Los Altos History Museum Blog

Press Releases

Museum Program Challenges Myths about Winchester Heiress and Sister Isabel

LOS ALTOS, CA (Jul 1, 2025) – Sarah Winchester is mostly remembered as a reclusive spiritualist tormented by guilt over the Winchester rifle’s deadly legacy. Her sister Isabel Merriman is largely overlooked, known only in relation to Sarah. A new program at Los Altos History Museum challenges these portrayals and brings both women into focus. “The Pardee Sisters: An Interview…
July 1, 2025
Press Releases

Museum’s Apricot STEM Fair Offers Fun for All Ages

LOS ALTOS, CA (June 24, 2025) – Apricot-themed and nature-inspired activities await at Los Altos History Museum's “Apricot STEM Fair” on Saturday, July 19, from 10am to 4pm. Held in the Museum’s courtyard and adjacent Los Altos Heritage Orchard, the event blends STEM, history, and creativity for a day of hands-on learning and fun. Designed for all ages, the fair…
June 24, 2025
In The News

Isabel Merriman’s story takes center stage at History Museum

Town Crier Report/Los Altos Town Crier Among the Pardee sisters born in New Haven, Connecticut, much is known about Sarah – heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Her younger sister, Isabel, has long been overlooked. A new exhibition at Los Altos History Museum aims to change that. Building El Sueño: Isabel Merriman, Sarah Winchester, and the California Dream,” opens…
June 17, 2025
Press Releases

Isabel Merriman’s Story Takes Center Stage at History Museum

LOS ALTOS, CA (June 10, 2025) – Among the Pardee sisters born in New Haven, Connecticut, much is known about Sarah—heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Her younger sister, Isabel, has long been overlooked. A new exhibition at Los Altos History Museum aims to change that. “Building El Sueño: Isabel Merriman, Sarah Winchester, and the California Dream,” opens June…
June 10, 2025
Blog

When Chill Fails and Rain Falls: Nature’s Toll on the Apricot Orchard 

For a long time, my family members have talked about the uncertainties of agriculture. You can do everything right and then nature throws a curveball. You figure out what happened then pick yourself up and try again. Last winter, nature pitched three curveballs in the Civic Center Apricot Orchard. Although there was a short freeze, the total chill hours were…
May 29, 2025
In The News

Sip local wine, support local history at Los Altos museum fundraiser

Town Crier Report/Los Altos Town Crier Tickets are on sale through May 31 for the upoming Los Altos History Museum fundraiser, “A Taste of History.” The museum’s signature fundraiser and auction is scheduled 6-10 p.m. June 14. Held in the museum’s scenic garden courtyard, this new open-air experience offers an evening of casual elegance, complete with fire pits, live music…
May 27, 2025
Press Releases

Museum Program Highlights History and Reawakening of Chochenyo Language

LOS ALTOS, CA (May 6, 2025) – Los Altos History Museum will shine a light on the endangered Indigenous language of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe—aboriginal to the San Francisco Bay Area—in its upcoming program, “A History of Chochenyo: A Language Reawakened,” on Wednesday, May 21, from 5:30 - 7pm. Leading the program is Bernadette Quiroz, Language Revitalization Chair for the…
May 6, 2025
Press Releases

Sip Local Wine, Support Local History at Museum’s Fundraiser

LOS ALTOS, CA (April 29, 2025) – Los Altos History Museum invites the community to celebrate in style at “A Taste of History,” its signature fundraiser and auction, on Saturday, June 14, from 6 to 10pm. Held in the Museum’s scenic garden courtyard, this new open-air experience offers an evening of casual elegance, complete with fire pits, live music by…
April 29, 2025
Press Releases

Museum’s Program Explores the History of the Muwekma Tribe

LOS ALTOS, CA (April 1, 2025) – Los Altos History Museum's upcoming program offers the opportunity to learn about the deep-rooted history and resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe from Indigenous scholar Dr. Michael Wilcox. In his talk, “Reframing Indigenous Histories in the Bay Area,” Dr. Wilcox will trace the Tribe’s presence from the end of the Ice Age to…
April 1, 2025
In The News

Native American photo exhibit comes to museum

Town Crier Report/Los Altos Town Crier “She Sang Me a Good Luck Song: The California Indian Photographs of Dugan Aguilar” will bring 28 compelling images to Los Altos History Museum from March 20 to June 8, 2025. This traveling exhibition from Exhibit Envoy redefines conventional portrayals of Native peoples, capturing the resilience and artistry of basket makers, dancers, military veterans…
March 12, 2025

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