make arrangements.
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”.
