Alta California
Nick Neely Author Talk
Saturday, May 1 at 2:00 p.m.
FREE Virtual Event

In 1769, A Spanish exploring party led by Gaspar de Portolá walked from what is now San Diego to San Francisco.  In 2016, Nick Neely followed in their footsteps, then wrote about his journey in Alta California, A Journey on Foot to Rediscover the Golden State.  In this FREE virtual event, Nick will talk about his 650-mile trek and what he discovered about the Spanish explorers, the Native Americans who met them, and what has happened in the intervening century and a half.
"Constantly vibrating at the background of Neely’s journey is his single–minded focus on the original trek . . . That ghostly 650 miles of the original trek, known as the El Camino Real, is a great way to talk about how much has changed, but it’s also an artful way for Neely to think critically about some of our founding mythologies . . . Neely also is an excellent field guide . . . He is, moreover, a thoughtful observer of people in public, the way we live and the way we work, and the decisions we’ve made about how to manage our land, the so–called 'built California' he’s spending months traversing . . . Immensely rewarding." —Nathan Deuel, Los Angeles Times

Options to buy the book:
Bookshop.org
Powell's City of Books
Amazon

Stay online after Nick Neely's presentation for a
​General Meeting
Saturday, May 1, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

After the Alta California ​presentation, stay online for a General Meeting. Find out the latest Historical Society news in reports from officers.

Street Names Backstory
Thank you to the sponsors who made it possible to present this free virtual presentation on the history behind some San Leandro street names, and to the donors who made the online auction a success, and to the 70+ participants whose lively discussion made it fun.

Thank you Sponsors!

Joe and Diane Winkel
​Chad and Jean Pennebaker
​Evelyn and Juan González 
Rick Simons
Seena Clark

Thank You to Donors!
Diana Prola
Maria Magallon
Jacqui Diaz
Linda Slater
Betty Brown

We learned so much from Vincent Medina's amazing presentation--
​"Mak-nuunu 'išša: Persistence and Revival for the Muwekma Ohlone People" 
​Thank you to the sponsors who made it possible!
​Evelyn and Juan González
​Seena Clark
Cindy and Rick Simons

And to all the guests!

Seeking San Leandro African American Stories

What brought people to San Leandro from the four corners of the earth?  What gifts did they bring? What were their problems? What problems remain unsolved?

The San Leandro History Museum, in partnership with the Historical Society, is researching for a new exhibit called "Community Voices." The exhibit will explore the shifting demographics in San Leandro that began in the mid-20th century and continues today. In the first phase of the project, research will focus on African American life in San Leandro. The second phase will focus on the Asian community, and the third phase will focus on the Latino community.

Research for the first phase of the project, focused on African Americans, is underway. Your story of African American life in San Leandro will add depth and reality to statistics and facts and help explain how our city became the vibrant, diverse community it is today.

How would you describe life here? Did you grow up in San Leandro or move from another city or country? What are your experiences, successes, or challenges? Do you or did you participate in making any changes in your community? Would you like to share any photos or documents to help tell your story? Go down in history by sharing your part in San Leandro's progression/evolution. The new exhibit will expand the historical information offered by the Museum and will become part of the historical archives. 

Although the museum is currently closed, we would still like to hear from you. If you are interested, please contact Museum Curator Addie Silveira by email at asilveira@sanleandro.org. The San Leandro Museum is administered by the San Leandro Public Library.