Located in the heart of what was once known as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight,” Los Altos History Museum offers visitors a window into the evolving story of California’s Santa Clara Valley. Opened in 2001, the Museum sits on one of the last remaining apricot orchards in the San Francisco Bay Area and is dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s rich agricultural, cultural, and technological
history.
The Museum features both permanent and rotating exhibitions. Its flagship exhibition, "Making Connections: Stories from the Land," presents an immersive multimedia experience that traces the transformation of the land and its people—from the Ohlone and early Spanish and Mexican landowners to orchard-era farmers and Silicon Valley pioneers. One of the most popular features is a diorama of downtown Los Altos as it appeared in 1932, complete with an operational O-scale model train representing the Southern Pacific rail line that once served the town.
Throughout the year, the Changing Exhibits Gallery showcases two to four original exhibitions focused on local stories, social issues, land use, and the everyday lives of community members past and present. Visitors can also step back in time by crossing the courtyard to the historic J. Gilbert Smith House. Built in 1905 and restored to reflect life during the Great Depression, the Craftsman-style home is recognized as both a local landmark and a California State Point of Historical Interest.
The Museum’s outdoor agricultural exhibit includes a 1915 tank house, apricot cutting and sulfuring sheds, farm equipment, and a vintage tractor that invites hands-on interaction. In 2023, the Museum assumed stewardship of the adjacent Los Altos Heritage Orchard, preserving one of the community’s most visible links to its agricultural roots.
Educational outreach is central to the Museum’s mission. The institution hosts curriculum-based tours for third- and fourth-grade students, offering hands-on engagement with California history. A Teen Docent Program, launched in 2019, invites local high school students to train as museum educators and tour guides. The Museum’s archives house over 20,000 documents, photographs, and objects, and are accessible to researchers by appointment.
Admission is always free, and the Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM. Supported by members, donors, and over 175 volunteers, Los Altos History Museum remains a vital community resource, offering exhibitions, public programs, and educational experiences that connect the past to the present. The Museum’s scenic grounds, including oak-studded gardens and historic buildings, are also available for private events such as weddings, memorials, and community celebrations.
For more information, visit www.losaltoshistory.org.
