Take A Moment Out and 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.

Click here for the presentation: The History of Saratoga Blacksmiths

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Giving Tuesday — November 29

National day of giving whether it is volunteer time or money. Your donation to the Saratoga Historical Foundation will go towards the building of the blacksmith exhibit. Donate today! Click here to make a donation.

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New Exhibit at the Saratoga Library

Forging a New Community--- the History of Saratoga Blacksmiths, a new exhibit opens December 1 in the lobby of the Saratoga library. The new exhibit, created by the Saratoga History Museum, will run through January 31. Using photos and artifacts, the exhibit traces the history of blacksmithing, one of the key positions in growing communities in the 1800s. As skilled craftspeople, blacksmiths using a forge and anvil could bend metal and create important tools and services.

Transportation by horse or wagon depended on the blacksmith to be able to shoe horses and repair wagons; nails, hinges, locks, gates, and other metal objects were needed for building structures; for creating or repairing crowbars, axles, axes, plows, and other tools for agriculture; and repairing existing items such as household pots and pans.

The Saratoga Library is located at 13650 Saratoga Avenue in Saratoga, CA. For more information, go up to www.saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-4311.

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New Lecture on “Past and Extant Farms in the Santa Clara Valley” by Andy Mariani

Santa Clara Valley, once known as the Valley of Heart's Delight is now known as Silicon Valley. How, when, and why did it change? The Saratoga Historical Foundation presents, "Past and Extant Farms in the Santa Clara Valley" by Pioneer Agriculturist Andy Mariani on January 28 at 7:00 PM on Zoom. The talk covers a brief history of the farming industry in the Santa Clara Valley, causes of its rapid decline, and profiles of some of the remaining farms, including their survival strategies, as they face the challenges of the increasingly urbanized world of Silicon Valley.

Educated in both horticultural and behavioral science, Andy Mariani, who grew up in Cupertino, continues to grow fruit on his family’s farm in Morgan Hill, but once pursued a career in city management and spent a year as Saratoga’s Administrative Assistant. His farm grows specialty fruit with a national reputation for its quality.

The program will be on Zoom and can be reached by:

Click To Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 819 8944 2077
Passcode: 175559

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Lecture by Author Robin Chapman: “The Valley of Heart's Delight: True Tales From Around the Bay” on March 14.

Saratoga Historical Foundation presents the newest lecture on her book, "The Valley of Heart's Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay". Her talk will take place at the Saratoga Foothill Club on March 14 at 7:00 PM. The Foothill Club is located at 20399 Park Place in Saratoga, CA.

Chapman will share glimpses of the intriguing true stories shes been researching since she returned to her home state of California, from her travels as a journalist. Did you know director Alfred Hitchcock once had an estate in the hills above Saratoga, a residence that had a direct impact on his screenplay for “The Birds”? That crooner Bing Crosby helped start a local youth center? That the Santa Clara Valley was once home to an extensive electric rail system used by early 20th century commuters? These are some of the tantalizing tales she will share in her upcoming program.

Chapman’s newest book "The Valley of Heart's Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay," joins "California Apricots: The Lost Orchards of Silicon Valley," and "Historic Bay Area Visionaries" in a triple tribute to the vibrant stories of California. Chapman is a journalist who covered Washington D.C for more than a decade. Now back in the Golden State, she writes full time and gives lectures. Follow her at: robinchapmannews.blogspot.com.

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New Exhibit: Bell, Book and Candle

The Saratoga History Museum's new exhibit,"Bell, Book, and Candle," is open and runs through December 31. The exhibit traces the history of the circuit riders of the 1850s and others who brought religion to Saratoga to the present. The exhibit highlights over 24 houses of worship including photos of some of the beautiful architecture of the houses of worship in Saratoga including two that started in prune sheds. There is a diversity of religion over the years reflecting the changes in the community.

The Saratoga History Museum is located at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga. The museum is open from 1-4 PM on Friday, 10-4 PM on Saturday and 1-4 PM on Sunday. Admission is free.

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Blacksmith Exhibit Scheduled to Open 2023

A new blacksmith exhibit will open in 2023 demonstrating the work a blacksmith of the 1850s would have handled. Interactivity and sound effects will add to the ambience. Also planned is a nonfunctional outhouse as part of the turn of the century theme of all the structures in the Saratoga Historical Park. All the structures, the McWilliams House, one-room schoolhouse, museum, and soon the blacksmith exhibit are used to teach pioneer living as well as Saratoga's rich history.

If you would like to contribute to this exhibit, ($5000 contribution and higher and your name will be on a plaque on the outside of the exhibit)-- send your contribution to:

Blacksmith Exhibit
c/0 Saratoga Historical Foundation
PO Box 172
Saratoga, CA 95071

Your donation is tax deductible.

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Free Activities

Explore our Pioneer Living program for 3rd-5th grades, and take a walk around Saratoga to spot Bats and Other Wildlife using these pictures.

Pioneer Living.

Bats and Other Wildlife in Saratoga.

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Join or Renew your Membership Today! Or make a Donation!

Support local history and the museum today. The Saratoga Historical Foundation invites you to join, renew your membership or make a dontaion today.

Click on this link to complete your membership application on line.
Click on this link to make a donation on line.