History San José

History San José (HSJ) is a historical society in San José, California. Its activities began in 1949 following the centennial celebration of the California Gold Rush and statehood, initially as the San José Historical Museum managed by the City of San José. The non-profit San José Historical Museum Association, incorporated in 1971 to raise funds for Museum projects, became what is now known as History San José. The organization operates three sites: History Park, the Gonzales/Peralta Adobe — Fallon House Historic Site, and the Collection Center/Research Library & Archives. It manages one of the largest collections of regional history artifacts in California and manages the City of San José's historic collection as part of its contract with the City.

History San José's (HSJ) activities began in 1949 following the centennial celebration of the California Gold Rush and statehood. Known initially as the San José Historical Museum and managed by the City of San José, the museum was assisted by the non-profit San José Historical Museum Association, incorporated in 1971 to raise funds to support Museum projects. The non-profit became what is now known as History San José. Over the decades, the Museum has grown to include three sites: History Park, the Gonzales/Peralta Adobe — Fallon House Historic Site, and the Collection Center/Research Library & Archives. History Park, in Kelley Park, is a 14-acre town-like assemblage of 32 original and reconstructed homes, businesses, and landmarks highlighting the culture and history of San José and Santa Clara Valley. The Gonzales-Peralta Adobe — Fallon House Historic Site is located in historic San Pedro Square; the 1855 Victorian Carmela & Thomas Fallon House showcases 15 furnished period rooms, and across the street the Gonzales-Peralta Adobe, built in 1797, is San José's oldest surviving address and the only structure remaining from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. History San José manages one of the largest collections of regional history artifacts in California, housed at the Collection Center, a state-of-the-art facility near History Park. The Museum continues to collect contemporary history documenting the social and political happenings in the Valley. In 1998, the City of San Jose purchased the former Beechnut Building on Senter Road, across from Kelley Park; the building was renovated to include 40,000 square feet for the City's historic collection, including offices and work areas, a reading room, and two storage rooms. In 2006, a large federal grant, matched by community donations, allowed HSJ to move the Archives and Library from the Pacific Hotel in History Park to the Collection Center. The artifact collection continued to be relocated from disparate warehouses in the park, as well as downtown San Jose, over the next decade.

Anchors the region's diverse cultural history by offering compelling experiences—exhibitions, festivals, educational programs, and academic research—for audiences to discover the dynamic history of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley.

1. 1Home - History San Josehistorysanjose.org
2. 2History - History San Josehistorysanjose.org
3. 3Rentals - History San Josehistorysanjose.org
4. 4The History San José Collection - History San Josehistorysanjose.org
5. 5History San Joséwikidata.org