Saratoga Historical Foundation and Museum

04/25/2026

Southbay Flashback—A History of Rock and Roll!
A lecture is planned for May 21 “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

Saratoga Historical Foundation - Preserving and sharing the rich history of Saratoga, California.

04/23/2026

Southbay Flashback—A History of Rock and Roll!
A lecture is planned for May 21 “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

Saratoga Historical Foundation - Preserving and sharing the rich history of Saratoga, California.

03/21/2026

Lecture:“Patchwork History
The People’s Bicentennial Quilt”
By Connie Young Yu, Author
The Saratoga Historical foundation is featuring a lecture by Connie Young Yu on her book, Patchwork History. This book, published in 2010 by the Saratoga Historical Foundation, is the revised, color edition of The People's Bicentennial Quilt written by Connie in 1976 about a quilt made by a group of women of diverse backgrounds for the Bicentennial. “We wanted to portray the people as making history, the nameless, countless members of movements and struggles that have affected the soul and character of America,” wrote Connie in the 1976 book introduction.
The quilt was made of 45 squares, each representing an event in American history chosen by different women -- the Boston Tea Party, Emancipation Proclamation, Wounded Knee, the Women’s Vote, Chinese building the Railroad, Desegregation, the Flint Strike, the Student Movement, to name a few. Connie wrote the historical text for each one.
There is a new introduction in Patchwork History by Alice Keesey Mecoy, the great-grand-daughter of the abolitionist John Brown, titled “The Quilt that Changed my life”.
The Harper’s Ferry square was sewn by Bea Keesey, grand-daughter of John Brown.
Connie will discuss the themes and significance of the Peoples Bicentennial Quilt as we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation.

The talk will be on Zoom on April 22 at 7:00 PM and can be seen by going to www.saratogahistory.com or calling 408-867-4311. The talk is free and open to the public.

Connie Young Yu is a fourth generation Chinese in California and who has written extensively on Asian American issues. She is the author of Chinatown, San Jose, USA and Patchwork History: The Peoples Bicentennial Quilt. She is a trustee of Hakone Foundation and is a member of the advisory board of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP).

The Saratoga Historical Foundation can be reached at www.saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-411.

02/04/2026

Author Craig Harwood will present “Bridget’s Gambit for Survival and Prosperity in the Gold Rush era in California” on March 11 at 7 PM—free and open to the public. The lecture is sponsored by the Saratoga Historical Foundation and will be on Zoom. The talk highlights the life and times of Bridget Evoy who, along with two daughters formed a potent and diverse entrepreneurial force in Gold Rush California. These women broke glass ceilings in the fields of real estate and commerce in the Sacramento Valley Motherlode region and the Bay Area Region. March is heritage month for recognizing notable women.

The Zoom link can be found at www.saratogahistory.com and is listed in the article by Craig Harwood.

Craig Harwood is an accomplished author who co-authored the Quest for Flight as well as author of other articles. He has been an engineering biologist for 35 years.

The Saratoga Historical Foundation can be reached by going up to www.saratogahistory.com or calling 408-867-4311.

12/28/2025

New Lecture on “Lost Gas Stations of San Mateo County” from Saratoga Historical Foundation
The Saratoga Historical Foundation presents “Lost Gas Stations of San Madro County” by co-authors Bruce C. Cu***ng and Nicholas Veronico on January 19 at the Saratoga Foothill Club at 3 PM. The presentation captures a time when service stations also doubled as grocery stores, promoted S & H green stamps, and provided full-service. Many will remember when attendants would check oil, wash windows and even check the air in your tires! The lecture covers the time of 1911 to the present.
The free lecture will be given by Bruce C. Cu***ng and Nicholas Veronico. The two men spent 2 years researching and collecting information and photographs. Bruce Cu***ng had a 42-year-long career in California law enforcement, serving as police chief of Menlo Park and Morgan Hill. Cu***ng has had an interest in all things automotive and currently owns several vintage autos and collects petroleum memorabilia. Nicholas Veronico is the author or coauthor of more than 45 books on art history, aviation, military, and transportation subjects.

The lecture will also include an opportunity to purchase their book, “Lost Gas Stations of San Mateo County “and share memories!

The Saratoga Foothill Club is located at 20399 Park Pl. Saratoga, CA 95070. Free parking.
Light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact the Saratoga Historical Foundation at www.saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-4311.

Saratoga Historical Foundation and Museum - located in Saratoga, California

10/11/2025

Congratulations to the Saratoga Historical Foundation-- recently award a plaque of recognition as "organization of the year" for
the many programs and services provided to the community.

10/06/2025

The Saratoga Historical Foundation had a great blacksmith demonstration and open house on October 4. Two blacksmiths gave great demonstrations, people could see the inside of the McWilliams house, the school house, and the McWilliams blacksmith exhibit!!! Prizes were given for those who could find the "wild" animals around the grounds. Sparkling lemonade and cupcakes helped fuel the fun!!

09/29/2025

We have a new exhibit at the museum--- What are you going to be when you grow up?: Over 50 notable Saratogans are on display. Come see who is on display!!

09/29/2025

The Saratoga Firedepartment held a centennial on June 7 and it was great fun. A day with tours of the station, demonstrations, scavenger hunt, fun hats for the youngsters, and hot dog lunch. The Saratoga Historical Foundation helped celebrate by having the firebook to sell!! And we sold lots. Didn't get Smokey the Bear to autograph any but it was fun meeting him.

06/18/2025

Happy Independence Day!
Patriotic music, singing, and a parade all add up to an old fashioned Independence Day celebration in Saratoga according to Event Organizer Anjali Kausar. The free event will be held on Friday, July 4 from 9:30 to 11 AM at the Kevin Moran Park at 12415 Scully Avenue in Saratoga. Highlights include a parade; ringing of the Liberty Bell by costumed historical figures; group singing; McCartysville band; and free popsicles and US flags. A special patriotic tableau will also take place organized by Holly Fidrych. Tadashi Okuno said the McCartysville wind band will assemble at Kevin Moran Park and kick off the July 4th event at 9:30 AM with familiar patriotic tunes. The band closes out the event around 11:00AM by serenading the audience with a series of Sousa marches as the children parade around the park.
For more information go up to www.saratogaJuly4.com