Lafayette Historical Society

Lafayette, California

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From The Archives: Millicent Hamburger: When I Dance — Acalanes Dance Group, Sandra Bagnall 2002

June 15, 2024 Leave a Comment

When I Dance Title Card

In 1941, the principal of the new Acalanes High School hired Millicent Hamburger, a trained and talented dance instructor from New York City, to be an English teacher and to establish a dance program for interested students. She would go to inspire and direct the Acalanes Dance Group for 30 years, after which she returned […]

Filed Under: Acalanes High School, Archives Tagged With: Acalanes High School, Dance, Education, English

Oral History: Wendell G. Pleis — May 21st, 2021

April 25, 2022 2 Comments

Title Card for Wendell G. Pleis

Summary: Wendell G. Pleis was interviewed by Andree Duggan on May 21, 2021. Mr. Pleis was born in Fairbury, Nebraska, in 1929. He served for three years with the U.S. Air Force in Europe, starting his education and training in electronics during that time. He then continued his studies in this field when he returned […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Education, Oral History

Oral History: Paul Melmed — April 17th, 2015

May 9, 2017 6 Comments

Summary: Paul Melmed moved to Lafayette and established the Melmed Learning Clinic when he completed his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Berkeley in 1970. He soon established close ties with local pediatricians and began helping students overcome reading and other learning disorders by “making kids feel good about themselves, and making parents feel good about […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Education, Oral History

Oral History: Bruce Wodhams — August 3rd, 2015

April 11, 2017 Leave a Comment

Bruce Wodhams was principal of Springhill School for 24 years. His first impression of Springhill was very high after his previous experience in areas with less parental involvement and high academic standing. He was involved in the inclusion of several community organizations who met at the school (ie. scouts and LMYA sports). He supervised and […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Education, Oral History

Oral History: Nancy Flood — July 2nd, 2008

November 11, 2016 1 Comment

Nancy Flood’s family first settled in Lafayette during the 1850s. Each generation of her family contributed to the development of Lafayette in many ways. Nancy has lived here all her life. She taught in Lafayette schools for 41 years. She is active in the Lafayette Improvement Association and Lafayette Town Hall. She is also a […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: 2009 Library Project, Early Settlers, Education, Oral History

Oral History: Jennie Bickerstaff – 1957

August 9, 2016 Leave a Comment

This is a recording of a talk she gave to the Contra Costa Historical Society In 1957 when she was 85 years old. Her talk includes stories about the founders, other pioneers, and about life in early Lafayette. As a little girl, Jennie first came to Lafayette in 1877 from Pennsylvania and again in 1879 […]

Filed Under: Oral History Tagged With: Education, Oral History, Pioneer

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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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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