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. Cumming 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. Cumming and Nicholas Veronico. The two men spent 2 years researching and collecting information and photographs. Bruce Cumming had a 42-year-long career in California law enforcement, serving as police chief of Menlo Park and Morgan Hill. Cumming 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.

"The Spirit of the Holidays Around the World" exhibit now open

"The Spirit of the Holidays Around the World" highlights the many ways countries around the world celebrate. Hang on to your passport and travel via exhibit cases at the Saratoga History Museum to see the many countries showcased in the exhibit. The exhibit is open now and will run through the end of January.

Special cookie and lemonade reception on Friday, November 28 from 1-4.

The holidays we celebrate and traditions we practice are a significant part of what binds our families and cultures. What holidays from around the world does your family celebrate, and what are your family's unique traditions? From Diwali to Chinese New Year to Three Kings day-- you'll learn something new! Come to the museum and learn about some of the holidays. Create a deeper bond with your past, present, and future family by preserving your family traditions from holidays around the world.

The Museum gift shop will feature colorful postcards, local history books and a few surprises. including an early look at wonderful water color paintings by Saratoga Artist Kay Duffy, just in time for Christmas shopping. Come do your Christmas shopping on November 28. The museum is open from 1-4 Friday, 10-4 on Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday.

For more information go to www.saratogahistory.com or call 408-867-4311. The Saratoga History Museum is located at 20450 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in Saratoga.

The Saratoga History Museum has a new exhibit: "What Are You Going To Be When You Grow Up" featuring over 50 notable Saratogans. What is a notable Saratogan? The list is based on lists that the high school has compiled determining a level of success. They are an interesting group of people — Speedcuber, Chess Master, Actors and more. Come to the museum and find out!! Listings are for Saratoga High, Prospect High and Lynbrook High School. The exhibit will run from now until November 15.

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

Click Here to watch the recording of this March 25, 2025 presentation.

Why is "Silicon Valley" located here, in California? The story goes back to the early 1910's, to local ham radio operators trying to break RCA tube patents, angel investors, the sinking of the Titanic, Fred Terman and Stanford University, local invention of high-power tubes, WWII and radar, and the San Francisco Bay Area infrastructure that developed. These factors determined that the semiconductor and IC industries would be located in the Santa Clara Valley, and that the Valley would remain the world's innovation center as new technologies emerged -- computers, storage, software, search, biotech, virtual reality, autonomous vehicles and now artificial intelligence -- and it would become the model for innovation worldwide.

Paul Wesling, an IEEE Life Fellow, has observed the Valley for decades as an engineer, executive, resident and educator. In this non-technical presentation, he provides the colorful history of technology development that began in Palo Alto, then spread across the Santa Clara Valley during and following WWII.

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.

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

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.