To find out what we’ve been up to, please see our most recent newsletter and check out our Facebook page.
Questions? Call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org
Save the Date
Book signing by author, Tim Swenson for his new book: Tom Kitayama: A Life of Flowers and Politics
Saturday, November 14th, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Books will be for sale for $10/copy
190 Anza Street (our museum)
Museum will be open 10am – 4pm/
Walking Tours
Tours have concluded for 2026. Thank you for joining us!
Look for the 2027 schedule in March.
Have questions about historic walking tours? Want to see us conduct a tour of a town, area, or garden? Call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org.
Washington Township Museum of Local History (and Archives)
The Museum and California native garden is open weekly on Wednesdays & Fridays, and monthly on the 2nd Saturday & Sunday, as well as the 4th Sunday. All hours are 10 am – 4 pm.
Suggested donation: $2 per visitor / $5 per family.
Museum members and children 5 and under are always FREE.
We are located at 190 Anza Street in the Mission San Jose district of Fremont.
Questions? Want to book a private tour or see the museum when we are not scheduled to be open? Let’s talk! Call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org. Thank you!
- September 2026
Open on Wednesdays from 10 am – 4 pm: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Open on Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm: September 4, 11, 18, 25
Open on Saturday 10 am – 4 pm: September 12
Open on Sundays 10am – 4pm: September 13, 27 - October 2026
Open on Wednesdays from 10 am – 4 pm: October 7, 14, 21, 28
Open on Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm: October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Open on Saturday 10 am – 4 pm: October 10
Open on Sundays 10am – 4pm: October 11 & 25 - November 2026
Open on Wednesdays from 10 am – 4 pm: November 4, 11, 18, 25
Open on Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm: November 6, 13, 20, 27
Open on Saturday 10 am – 4 pm: November 14
Open on Sundays 10am – 4pm: November 8, 22 - December 2026
Open on Wednesdays from 10 am – 4 pm: December 2, 9
Open on Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm: December 4, 11, 18
Open on Saturday 10 am – 4 pm: December 12
Open on Sundays 10am – 4pm: December 13
The museum is closed December 19th through January 5th. Our first open day in 2027: WED Jan 6th.
Happy Holidays!
Rancho Higuera Historical Park
Visit Rancho Higuera Historical Park and its beautifully restored adobe!
The view of Fremont and its surroundings is spectacular from this particular spot. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the park.
Open Dates & Times: 10 am – 12 noon once per month April through September, weather permitting.
Open House at the Rancho 2026 Dates
Standard Operating Hours: The Rancho is closed to the public for the remainder of 2026. We will see you in the spring / summer of 2027! (more info at bottom)
Guests are invited to visit the Galindo-Higuera adobe, located on the Rancho del Agua Caliente. This rancho was awarded to Fulgencio Higuera in 1839 by then Governor Juan B. Alvarado. At the time, this land consisted of 9,563 acres or 15 square miles, and it supported 11,000 head of cattle and several hundred horses.
Our guests can still enjoy the verdant green hills and can imagine what it looked like with no fences, and with rancho cattle dotting the hillsides.
140 years later, in 1979, the adobe was falling down. Historians, architects, preservationists, and archaeologists agreed that the adobe was significant and worth saving; and thus, the restoration began. A total of 7,500 bricks had to be made to replace those that were missing.
Inside the building now are displays that describe the hide and tallow trade, a video that shows how the land was used from the Ohlone period to the restoration, as well as a display of Ohlone artifacts.
This adobe and its current 20 acres represent an important chapter in Spanish-Mexican history in California, and we at the Washington Township Museum of Local History are happy to share this gem with you.
Special activities for children (and adults): brick making, branding with paint, design-a-brand, corn husk and/or clothespin dollmaking, candle dipping, play horseshoes.
Suggested donation: $2 per visitor / $5 per family
Museum members and children 5 and under are always FREE
The park is located at 47300 Rancho Higuera Rd. in Fremont.
Please park at street level and walk up. Handicapped parking is available.
Visit this culturally significant site, with a history extending back to Fulgencio Higuera a descendent of Jose Higuera who came to California from Spain on the de Anza expedition (1775-1776). The original adobe home was constructed in 1840.
Standard Operating Hours
When repairs are complete / Standard Operating Hours:
Rancho Higuera Historical Park is closed to the public from October through March. The property is open to the public once per month from April through September. Book your classroom tour here: https://museumoflocalhistory.org/contact/school-tours-at-the-higuera-adobe-historical-park/.
Always check our calendar (above) for the most up-to-date information.
Questions? Want to book a private tour or see the grounds when we are not scheduled to be open? Let’s talk! Call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org. Thank you!
