| Exhibit Information |
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| J. Gilbert Smith House |
| History Museum |
| Museum Collection |
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| Our Mission: Collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the Los Altos area. |
| Education: | |
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Educational Curriculum Tours Each year, all Los Altos third-graders and fourth-graders attending Los Altos School District public schools are invited to participate in three-hour morning theme days held at the Los Altos History Museum. The curriculum for both field trips is especially designed to be age-appropriate for elementary school children and carefully aligned to the California History Social Studies Standards. Lessons are taught by credentialed teachers and history museum-trained docents. |
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Third Grade Local History Grade three students learn about their community from Ohlone times to the present day as they rotate through three interesting teaching stations. At Station 1, the museum's permanent exhibit, Crown of the Peninsula, examines how the land of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills has been used over thousands of years from Ohlone times to the era of Silicon Valley businesses. The station's train display models the town's streets and buildings at they looked in the 1930s. Much to the delight of the children, Los Altos founder Paul Shoup’s Southern Pacific Railroad train rumbles through the little town on its way to Vasona Junction (Los Gatos). At Station 2, students view vibrant paintings of old Los Altos; the 1900-1940 works of Los Altan Annie Knapp Fitz are colorful renderings of a struggling railroad town and the rigors of farm life in days past. Annie considered herself a "primitive painter,” and children love creating their own versions of the tank house, harvesting apricots, or painting a happy face on Nellie, the family cow, as they each try their hand at creating a personal "masterpiece.” At Station 3, the children tour J. Gilbert Smith's 1905 Craftsman home. A museum since 1977, the Smith house now replicates a 1930s style farmhouse and rekindles memories of simpler times. As students exit the house, they have a much greater appreciation of the time-saving devices brought about by modern technology, although all admit that ice cream tasted much better when hand-churned. |
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Fourth Grade: California History - The 1950s “Set” in 1953, a classroom DVD introduces fourth graders to a soldier who has just returned from the Korean War. The soldier weaves the story of California's growth during and after World War II, and generally prepares the pupils for their California “Recent” History field trip to the museum. The morning field trip takes students to Hillview School, the Los Altos History Museum, and the Los Altos City Council chambers – all located in our Civic Center. Classes often picnic under the oaks following the sessions. Experiences include: |
Participation • All Los Altos School District 3rd and 4th graders are invited to add a historic curriculum tour to their schedule. The third grade programs are supported by a generous grant from a local family foundation. Please contact your school principal (?) for information on the annual spring tours. |
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The History Museum complex is admission FREE.
Visitors are welcome to enjoy the gardens even when the house
and museum are closed. Picnic tables are available for lunch under the heritage oaks.
Self-Guided and Docent Tours Available
Explore the main museum on your own or opt for a docent guided tour at no additional charge. The J. Gilbert Smith House requires a docent guide. A free audio tour is available at the Museum Store for the upper level permanent exhibit. Special tours may be scheduled for groups of ten or more. A month’s lead time is required. Please call 650.948.9427, Ext. 89.
We are closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
Copyright 2008. Association of the Los Altos Historical Museum.