Contra Costa County Historical Society

08/06/2026

The Contra Costa County Historical Society had an informative tour of the Martinez Refining Company this week! It was neat to see the historic parts of the facility as well as learn about the new history they are creating each day. We encourage everyone to visit the Shell Alumni Museum on Pacheco or attend a MRC Community Advisory Panel meeting. You can find more information here: https://martinezrefiningcompany.com/community-advisory-panel-cap/

07/29/2026

Have you ever thought about volunteering at the history center? We are looking for volunteers in the following areas:
Administrative Support
eBay and bookstore staff
Events/Outreach
General Housekeeping
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please reach out to [email protected]

07/18/2026

Heading to the top of Mt Diablo for the 175th anniversary of the geological survey marker! If you see me (LeighAnn), say hi and I'll give you a free copy of the Mount Diablo Guide while supplies last*

07/15/2026

We are just a little past the halfway mark on our goal to raise $6,000 for the Davies photo negative collection! The Alamo Improvement Association has generously put together a GoFundMe campaign AND offered to match these funds in order to preserve our important history and make it accessible to the public. We can't thank them enough for the support! If you are interested in supporting this project, please click on the link and make your donation today!

Historical Alamo Photo Restoration Project

In the 1930s, Alamo, California was a sleepy agricultural village.

There was no freeway, no Army Corps of Engineers altering San Ramon Creek, and no stoplights.

Albert Davies was a professional photographer who moved to Alamo in 1933 from Berkeley. He was the proprietor of “The Davies Press” and was very active in Alamo civic affairs, including trusteeship of the local grammar school. Mr. Davies spent his time here photographing the landscapes of the San Ramon Valley, the people, culture, businesses, and agriculture.

These photographic images represent a window into the pre-World War II way of life in Contra Costa County and were believed by the Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCCHS) to have been forever lost when Mr. Davies left Alamo and moved to the Sierra Nevada.

Miraculously, they have now been found.

CCCHS would like to preserve and protect these historical images by digitizing and scanning them.

Once added to the searchable database maintained by the Contra Costa County Historical Society, the public will have a chance to see many of these preserved historical photos for themselves.

This project has caught the interest of the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA).

AIA has established a Go Fund Me account for the $12,000 needed for this project. AIA will match each dollar donated up to $6,000 for a total of $12,000.

Please join us in this community project to preserve Alamo's history for the future.

Thank you for your donation!

Roger Smith
AIA President

Steve Meyers
AIA Board Member

Derene Allen
AIA Board Member
https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-us-in-saving-alamos-historical-images

07/07/2026

Are you looking for a summer class to keep yourself busy? Check out Mark Wilson's class at the West Contra Costa Adult Education Center! The class is titled, "Frank Lloyd Wright's West Coast Architecture" see below for course description:
This course will cover the architecture and colorful client stories of the dozens of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in California, Oregon, and Washington, including: the Buehler House in Orinda, Walker House in Carmel, and the Marin County Courthouse, used in several movies and music videos. Information will be provided on which Wright buildings are open to the public. Instructor is the author of "Frank Lloyd Wright on the West Coast."
Class begins on July 16!! for more information or to enroll, click here:

07/03/2026

The History Center in Martinez will be closed this Saturday in observation of our 250th Independence Day! We hope you have a safe and fun holiday!

06/30/2026

Thank you to everyone who has pitched in on our Fundraising Campaign! If you would like to donate you can visit our website at www.cocohistory.org/support

06/23/2026

Historical Alamo Photo Restoration Project In the 1930s, Alamo, California… Roger Smith needs your support for Join Us in Saving Alamo's Historical Images

06/04/2026

Can you help us reach our goal?

Historical Alamo Photo Restoration Project

In the 1930s, Alamo, California was a sleepy agricultural village.

There was no freeway, no Army Corps of Engineers altering San Ramon Creek, and no stoplights.

Albert Davies was a professional photographer who moved to Alamo in 1933 from Berkeley. He was the proprietor of “The Davies Press” and was very active in Alamo civic affairs, including trusteeship of the local grammar school. Mr. Davies spent his time here photographing the landscapes of the San Ramon Valley, the people, culture, businesses, and agriculture.

These photographic images represent a window into the pre-World War II way of life in Contra Costa County and were believed by the Contra Costa County Historical Society (CCCHS) to have been forever lost when Mr. Davies left Alamo and moved to the Sierra Nevada.

Miraculously, they have now been found.

CCCHS would like to preserve and protect these historical images by digitizing and scanning them.

Once added to the searchable database maintained by the Contra Costa County Historical Society, the public will have a chance to see many of these preserved historical photos for themselves.

This project has caught the interest of the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA).

AIA has established a Go Fund Me account for the $12,000 needed for this project. AIA will match each dollar donated up to $6,000 for a total of $12,000.

Please join us in this community project to preserve Alamo's history for the future.

Thank you for your donation!

Roger Smith
AIA President

Steve Meyers
AIA Board Member

Derene Allen
AIA Board Member
https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-us-in-saving-alamos-historical-images

06/02/2026

Heads up Historical Society Friends and Members, the Alamo Improvement Association is hosting a Donation Drive to help us preserve the AE Davies Photo Negative Collection! We are so thankful that they are putting their support behind this important project. We are about halfway through rehousing the 5,000 negatives in this collection and can't wait to share it with the community! Please consider donating or sharing this post to help us reach our goal! Every dollar donated to this fundraiser will be matched by AIA up to $6K!

Historical Alamo Photo Restoration Project In the 1930s, Alamo, California… Roger Smith needs your support for Join Us in Saving Alamo's Historical Images