Lafayette Historical Society

Lafayette, California

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Oral History: Bruce Wood — May 29th, 2017

August 31, 2017 1 Comment

Bruce Wood helped to found Lafayette Little League in the early 60s and was a popular baseball coach for many years. He placed an ad in the local newspaper and organized a group of volunteers who went on to be coaches, umpires and fund-raisers, as well as create baseball fields still in use today. He […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Community Activist, Oral History

Oral History: Betsey Young — April 28th, 2014

May 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

Betsey was a dancer all her life. In 1956 she co-founded the La-Frantics, a local Lafayette community theater group that put on shows at the Town Hall. Betsey choreographed and performed in the La-Frantics shows for the next 30 years. She also founded the Lafayette Suburban Junior Women’s Club and the Lafayette Community Garden Club, […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Community Activist, Oral History, Performing Arts

Oral History: Louise Clark — October 14th, 2010

May 16, 2017 1 Comment

Summary: Clark attended the University of Chicago. She and her husband lived in Berkeley before moving to Lafayette in 1952. She was the founder of the Parent Participation Nursery School on 1st Street. She raised her family in Lafayette where she was active in many important causes, i.e. anti-smoking campaigns in schools, youth athletic activities, […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Community Activist, Oral History

Oral History: Dorothy Walker — August 5th, 2015

May 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

Summary: Dorothy’s family moved to Lafayette from San Rafael in 1956. Her father wanted to be closer to his work at the Lawrence Lab in Berkeley. Their home was located on Yorkshire Court bordering what is now known as the Trail Area. At that time the railroad was still running and Dorothy remembers walking to […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Community Activist, Oral History

Oral History: Mary McCosker — August 20th, 2015

May 16, 2017 2 Comments

Summary: Mary McCosker looks back upon growing up in Lafayette at a time when she and her brothers could pretty much roam free—riding horses, swimming, and playing outdoors (there was no TV in the home) when they were not in school. Her great grandfather, a Berkeley Professor, had purchased land in Lafayette, and Mary’s parents […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Community Activist, Oral History

Location and Hours

History Room
open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Lafayette Library
& Learning Center,
enter on Golden Gate Way
925-385-2297


Mailing Address: PO Box 133 Lafayette, CA 94549

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Your Memories Tell The Story of Lafayette

Memories of living and working in Lafayette are precious. Let us help you share those memories with others who value the town’s history. Call the Lafayette Historical Society’s Oral History line to set up a brief oral history phone interview with one of our friendly volunteers. Together, we can preserve the vibrant narrative of our town for generations to come.


Call 925-297-5397

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Building the Caldecott Tunnel

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Recent Posts

  • Oral History: Maeve Pessis — July 22, 2009
  • Lafayette Library Display – Honoring the Bicentennial Farewell Tour of the Marquis de Lafayette
  • Oral History: Gwen Lennox — August 8th, 2009
  • Oral History: Lois Laine — June 12th, 2009
  • Out Of The Archives: The 1942 Acalanes High School Yearbook

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