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    Los Altos History Museum

    4.8 (97 reviews)
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    Joyce W.

    A small, but meaningful museum about the history of Los Altos. It's got an exhibit on Sarah Winchester and her sister Isabel Merriman who both settled in this area although they're from the East Coast. Quite interesting lives they led. Upstairs, there's a permanent exhibit on the history of this city, which has about 40,000 people, but still feels like a town. Overall, it's a great little museum (with free (!) admission) and about 20-30 minutes is plenty of time to explore and get an idea of the exhibits and the staff are friendly and helpful to give an overview. There's also a little gift shop by the front desk with cute trinkets and toys, as well as books and other souvenirs. You can even rent this museum for a private event such as a party or a wedding!

    Entry to the courtyard
    Jaysie Y.

    We had such a great experience hosting our corporate team-building event for ~60 people at the Los Altos History Museum! The venue is beautiful -- we used both the full courtyard and the galleries, and it worked perfectly for our day. Our event had a few moving parts, including a scavenger hunt, full catering for breakfast and lunch, and even a magician/mentalist -- and the space handled it all seamlessly. The amenities were super convenient too. We had a shuttle drop off team members, and those who drove had no issues finding parking. Lisa was amazing to work with. She was responsive, helpful, and incredibly accommodating -- from the early setup to coordinating all the logistics. Our team had a great time, and the smooth transition between indoor and outdoor spaces made the whole experience feel effortless. We also selected Heirloom from their approved vendor list, and the combination was smoother than I could have even dreamed! Would definitely recommend for events -- both personal and corporate!

    Sunil R.

    This is a tiny, local, and delightful museum. The volunteers here were great, very knowledgeable and eager to share. Expect to spend 30 minutes in the main museum to learn about the history of the town and 30 minutes at the Smith House, which is a guided tour with a volunteer.

    Inside museum
    Annabelle R.

    Free admission. Videos and exhibits about the Spanish missions in California, how streets got their names, and the El Camino Real bells. They're really proud of their bells here! And apricots! The indoor museum is small, but informative, with some fun facts about the history of the city and surrounding area. The outdoor space and garden are lovely (they actually sometimes do events out there). The Smith House is something similar to the Museum of American Heritage, with items of the past set up in different rooms, including a unique square grand Steinway piano from the 1800's at the corner of one of the rooms. There was a staff member/docent giving a tour of this house this past Sunday afternoon too. We listened in a bit, but preferred self-guided exploration of all the different spaces on site. The main museum has two levels, but it's small, even with the outdoor area, so it's easy to see it all in less than an hour. On a rainy day if you don't want to spend time outside, 30 minutes would probably be sufficient. Keep in mind, they have rotating special exhibits, so check the website to see what's currently on displqy. Also, plenty of parking available right in front of the museum.

    Reception table outside
    Bentley S.

    The Los Altos History Museum was the perfect venue for our wedding. From the moment we first reached out, Lisa was friendly, empathetic and incredibly responsive, making us feel special throughout the planning process. The space itself is beautifully decorated and landscaped with a warm, welcoming feel that set the perfect scene for our ceremony and reception. Lisa ensured everything ran smoothly so we could fully enjoy our special day. We couldn't recommend this hidden gem enough - not only is the venue stunning, but we knew our money was going towards a wonderful community organization that puts on great programming. Our guests are still talking about how beautiful and unforgettable the museum was!

    Entrance to Los Altos History Museum
    Kelly M.

    This is a lovely, little museum that shows how Los Altos's origin, and features the people who were prominent in the town. (There is a library building in front, and the museum entrance is further down.) The museum has a gift shop and several interactive exhibits. It includes a model of the downtown recreating how it looked in the 1930's and features Hidden Villa, and the family who donated it to the town. We received a tour of the Smith house by two informative docents. The house is filled with furniture, equipment, and decor from the Depression Era. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had an interesting backstory that included a mother who prevented the Smith's marriage for many years; thus, they never had children. This museum is definitely worth a visit!

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    9 months ago

    A little gem of a museum for a quick 30 - 45 minute visit. Lots of interesting local history.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Los Altos History Museum

    Review Highlights - Los Altos History Museum

    “My wife and I were married at LAHM in early July and Mark Perry was an absolute pleasure to work with.”

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

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