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Published on 08/10/1998 All articles from this issue

History House Education Center within 10% of fund-raising goal

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Town Crier Staff Report

The fund-raising campaign for the Education Center at History House in Los Altos is within 10 percent of its $1.65 million goal set in 1996.

The community campaign to raise the final 10 percent kicks off Aug. 30 with a "Mid-Summer Flourish" party on the grounds of the former Adobe Creek Lodge in Los Altos Hills, now the home of Bob and Susan Wayman.

Ginny Lear, co-chairwoman of the Education Center's fund-raising steering committee, said that, by late next year, the Education Center could be ready to open.

Lack of space now limits the ability of History House Museum volunteers to display thousands of artifacts and documents, Lear said, and to present and interpret the area's multi-faceted heritage.

The center, designed by Steinberg and Associates of San Jose, will provide 8,200 square feet of space and serve as a research facility and museum for the greater Los Altos and Los Altos Hills community.

Interactive exhibits will stimulate and encourage interest in local history, Lear said. The exhibits will correlate with student curricula, to reinforce and augment learning.

In addition to displaying a permanent collection of artifacts from the 19th century to current times, the Education Center will present changing exhibits.

The center will house an enlarged archival preparation and storage area that is climate-controlled and fireproof. Computers will enable quick public access to written and photographic archives. A space for community meetings and events, a kitchen, and a gift shop are also included in the plans.

The Education Center project is extremely bold for a small community to undertake privately, Lear said.

Los Altos City Council cooperated by allowing the center to be located beside the History House Museum on the city's Civic Center property. Two challenge grants, which match donations 1 to 1, gave the project momentum to proceed.

In 1996, challenge grants of $650,000 came from Los Altos residents and community activists Bob and Marion Grimm, and $100,000 from the Los Altos-based David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Community response has been very positive, Lear said. Last week, the Packard Foundation board authorized an additional $150,000 grant to the Education Center project, bringing the fund-raising campaign to 90 percent of its goal.

The community campaign to complete the $1.65-million goal kicks off Aug. 30 from 3-6 p.m. The Waymans have restored and enlarged the former Adobe Creek Lodge, a local historic landmark.

Tickets to the event are $125 per person. For more information and reservations, call 948-7436.