Tour the Contra Costa Civic Theatre!
Step behind the curtains on a backstage tour of the Contra Costa Civic Theatre!
El Cerrito’s Cathedral of Culture: The History of Down Home Music
For almost a half century, Down Home Music has been one of the world’s leading record stores for blues, bluegrass, conjunto and other traditional and world music. Come learn about its past as well as its future as a newly recognized nonprofit.
Yesteryears Book Club: Black Death at the Golden Gate
Yesteryears Book Club discusses the California history you didn’t learn in school. Please come join the discussion of David Randall’s book about a forgotten chapter of history: the epidemic that almost destroyed San Francisco.
Murder in the Tule Marsh: A talk by the author of Rustville
Author Virginia Burns speaks to the society about the murder that rocked the East Bay in the 1920s, and which inspired her new novel, Rustville.
Celebrate the Society's Fiftieth Anniversary
In 1975, a small group of residents held the first official meeting of the El Cerrito Historical Society. Fifty years later, we invite you to celebrate our golden jubilee! Come enjoy the art of ikebana, old-fashioned games, snacks and drinks, exhibits and crafts, a talk by one of the society’s founders, and more.
Tour/talk: the history of St Peter CME
Join us for a talk and tour of St. Peter Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), El Cerrito’s only African-American church.
History Al Fresco: How to Document and Learn from Gravesites
Calling all genealogists, photographers, and graveyard wanderers! Join us at Sunset Cemetery, where professional genealogist Melanie Proctor will discuss how to use death records to supercharge your genealogical research— and also how YOUR photographs of graves might assist others across the world.
Celebrate July 4th with us!
Stop by our booth at the City of El Cerrito’s annual July 4th extravaganza!
Yesteryears Book Club: Ramona, a novel by Helen Hunt Jackson
Inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Helen Hunt Jackson wrote Ramona (1884) to protest the plight of indigenous Californians. But the legions who made it a bestseller loved it chiefly as a romance. While the novel’s popularity has long since waned, its imagery and themes continue to shape the way we imagine California’s past. Come discuss the novel and its legacy!
Albany History Walk
Come learn about the city of Albany. El Cerrito’s neighbor has a rich history, from its colorful incorporation story, to University Village, to old train systems and local architecture (some of which overlaps with El Cerrito).
El Cerrito History Hike
Step back in time with Dave Zuckermann explore the history of El Cerrito and environs on this traverse of the upper Hillside Natural Area.
The History of Point Isabel: a talk by Mary Barnsdale
Ohlone settlement, Mexican rancho, dynamite manufactory, frog farm: Point Isabel’s fascinating past has gone largely undocumented until now. Join us for a talk by Mary Barnsdale, author of a forthcoming book about the rich history of one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful parks.
(Image courtesy David Abercrombie)
Harem Scarem Walk: El Cerrito History Through the Eyes of a Local Author
Learn about El Cerrito in the 1930s and 1940s on this guided walk which highlights the places referred to in Neva Calvert Carpenter’s 2006 memoir, Harem Scarem: The Life of a Little Girl Growing up in El Cerrito, California (click here to download the memoir in PDF format). This is a three mile walking tour at an easy pace on level ground, with one short optional climb.
Yesteryears Book Club: Harem Scarem in El Cerrito
Neva Carpenter’s memoir about growing up in the 1930s and ‘40s offers a vivid, entertaining, and moving look at daily life in a bygone El Cerrito. The book is out of print, but you can download a copy right here, then come discuss it with us in March!
Footsteps to the Past: Hiking Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline
El Cerrito Trail Trekkers invites history buffs to join a 2.5 mile hike led by retired East Bay Regional Parks supervising naturalist Dave Zuckermann. The transcontinental railroad once terminated here! Drink in the cool bay breezes as you learn about the park’s storied past.
Per Dave, the hike is “an easy-paced 2.5-mile hike with a few very, very steep sections.” Meet at the main entrance to Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline (the first parking lot to the right off Dornan Drive).