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
Walking Tour Schedule 2024
- May: Irvington Walking Tour – Saturday, May 18, 10 am
- June: Decoto Bike Tour – Saturday, June 15, 10 am
- July: Niles Town Walking Tour – Saturday, July 13, 10 am
- August: Centerville Walking Tour – Saturday, August 17, 10 am
- September: Mission San Jose Town Walk or Urban Hike – Saturday, September 21, 10 am
- October: Alvarado Walking Tour – Saturday, October 19, 10 am
Have questions about historic walking tours? 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!
April is Arts, Culture & Creativity Month
Arts, Culture & Creativity Month is a month-long, statewide effort organized by California for the Arts.
This annual month-long spotlight on the arts, culture, and creativity raises visibility and awareness about the role of artists and culture keepers in building and maintaining a rich cultural environment celebrating diversity.
Fremont’s ACCM efforts are led by Fremont Creates, culminating in a Grand Finale event at the Downtown Event Center on Saturday, April 27, 11 am – 3 pm. Admission is free and the event will feature multiple performances, exhibits, food trucks, a Makerspace with activities for kids, and information about local organizations.
Come find the Museum team leading an activity in the Makerspace area!
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 on the 2nd Saturday of each month (April through September ONLY), weather permitting.
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.
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.
Rancho Open For the Season!
- SATURDAY – 4/13/24 – 4th-grade day at the rancho – 10am – 1pm
- SATURDAY – 5/11/24 – 4th-grade day at the rancho – 10am – 1pm
Attention all 4th-grade students & families! Rancho del Agua Caliente will be open to all 4th-grade families for $5 donation per family on 4/13/24 & 5/11/24. The rancho once belonged to Fulgencio Higuera during the rancho period of California’s history. It is now owned by the City of Fremont.
Come see an adobe building built in 1840 and learn about the hide and tallow trade. Dip candles, design a brand, form an adobe brick, make a corn husk doll, and brand a cow using paint, felt and authentic brands. You can even try your hand at roping the steer!
This event is great for students either exiting or entering 4th-grade, plus their families! Come one, come all. Bring a picnic lunch.
The tour days are hosted by Washington Township Museum of Local History. Need more information? Call Dianne at (510) 673-4813 or email info@museumoflocalhistory.org.
4th-Grade Tours at Rancho
Rancho del Agua Caliente
47300 Rancho Higuera Rd., Fremont