J. Gilbert Smith House Exhibits

J. Gilbert Smith is best known as an orchardist and builder, but he was also an avid photographer. Whether camping in Yosemite, hiking at Big Sur, or wandering through the blossoming orchards of the Santa Clara Valley, J. Gilbert Smith captured the beauty of California’s diverse landscapes.

‘Tis the season for giving thanks, and around the holidays we are especially grateful for our local amateur radio operators. Known as “hams,” these volunteers help keep our community safe throughout the year at regular public events and during times of crisis. In this exhibit, learn more about the history of hams and how a fun hobby can also keep our neighborhoods prepared and resilient.

Gadgets are an integral part of everyday life. We rely on gadgets to wake us in the morning, make our meals, communicate with each other, and more. But that wasn't always the case. Steam, electricity, and invention allowed items to be produced faster, in larger quantities, over longer hours, and distributed greater distances. This exhibit looks at how we came to have so many gadgets in our lives and where they originated.

What do the Pet Parade, the Japanese tea garden that once graced Shoup Park, and those daffodils along Main and State Streets have in common? They were all seeded by The Garden Club of Los Altos. The accomplishments of the club is the subject of this exhibit on display in the J. Gilbert Smith House Gallery.

The J. Gilbert Smith House will be decorated in 1930's holiday splendor to mark the occasion of this exhibit for young and old of Christmas gifts from yesteryear.

In the spirit of Halloween, the J. Gilbert Smith House will be shrouded in mourning as visitors experience how death influenced life, and discover where many folk beliefs about bad luck and death originated.