Get a glimpse of the past while visiting the Saratoga History Museum. Nestled against the hillside, the turn-of-the-century former drugstore contains displays of artifacts and photographs from early Saratoga.
Take a Tour--- A Walking Tour of Saratoga
Join us on May 30 at 1:OO PM for a walking tour of the Saratoga Village or Oak Street. Led by knowledgeable docents you will learn about the city's history, local culture, and stories you wouldn't have expected. Learn about Saratoga's wild days as a frontier town as well as a destination resort with mineral springs. It is free and you’ll enjoy the walk.
May is National Preservation Month, established in 1973 by the Trust for Historic Preservation to highlight the importance of saving historic places and celebrating community heritage.
Find out more about your town! Meet in front of the Saratoga Museum at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road Saratoga, CA 95070-5935. Phone: 408-867-4311. Email: www.saratogahistory.com.
The Blossom Festival Canceled!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the June 13 Saratoga Blossom Festival has been cancelled.
New Lecture: "Southbay Flashback—A History of Rock and Roll!"
A lecture is planned for May 14 “Southbay Flashback-A History of rock and roll in the South Bay and is based on the book by Bill Guardino and Brian Conroy. The lecture is sponsored by the Saratoga Historical Foundation.
Since the Summer of Love rock historians have focused their attention on San Francisco as the musical epicenter of the Bay Area during the 1960s. But fifty miles down the road, the South Bay boasted an equally vibrant music scene with its own bands, venues, radio stations and underground newspapers. South Bay Flashback, a lecture by Brian Conroy and Bill Guardino, excavates this forgotten history that put the South Bay on the musical map. For this presentation, Guardino and Conroy will discuss the South Bay’s role in 1960’s musical history, as well as the unique contributions of bands and musicians from Saratoga. Turn on, tune in, and flash back with us!!
The presentation will be held at Saratoga Foothill Club 20399 Park Place, Saratoga from 4-6 PM. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
Brian Conroy is the author of eight books including the musical history Shooting Stars and Blazing Guitars. For thirty-five years he taught theater and public speaking in the Moreland School District and storytelling at San Jose State University.
Bill Guardino began collecting rock memorabilia 55 years ago. His vast collection of vinyl records, posters, handbills, and autographed photos is considered the largest private collection of rock ephemera in Northern California. His collection is the basis of South Bay Flashback.
The Saratoga Historical Foundation can be reached at www.saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-4311.
Tracing its Roots
Trace Saratoga's colorful history from the Muwekma Ohlone Indians, early lumbermills, fertile prune orchards, dancing champagne fountains of Paul Masson to the present stately charm of the area through the exhibits. Special exhibits are set up regularly—so there's a reason to return time and time again.
Art, Artists and More
Saratoga takes pride in its legendary residents—Senator Phelan who created the famed Villa Montalvo's center of arts; Isabel Stine who built the lovely Hakone gardens; Theodore Wores, a famous plein air artist known for capturing the beauty of Santa Clara valley; Kathleen Norris, prolific writer of novels; vintner Paul Masson; actresses Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine and more! Several of the local buildings were designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan.
Historical Figures
The legacy of historical figures can be found throughout Saratoga. Mary Brown, wife of abolitionist John Brown, lived in Saratoga for several years and is buried in historic Madronia Cemetery. "Sunshine" Williams, founder of the famous Saratoga Blossom Festival was one of the original members of the Sempervirens Club who proposed Big Basin become a state park; Riley Septimus Moutrey, one of the "heroes" who rescued members of the Donner Party in 1847; and Augustus J. Dowd who discovered the Calaveras Big Tree Grove in 1852.
Walk or Ride
The museum offers docent-led walking tours by calling 408-867-4311. See charming 100-year old homes, historic Oak Street School, the World War I Memorial Arch and more. A self-guided historic home bicycling tour is also available with the map available online or at the Museum.
Visit the Museum Gift Shop
Stop by the Museum gift shop and see the new book from Author and Lecturer Robin Chapman: The Valley of Heart's Delight — the True Tales from Around the Bay.
The Museum Gift Shop has copies of the hard to find Florence Cunningham's Saratoga's First Hundred Years along with over 20 other books on local history, postcards, notecards, and more. You'll also find books on the town fire department, autobiographies of local citizens, and beautiful artwork for sale.
Next door to the museum is the McWilliams House, also a historical landmark. Built in 1852, the McWilliams House offers a snapshot of how the McWilliams family (with five girls) lived during the 1800s. Completely restored, it is used for educational programs for both adults and children. The McWilliams blacksmith has interesting tools a blacksmith would use. Audiovisual films also show the blacksmith's work. A favorite point of interest and photo site is the one-room schoolhouse located next door.
Steeped in History
Founded over 150 years ago, Saratoga is one of the oldest towns in California and one of the first founded in the West. In fact, the entire town of Saratoga is a historic destination and is a California State Landmark. After visiting the museum, visitors will enjoy walking around the Saratoga Village—shopping in the boutiques, poking in antique stores, dining at a variety of restaurants, wine tasting or taking advantage of a long list of interesting places to see and do.
Upcoming Events
Browse the calendar for lectures, exhibits, and special programs—then stay in the loop by email.
Patchwork History-- the People's Bicentennial Quilt
April 22, 2026
The Saratoga Historical foundation presents "Patchwork History-- the People's Bicentennial Quilt" a lecture by Connie Young Yu.
The quit was created for the bicentennial. In 1976. Each woman was asked to create a square for the quilt that meant something to her. The square was hand sewn, made of cotton pieces and measured 71 inches by 129 inches. Each square was created by a different woman. Topics were varied - Harpers ferry, Equal Schooling for the South, and Women Hold Up Half the Sky to mention a few.
The quilt is on display at the International Quilt Study Center Museum in Nebraska.
Take a moment to read about the history of Saratoga blacksmiths! The attached presentation gives a quick overview on the roles of a blacksmith in 1850 as well as the blacksmiths that once worked in Saratoga.
The information was given in a presentation to the Saratoga Foothill Club as well as was part of a display in the Saratoga Library lobby.
