Remembering the Valley of Heart’s Delight
Remember picking up prunes or cutting ‘cots? A special event will take place Sunday, August 8 at 2pm at the Saratoga Community Library when three Saratoga pioneers—Vince Garrod, Willys Peck and Dave Pitman—gather to discuss memories of yesteryear. A film, The Valley of Heart’s Delight, covering this special time period will also be shown. The event is sponsored by the Saratoga Historical Foundation and Museum and is free to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Pioneer Vince Garrod’s family has lived on the same land for over 100 years. He recalls the days when local prune orchards supplied one-third of the world’s prunes. Dave Pitman, whose family also owned a prune orchard remembers when schools would wait to open until after the harvest. All ages would work harvesting fruit in order to earn money for school. Saratoga Town Historian Willys Peck recalls Saratoga as a town that delighted in the theatre and the arts—spawning such favorites as Olivia deHavilland and Joan Fontaine.

Join us for an entertaining afternoon of Remembering the Valley of Heart’s Delight. Don’t miss the live, cameo appearance of Sunshine Williams, who fathered the Blossom Festival in Saratoga. The film, Valley of Heart’s Delight was originally prepared in the 1920’s by the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. The film includes early images of Highway 101, glimpses of life in Palo Alto, Mountain View and Saratoga’s Blossom Festival. The Saratoga Community Library is located at 13650 Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga. For more information, call the Saratoga Historical Foundation at 408-867-4311.

Give a Gift of Saratoga—Only at the Museum Gift Shop
If you are looking for a special gift for any occasion, stop by the Saratoga History Museum. Two new additions include cards and water color prints.

Felicia Pollock, long time Saratoga resident and SHF member, has a wonderful collection of Saratoga-oriented cards on sale. Pollock’s photography features Saratoga sights and are truly unique for those interested in artwork featuring this picturesque community.

Well-known local artist Kay Duffy has donated lovely matted prints of many Saratoga sights that are also on sale. These prints—many are of the orchards in bloom -- are just waiting to be framed and hung on someone’s wall.

The Museum also has nicely screened Saratoga themed t-shirts; polo shirts; bookmarks; postcards; landmark jewelry; and books.

The Saratoga History Museum and gift shop is located at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga and is open from 1 to 4 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The gift shop accepts cash or check only.

Museum Position Available
If you are interested in working in one of the most historic places on the Peninsula--here's your chance. The Saratoga Historical Foundation has an opening for a Museum Director for the Saratoga History Museum and historic McWilliams House. Please click on the job description to find out more.

The Santa Clara County Fire Department has interesting information and pictures about the history of the Saratoga fire station here.