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 Ho, Ho, Ho-- New Exhibit at the Museum
A new special exhibit, "Enjoy the Merry Traditions of Christmas" runs from November 11 through the end of January at the Saratoga History Museum. Enjoy the magic of Christmas as the exhibit explores the origins of some of today’s Christmas traditions from Christmas trees, sending cards, music and gift giving. Charming turn of the century dolls, toys, ornaments, and Santa Clauses are some of the many items that will be on display. Bring the family and enjoy this special holiday exhibit. The gift shop will feature special holiday gifts, too. Discover local history and visit the Saratoga History Museum. The Saratoga History Museum (20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road) is open from 1 PM to 4 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Free parking.
 Celebrating a Century of Good Work— IOOF Retirement Community –A Special Exhibit
The Saratoga Retirement Community will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012! It was built by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs (IOOF). IOOF is one of the oldest fraternal orders in the world and one of the first to include women. Celebrating a Century of Good Work, a special exhibit will run February 3 – May 27 and will trace the growth of the retirement community as well as the contributions of the IOOF. The Saratoga History Museum is open from 1-4 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday
 What’s New At the Museum?
Many of the current popular puzzles and types in use today originated in China—the tangram puzzle is one of the best known. Come and be challenged by this special interactive exhibit featuring puzzles along with the IOOF special exhibit at the Saratoga History Museum and opening on Feb. 3!!
 Free Lecture March 19 – Shaped by Water
A free lecture on the impact of water, “Shaped by Water” will be give on March 19 at 7:00 PM at the Immanuel Lutheran reception hall by Jan Masters and Valerie Richardson. "Shaped by Water" will highlight the many ways in which human uses of water have affected Santa Clara Valley and how the presence and absence of water has shaped the (human) development of Santa Clara Valley from the time of the Native Americans, through the arrival of the Spanish in the Mission era, then the beginning of the American period with the Gold Rush and the first influx of large numbers of new residents, through the "Valley of Heart's Delight era and into the present. Some considerations for the future will also be touched upon.
Jan Masters and Valerie Richardson are experienced speakers. Masters is a long time resident of the Los Altos area, writer and teacher. Richardson is a long time resident of the Saratoga area and has studied early California history for many years.
 Two Board of Director’s Position Open
Two board of director’s positions are open for the Saratoga Historical Foundation: Fund Development Director and Program Director. SHF is looking for a seasoned Fund Development Director to plan and coordinate annual and special fund raising events. The new director will work closely with other directors on the board including the Social Events, Marketing, and others. The Program Director position includes researching and providing qualified speakers for the January, March, and May membership programs as well as special events. Board of director positions are for four years. If interested, please contact President Annette Stransky HERE.
 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.
 Community Service
Saratoga High School students looking to fulfill community service requirements can contact Linda Hagelin at the Saratoga History Museum. Please e-mail HERE with the date you can work. The museum is open Friday-Saturday and Sunday from 1-4PM.
 Some Free Things To Do!
Get in touch with local history by: 1) taking our historic landmark walking tour 2) bicycling the historic house tour 3) walking around our historic garden with a self-guided tour.
Get out your camera and your walking shoes! The Saratoga Historical Foundation offers docent-led walking tours or you can download the tour and take a self-guided one. The docent-led tours last about 60 minutes with lots of easy walking. Meet your fellow “time travellers” and get some exercise at the same time. Make an appointment today by calling 408-867-4311 and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the history of your community.
Forget about driving and bicycle our historic house tour. See over 30 heritage homes on this self-guided bicycle tour.
Want just a little exercise? Walk the historic garden in the Saratoga Historical Park—a copy of the self-guided tour is available outside near the Museum door or by downloading. The plants look different with each season so there is reason to return again and again. Find out how Native American children used ferns.
The walking tour, historic house bicycle tour, and the garden tour maps can be downloaded from this site.
 The Santa Clara County Fire Department has interesting information and pictures about the history of the Saratoga fire station here. |
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| The Saratoga Historical Foundation Museum located at Saratoga Historical Park: 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA |
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 Speaker Available
If you are in need of a speaker on history and local Saratoga history—contact Saratoga Historical Foundation Historian Ray Cosyn. Cosyn has developed the following presentations—most 30-40 minutes in length with quality slides using historic images:
- Saratoga: A Lumber Town, traces the history of Saratoga from the Ohlone’s to the present historic village. The excitement of the once rollicking lumber town to the battle for incorporation is of interest to every Saratogan.
- The Interurban Railway, yearn for the days of a trip by rail to San Jose or Palo Alto on the sleek Interurban Railway? The mass transit train, carrying packages and people, once quietly traveled the Santa Clara Valley.
- Prohibition—sit back and enjoy hearing about the driest town in the valley – a period of time that lasted over 40 years. Interesting stories about the effect of Prohibition on the local wineries (including Paul Masson) will make you smile.
- Lincoln’s Funeral Train- miracles and sadness traveled with the death of Present Abraham Lincoln as his funeral train made it’s last journey.
- Flying Tigers – find out more about these intrepid Americans who fought an air war prior to WWII for freedom in China.
The presentations are appropriate for groups of all ages. Cosyn has given presentations to those interested in the Civil War, railroads, winemakers, high schools, as well as local history and other organizations. If you are interested in having Cosyn speak before your organization, you can contact him HERE. More information on lectures HERE.
 Survey For Saratoga, CA Citizens
The Saratoga Historical Museum wishes to survey and document the ideas, dreams, and facts about a group of Saratogans who did something quite extraordinary. They uprooted themselves, left their families and countries of origin and the "comforts of home". They took a risk not only by moving to and living in a new country, the USA, but also by changing their citizenship status. From the Museum’s standpoint, these special individuals are making and changing history and adding to the great cultural mix of Saratoga, CA and the USA. If you would like to be part of this survey, live in Saratoga, CA, immigrated here from another country and have become a citizen-- please download the survey!
Download HERE (29Kb .doc file).
 Calling All Village Historians
Any one who wants to write about the historic buildings in the Saratoga Village where restaurants are located i.e. what used to be in that building; what buildings can be seen from the restaurant windows or what the buildings next to them used to be are welcome to become a "Village Historian." Send your information to Willys Peck c/o SHF, PO Box 172 Saratoga, CA 95071. The information will be sent to each restaurant so that customers can read and enjoy this historic information while they wait to be served.
 One Room Schoolhouse Looking for a Bell!
The Saratoga Historical Foundation’s one-room schoolhouse is expected to open at the end of April. It is funded by a grant from the Farrington Historical Foundation.
The program is looking for a 16-inch in diameter bell for use in the bell tower. If you have one you wish to donate or for SHF to purchase, please e-mail Annette Stransky or call: 408-867-4311.
The schoolhouse will be used for the popular education program conducted by the Saratoga Historical Foundation. The education program is designed to comply with third and fourth grade classes studying California and local history. The hands-on experience of life in the 1870’s takes place in the Saratoga History Museum and the adjacent historic McWilliams house. Students don clothing appropriate to the era and costumed docents engage the students in various activities. When the schoolhouse is not in use by the education program, visitors can tour the schoolhouse and see what education was like in Victorian times.
In addition to classes targeting third and fourth grade, other age groups have participated in the popular program. Over 8500 students went through the program in 2011 and presently every Saratoga elementary school is participating. Schools, public, private and home-schooled, may also participate.
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