Mr. Drew will trace the history of one of America’s richest short line railroads which operated between Reno, Carson City, and the Nevada Comstock Lode at Virginia City. After 80 years of operation, the last train ran on May 31, 1950. But in 1976, Orinda resident Robert C. Gray began bringing the Bonanza Railroad “back […]
LHS Annual Potluck Dinner — Imagining History’s Lost Voices: the Women of the Gold Rush
“In the small settlement of the Motherlode, a group of disparate characters have set up a community, held together by the formidable Emaline, hostess of the Wayside Inn. It is there that Alex, on the run from something and disguised as a teenage boy, finds refuge. But once she strikes gold, buried secrets are revealed […]
Downtown Lafayette – Then & Now (Speaker Series and Walking Tour)
Two events for Lafayette Historical Society Supporters in April! Are you smarter then a third grader? Now is the time to find out! And if you are not, you will be at the end of this exceptional pair of informative and fun events from the Lafayette Historical Society in April. Mark your calendars now and […]
February Speaker Series Information
Meet the Marquis
Mark your calendar! Our popular Speaker Series will continue on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 when we present “Meet the Marquis: Who was La Fayette and why are we named after him?” presented by Gilbert Sonet, Lafayette resident and La Fayette research expert. Details in January.
Lafayette Cemetery Talk and Tour
Who’s Who in the Lafayette Cemetery! Join us at one or both of our October events and find out! Lafayette’s Cemetery has been a landmark for many years. Henrietta Hodges died of tuberculosis in 1854 when she was only 13 years old. Unfortunately, there was no cemetery to properly bury young Henrietta. Medford Gorham permitted […]
Town Hall Theatre Tour July 2011
Clive Worsely, Artistic Director of Town Hall Theatre took almost 40 attendees on an exclusive tour of Town Hall Theatre on July 21. Visitors learned much of the history as well as current productions and the education that happens in the historic building. We toured behind the scenes and the dressing room. Refreshments were enjoyed […]
Exclusive Tour of Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre
Take a Back Stage Tour of Lafayette’s Unknown Gem Julie Sullivan, Author Artistic Director Clive Worsley calls Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre, which has stood at 3535 School Street since 1914, an unknown gem because many Lamorinda residents aren’t aware it exists. On Thursday, July 21, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Lafayette Historical Society is providing […]
The Caldecott Fourth Bore-Tunneling Through Time
The locale is the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore between Orinda and Oakland. Imagine the time is the late Miocene period, about 10 million years ago. The climate is warmer and abundant greenery flourishes. Gone are the rugged, rocky hills, the freeways, the cities. In their place is a verdant river flood plain where small, rodent […]
Treasure Island’s 1939 Golden Gate Exposition
What do the Lafayette Historical Society, The Treasure island Museum Association and the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition have in common? The mystery began one morning here in the History Room in early 2010 and will end on May 10 at the Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner! Join your friends, neighbors and fellow Lafayette Historical […]
