Washington Township Museum of Local History (Fremont, California) facts for kids
The Washington Township Museum of Local History is a cool place in Fremont, California. It's like a time capsule that helps you learn about the history of a special area called Washington Township. Two groups, the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation and the Washington Township Historical Society, work together to run the museum. Their main goals are to teach people about history, keep old records safe, and protect important historical items from Washington Township.
Washington Township was created way back in 1853. It was a big farming area in Alameda County. Over time, it grew to include eight towns. Some of these towns are now part of Fremont, Newark, and Union City. The towns that became part of Fremont were Centerville, Niles (also known as Vallejo Mills), Mission San Jose, Irvington, and Warm Springs. The towns that became Union City were Alvarado and Decoto. And then there was the town of Newark.
Cecilia Weed was one of the important people who helped start the museum. Philip Holmes was the museum's very first president.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum is home to a huge collection of historical items from Dr. Robert Fisher. This collection includes old record books, important documents, and about 7,500 photographs! These items help tell the story of the local area.
The Museum's Building
The museum is located in a historic building that used to be a fire station. It was built in 1954 for the Mission San Jose Fire District. Volunteer firefighters worked there until the City of Fremont took over. It stopped being a fire station in 1994. After that, the building was updated and then leased to the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation and The Washington Township Historical Society. That's how it became the museum we know today! Volunteers have also done a great job making the garden around the museum look beautiful.
Tours and Learning
The Washington Township Museum of Local History offers tours for school classes and other groups. You can visit the museum itself or explore the Higuera Adobe Historical Park. The museum also offers walking tours that teach you about the local history. These tours cover everything from when Washington Township was first settled to how the "Tri-cities" – Fremont, Newark, and Union City – grew into what they are today.
See also
- Washington Township, Alameda County, California
- Alameda County, California
