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Hayward Area Historical Society Collection HistoryHAHS was created by an interested community in 1956. Volunteers immediately began gathering members and asking pioneer families to fill out historical questionnaires. Those documents became the foundation for HAHS' extensive archives. During the ceremony to sign the Society's charter the society proclaimed its intent to "discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge of the history of the Hayward Area." Some of the group's first actions were to refurbish and preserve a portrait of Don Guillermo Castro painted in 1852, honor the grave of William Hayward on Memorial Day, organize the first clean-up of the San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery, and secure a fire proof safe to store historic documents they intended to collect. Soon, the first artifacts began to be donated. The very first artifacts were a copy of the Hayward Journal from 1894 and a lard press used on a farm in Castro Valley.Over the past fifty years the HAHS collection has expanded to include an archive and library, a three dimensional collection and two historic house collections. HAHS is committed to storing and safe-guarding the collection in a manner that will preserve it for future generations to enjoy. Many exciting projects have been implemented, and some completed, in our efforts to upgrade storage conditions and methods to professional museum standards. For further information on these projects please visit our Projects page. The historical society acknowledges that the Hayward Area is a very diverse community and is dedicated to expanding our collection so that it is representative of that community. For further information on what we are looking to add to our collection please visit our Wish List page. Hayward Area Historical Society Donation PolicyThe Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) actively solicits and welcomes gift donations that meet the needs of the collection and the mission of the museum. To be considered for acceptance, an object must meet the following criteria:
Objects that are duplicates of current collection holdings or that are not in good condition may be considered for our education collection, a hands-on-learning tool, or for our prop collection if the potential donor agrees. Acceptance to the education collection will be at the discretion of the Education Director. Please note:
If you wish to make a donation to the Historical Society, we encourage you call us or to send a brief description of the item, its origin and history if known, dimensions and any pictures to the HAHS. This may be done electronically or through the postal service. Donations for the library or archive should be addressed to Diane Curry. Donations for the three dimensional collection or the historic house collections should be addressed to Heather Farquhar. This will aid us in determining if an item is right for our collection and in preparing for its arrival if it is accepted. Please do not send or drop off the original object until we have accepted it into the collection and made arrangements for its transfer. Contact InformationFor donation or other information regarding the Historical Society's three dimensional collection, the McConaghy House collection or the Meek Estate collection please contact:Heather Farquhar, Collections Manager For donation or other information regarding the Archives and Library please contact: Diane Curry 510-581-0223 Diane@Haywardareahistory.org Hayward Area Historical Society Access PolicyThe Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) collections exist for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. HAHS shall grant reasonable access to exhibited and stored collections on a non-discriminatory basis for the purposes of research and education. Some items in the collections may have restricted or limited access based on the condition of the item requested. All researchers will be asked to follow guidelines for handling collection items set by museum policy.Photography will be at the discretion of museum staff. Decisions to allow photography will be based on the purpose for which the photograph is taken and may be restricted for copyright or condition reasons. Access to collections on exhibit is open to the general public during normal operating hours, 11a.m. to 4p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or by appointment. Access to the Library and Archive is available Wednesday through Saturday between 11a.m. and 4p.m. or by appointment. Please see Library and Archives page for further details. Access to three dimensional collections in storage is by appointment only Monday through Friday between 9a.m. and 5p.m. Please contact collections manager Heather Farquhar for further details. | ||
 Check out our educational website for younger students and their teachers: www.historycrossroads.org  HAHS E-Announcements
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