https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiGh-IthFSU

History at Home

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Closure

Due to San Mateo County entering the Widespread (Purple) COVID Tier, the San Mateo County History Museum and Archives, Sanchez Adobe and Woodside Store are all closed until further notice. Please enjoy our History at Home and online programs.

San Mateo County History Museum

The history of the Peninsula from the original native people to today’s inhabitants.

Discover the San Mateo County History Museum
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Historic Site

Sanchez Adobe

Discover what life was like during California’s first three historic periods.

Discover the Sanchez Adobe

Photo by Joe Messina

Historic Site

Woodside Store

Discover the rich history of the San Francisco Peninsula’s original country store.

Discover the Woodside Store

Featured Exhibits

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  • Group photo of Gladys Norton Daycare on Humboldt Street in the 1950s

    San Mateo County’s African American History

  • Detail of mural from Land of Opportunity exhibit at the San Mateo County History Museum

    Land of Opportunity

  • A display of a El Dorado and vintage auto memorabilia at the Journey to Work exhibit at the San Mateo County History Museum

    Journey to Work

Upcoming Events

El Camino Real and Crystal Springs Road Right of Way Acquisition Project, California Division of Highways, 1951-1953
Thu 28

Courthouse Docket – Get Out of the Way for the Highway

January 28 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm PST
Feb 05

Free First Friday

February 5 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm PST
Chinese Lunar New Year lions perform at the San Mateo County History Museum
Feb 20

Courthouse Docket – Lunar New Year

February 20 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm PST

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What our visitors are saying about us

“Finally, a history lesson the whole family will enjoy...you'll find enough interactive kiosks, video cameras, microphones, and learning-lab gadgets to keep a generation raised on video games alert and engrossed.”

San Francisco MagazineThe Best of the Bay Area: The Obsession Edition

“In terms of topical approach, design, content, and overall execution within a restored historic building, it is the best county museum in California!”

John HodgesPast-President, California Heritage Council

“Voted #1 Things To Do in Redwood City”

Trip Advisor

“A stunning building... a landmark of the city's resurrection as a thriving, cool downtown that people gravitate to.”

@rnginpa

“Wonderful local museum with a balance of informative and interactive exhibits. A great place to go for a sense of San Mateo history.”

Shannon M

“Truly a fabulous museum and walk through memory lane.”

Sylvia A

“This is one of the best history museums in the Bay Area… the exhibits are always new and interesting.”

Barbara B

“It is fabulous. Full of great exhibitions and in a historical building to boot.”

Rick E

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