Hayward Area Historical Society facts for kids
The Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) is a group that helps keep the history of Hayward, California, and nearby towns alive. These towns include San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, and Fairview. They also cover parts of Alameda County that are not part of a city.
HAHS was started in 1956. Their museum in Downtown Hayward moved a few times. The old museum closed in 2012, and a new one opened nearby in 2014.
Contents
What Does the HAHS Do?
The Hayward Area Historical Society does many things to preserve local history. They work with other groups to take care of important historical places.
Caring for Historic Places
HAHS helps manage several historic sites:
- The Meek Mansion
- The McConaghy House
- The San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery
They work with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District for the mansions and with Alameda County for the cemetery.
Honoring Local Historians
Each year, HAHS gives out special awards called the History Awards. These awards honor people who have done a great job studying and protecting local history. The 13th awards were given out in 2012.
Sharing History and Research
HAHS also shares history with the community. They have given talks about local history, sometimes with California State University, East Bay. They also help people research their family history, which is called genealogy.
Documenting Local Life
The Society has worked on special projects, too. They teamed up with a photographer named Bill Owens for the Hayward Documentary Project. This project helped capture and save images of everyday life in Hayward.
Preserving Important Papers
The Society also keeps important historical documents. They are the place where the papers of Pete Stark are stored. He was a US Congressperson from the area for 40 years. These papers tell the story of his time serving the community.
