Join HAHS Board President, Tom Lorentzen, as he leads a discussion reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the JFK assassination.

Space is limited - please call (510) 581-0223 to reserve your spot. Space is given on a first come, first served basis.

It is always fun to imagine what it would be like to live at Meek Mansion, but did you ever wonder what it takes to run the home and work on the Meek property? September’s guided tour will explore the life of Meek servants and workers in the only tour that guides guests through the servants' quarters.

Free for HAHS Members, $15 Adults, $10 Seniors. Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (510) 581-0223.

RocQuel Johnson, Vice President of the Hayward/South County Black Women Organized for Political Action, will speak about Black Resistance and Political Enfranchisement.

African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms, and resistance has achieved triumphs, successes, and progress. Black people have sought ways to nurture and protect Black lives and the autonomy of their physical and intellectual bodies through many avenues such as education, media, and legislation/politics. Black-led institutions and affiliations have lobbied, litigated, legislated, protested, and succeeded. Black resistance strategies have served as a model for every other social movement in the country; thus, the legacy and importance of these actions cannot be understated.

HAHS is proud to present RocQuel Johnson, Vice President of the Hayward/ South County Black Women Organized for Political Action, who will speak about Black Resistance and BWOPA as they work towards their mission to activate, motivate, promote, support, and educate African-American women about the political process, encourage involvement, and to affirm the commitment to solving problems affecting the African-American community.

RocQuel Johnson has over 23 years of extensive experience facilitating early community engagement work centered around difficult conversations. She has successfully developed direct partnerships, award-winning brand communications, negotiations, and collaborations with communities, government, and elected officials. As Vice President for the Hayward/South County chapter of BWOPA, she helped establish a Covid-19 vaccination education and awareness campaign in unincorporated Alameda County. RocQuel is also a board member of the Black Maternal Health Innovation Lab and has supported new policies centered around equitable Black maternal health for the women of Fresno County and has facilitated several Black maternal forums, including with BWOPA during Black Maternal Wellness Week. She is currently a Communication Specialist with Blue Shield of California Foundation.

It’s always fun to imagine what it would be like to live at Meek Mansion but did you ever wonder what it was like to work at the house and on the land? This specialty tour will explore the life of Meek servants and workers, guiding guests for the first time through servants quarters.

$15 Adults, $10 Seniors, Free for HAHS Members. Space is limited. For tickets, please call (510) 581-0223.

Save the date for this online presentation with Prof. Sherman Lewis! Dr. Lewis will speak about his newest book The Rise and Fall of Hayward’s Route 238 Bypass, which details the story of how Hayward’s Route 238 bypass ultimately never came to fruition. The book is available through Amazon, or an eBook version is available on the Google Play Store.

Registration for this program is now closed. A recording will be available at our YouTube channel in the near future.

Join us for a discussion on Black Health and Wellness during the pandemic. Dr. Michael LeNoir will ground the program with a talk concerning the history and culture of Black medicine, followed by a panel discussion covering the Black COVID experience led by Hayward City Councilmember Angela Andrews. Panelists include Fremont City Councilmember Teresa Cox, Mental Health Professional Dr. William Spivey, and Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L.K. Monroe.

Registration for this event has concluded. Please check back for a link to view the recording on YouTube.

Presented in partnership with the Women’s Ministry of Palma Ceia Baptist Church and the Eden Rose (CA) Chapter of The Links Incorporated.

Grab your morning buns and tea and join us for some literary delights of selected short stories with writing instructor, and author Naomi Shibata of Bend With the Wind and her Nisei writing enthusiasts. Journey into past, as they share stories growing up in Hayward, California in the 1940s and 1950s.

Free event. Registration required. Presentation via Zoom. Co-sponsored by the National Japanese American Historical Society and the Hayward Area Historical Society

Join us for a live online presentation by Professor Erika Walker, exploring the complex and continuing struggle for fully-realized African-American voting rights.

What are the historical pivot-points that have led us to this moment? What are aspects of “Active Citizenship”? How else can we use our power? And where do we go from here?

Registration for this webinar is available at bit.ly/HAHS-AfricanAmericansandtheVote

This program is presented in partnership with the Women’s Ministry of Palma Ceia Baptist Church and Eden Rose (CA) Chapter, of The Links Incorporated.

Between 1883 and 1929, Andrew Carnegie funded the building of over 2,000 public libraries. Some of those historic structures stood in San Leandro and Hayward. Join Annalee Allen, noted local historian, Oakland Tribune columnist, and former board member of the Oakland Heritage Alliance, as she shares the lasting legacy of the local Carnegie libraries.

$5 program fee, Free for HAHS Members

Bring along a special stuffed animal friend to celebrate! Taking a cue from the classic song “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic” (composed in 1907), we will sing songs and play games with our stuffed animal friends, to acknowledge the special place they hold in our hearts and imaginations.

Toddler Time is a family program geared toward children ages 1-5 years and their caregivers. It takes place on the second Thursday of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 AM. Together, we learn through games, crafts, songs, and stories. Older siblings are always welcome.

NOTE: There will be no actual food served during this program. Starting in February, there will be a $5 program fee per each adult for attending Toddler Time. HAHS members are free.

Doing our part to recycle reduces the amount of waste that gets sent to landfills, conserves natural resources, and saves energy. Come for this month’s Toddler Time to learn more about the benefits of recycling and what you can do to help through stories, crafts, and activities. For more information about family programs with HAHS, click here or call (510) 581-0223.

The atmosphere is constantly changing and because of that we feel rain or shine, wind or snow, hot or cold. Join us for this month’s Toddler Time where we’ll further explore the weather around us through games, crafts, and stories. For more information about family programs with HAHS, click here or call (510) 581-0223.

On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed and issued Executive Order 9066, changing the lives of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans forever. In the following months, approximately 110,000 people of Japanese Ancestry were instructed to gather their belongings and report to the Civil Control Station where they were then taken from the West Coast. These men, women, and children were brought to American Concentration Camps and stayed there for the duration of World War II. Join us to hear the Stories from Camps from family members of internees as well as those who experienced the Camps first hand.

Children’s Day, a National Holiday in Japan since 1948, is a day to celebrate the children in our lives and express gratitude towards their mothers. On this day carp-shaped flags, or koinobori, are raised for each member of the family. Join HAHS in celebrating the children in your lives with stories, crafts, and fun. For more information about family programs with HAHS, click here or call (510) 581-0223.

The Hayward Area Historical Society will be hosting a number of programs in conjunction with the Special Gallery Exhibition Loyal Americans: Japanese American Imprisonment During World War II. For the first of these programs we will invite the whole family down to the Museum to learn about traditional Japanese forms of arts and crafts. Looking at and experiencing art often provides important insights into past and existing cultures, helping us better understand how others have lived and what they value. Join us to further explore Japanese culture through Origami and Taiko drumming.

Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. Ancient Japanese legend says that anyone who takes the time and completes 1,000 paper origami cranes will be granted a wish from the gods. In commemoration of this tradition, join us between the hours of 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM in making 1,000 cranes to be hung and displayed in the lobby for the remainder of the Loyal Americans exhibition. 

In Japanese, the word taiko translates to a barrel-shaped drum. In recent decades the art-form of ensemble taiko drumming has become extremely popular with many groups performing at concerts or during festivals. Starting at 11:00 AM, the Eden Aoba Taiko group will put on a demonstration of their drumming and show their art.  

We see buildings and the architecture that goes into making them every day, just take a look around you! This Toddler Time, kids will build things with their own hands, feeling the accomplishment of problem-solving and creating something interesting, beautiful, or even weird. For more information about family programs with HAHS, click here or call (510) 581-0223.

Dr. Seuss is one of the most cherished children’s books authors and illustrators with works including “Green Eggs and Ham”, “The Cat in the Hat”, and many more.  Come enjoy some of Seuss’ stories, join in on crafts, and have fun in your community. For more information about family programs with HAHS, click here or call (510) 581-0223.

Whether you are interested in Bay Area history, looking for a fun way to give back & make friends, or are interested in developing new professional skills, we have the opportunity for you! Come to the next Volunteer Orientation Meeting to find out more about volunteering with your historical society.

Fall is the time to watch the leaves turn and start bundling up.  Join us for stories, games, and crafts! This series recommended for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Click here for more information about family programs. 

Join the Historical Society for our Annual Day of the Dead Program lead by educator, curator, and Día de los Muertos specialist Bea Carrillo Hocker. Hocker’s presentation will address the Pre-Hispanic concept of death as portrayed in the paintings and sculptures of Mexico’s early artists, the impact of Spanish Catholicism on indigenous funerary rites, and offer insights into the present-day pageantry of Día de los Muertos along with the reclamation of these traditions by Mexican Americans.

Following this discussion will be a Mexican Day of the Dead Skeleton Jumping Jack Workshop. Skeleton Jumping Jacks are the traditional toys sold during the Day of the Dead Festival. Come create this traditional toy – accessorize it to give it its own unique personality.

Funding generously provided by Berty Nebenzahl and Ruth Talley.

It is said that music is the “universal language of mankind.” Join us for this month’s Toddler Time to sing, dance, and make your own music! This series is recommended for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Click here for more information about our family programming.

Following a brief introduction to the history of the dance we invite you to come and learn how to Belly Dance with local artist and instructor Joanne Price. All ages and skill levels welcome. 

Deriving from traditional British forms of dance, Scottish Country Dancing became popular in the mid-18th century as a more relaxed and social dance involving groups or couples of dancers.  All ages and skill levels are welcome to join in on this introductory dance lesson of Scottish Country Dancing instructed by local artist Mary McWilliams. Free with museum admission.

Bears have long been a prominent symbol in California, just look to the state flag. Join us for crafts, stories and activities focused on these beautiful creatures.

What’s that tree? This Toddler Time explore the trees that surround us here in the Hayward area through stories, crafts, and activities.