For the month of April, McConaghy House is open on the First Saturday. Visit this beautiful farmhouse and take a step into history.
*McConaghy House is normally open the second Saturday of the month and will resume normal schedule in May.
For the month of April, Meek Mansion will be open on the Second Saturday to coincide with Cherryland Community Association’s Eggstravaganza. Participate in egg hunts in the park and visit Meek Mansion while you’re there!
*Meek Mansion is usually open the first Saturday of the month and will resume normal schedule in May.
Ever wonder if the spirits of the McConaghy Family still wander the halls of their house? Paranormal investigations allow guests to visit our historic homes for ghostly experiences. Our experienced paranormal docents guide guests through the proper investigation process while sharing some of their past findings and offering the opportunity to have your own experience. Purchase tickets in advance - not available at the door.
Special for toddlers! Join us for a craft and storytime at the Hayward Area Historical Society.
In honor of Earth Day, join us for a storytime and craft celebrating bugs and nature.
Celebrate Earth Day and create your own contact paper earth ornament and binoculars to spy birds and bugs. Drop in for themed activities appropriate for all ages in our cozy classroom space! No reservations required | FREE
Contribute to Hayward’s history! Do you have family photos that capture Hayward area memories? Bring your photos to the HAHS Museum and we will scan them to create a digital copy to add to our collection. You keep the original! Please limit to 12 photos per person.
Start your day with a morning walking tour at Lone Tree Cemetery! Visit the final resting places of the Rodeo King of the West, an Indy 500 winner, the town’s namesake, and many more! This tour will also examine some interesting grave markers and discuss local legends. Meet in front of Mausoleum 2, located behind the cemetery office. Recommended for ages 14+. More information about the 2025 tour schedule is available here.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Hayward Area Historical Society by creating your own beaded shamrock or rainbow collage.
Special for toddlers! Join us for a craft and storytime at the Hayward Area Historical Society.
This month, we will read St Patrick’s Day stories, and decorate a shamrock.
For children age 5 & younger.
Are you interested in knowing more about Meek Mansion? Learn about the three generations of Meeks who lived in the mansion and their impact on the Hayward area. The tour lasts about an hour and will take guests to the second floor.
Tickets: $15 General Admission, Free for HAHS Members. Space is limited.
Celebrate Black artistry by creating your own Story Quilt!
Inspired by Faith Ringgold and Gee's Bend quilters, create a quilted collage that represents your family and heritage. All materials provided.
Optional: bring a photo of your family or a special place to add to your quilt.
Celebrate Black artistry by creating your own Story Quilt!
Inspired by Faith Ringgold and Gee's Bend quilters, create a quilted collage that represents your family and heritage. All materials provided.
Optional: bring a photo of your family or a special place to add to your quilt.
The vast majority of those who occupied the White House never came close to replicating the extraordinary leadership of the likes of Washington, Lincoln, or Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Why? Gerald Henig (author and professor emeritus of history at California State University, East Bay) offers little-known and compelling stories—funny, tragic, and, in some cases, startling— that help to explain why only a handful of our chief executives etched a place for themselves in the annals of presidential greatness.
Registration Required | Free
Join in celebrating Black History Month at the Hayward Area Historical Society! This week, families are invited to make collages inspired by Alma Thomas’s beautiful paintings.
Plus, there’s an opportunity to make your own dragon or lantern for Lunar New Year!
As always, there’s also a book/toy nook to play in and a free play art table and coloring pages that are always available.
Ever wonder what happens with artifacts when they are not on display? Curious as to what happens behind the scenes at HAHS? Sign up to tour the Hayward Area Historical Society collections with Registrar Emily Conrado and learn more about how we store and preserve artifacts.
Registration Required | Free
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with us at the Hayward Area Historical Society! Decorate paper dragons and make paper lanterns to ring in the Year of the Snake.
For those with shorter attention spans, our toy/book nook is available for play. We also host a free-play art table.
All ages, no reservation required.
It's the season for cider, cookies, and crafts! In addition to visiting our history and art galleries, you can pop in to the museum on Saturdays in December to make a salt dough ornament and other festive crafts while enjoying hot cider and cookies in our little elves workshop.
Enjoy the Christmas décor and view the first floor at your own pace during a self-guided tour where docents and staff can answer your questions. In addition, we have something special scheduled for each Saturday — See the full program list in the rest of our calendar.
Enjoy holiday music by members of the Hayward Community Chorus and guitarist Jos Van Der Wilk. Then make your own Santa Searcher to help catch a glimpse of St. Nick!
Christmas twinkle is never brighter than in the evening, so come tour Meek when it's all aglow. This hour long tour will cover Christmas traditions and Meek Family history in a cozy glittering setting. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for HAHS Members. Ages 12+
Tell Santa what you want for Christmas and take your own photos with the jolly fellow.
It's the season for cider, cookies, and crafts! In addition to visiting our history and art galleries, you can pop in to the museum on Saturdays in December to make a salt dough ornament and other festive crafts while enjoying hot cider and cookies in our little elves workshop.
Mrs. Claus has stories to share, so bring your little ones to meet her!
Enjoy the Christmas décor and view the first floor at your own pace during a self-guided tour where docents and staff can answer your questions. In addition, we have something special scheduled for each Saturday — See the full program list in the rest of our calendar.
Christmas twinkle is never brighter than in the evening, so come tour Meek when it's all aglow. This hour long tour will cover Christmas traditions and Meek Family history in a cozy glittering setting. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for HAHS Members. Purchase tickets below. Ages 12+
Tell Santa what you want for Christmas and take your own photos with the jolly fellow.
It's the season for cider, cookies, and crafts! In addition to visiting our history and art galleries, you can pop in to the museum on Saturdays in December to make a salt dough ornament and other festive crafts while enjoying hot cider and cookies in our little elves workshop.
Mrs. Claus has stories to share, so bring your little ones to meet her!
Continue your holiday shopping at our Pop-up Gift Shop! Local artisans offer the most unique options, so come see what gifts you can check off your list!
Enjoy the Christmas décor and view the first floor at your own pace during a self-guided tour where docents and staff can answer your questions. In addition, we have something special scheduled for each Saturday — See the full program list in the rest of our calendar.
Tour the first floor, enjoy hot cocoa, and participate in fun games while waiting for the magical moment when the mansion lights up for the holidays! In partnership with HARD.
Ever wonder why there are so many urns on top of headstones? Notice all those pointy obelisks and floral motifs that adorn burial markers? Have you ever seen a headstone resembling a tree trunk or a log? Each communicates a different sentiment, idea, and identity. Start your morning with a walk through Lone Tree Cemetery and learn about cemetery iconography, symbolism, and the cultures that elevated them.
Registration requested. Meet at Mausoleum 2, behind the cemetery office.
Have you heard rumors about a ghostly woman who peers down to park visitors from Meek Mansion’s second floor? Have you ever wondered whether or not the Meek family’s spirits still reside in the home? Join us in June to help us answer the question, “Is this house haunted?!” Experienced investigators lead attendees through the mansion on a paranormal investigation of Meek Mansion. Investigations last from 7 PM to 1 AM with access to all non-restricted areas. Don’t have your own equipment? Don’t worry; our investigators are happy to share.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. $75 General Admission. Ticket sales help support the ongoing care and maintenance of the historic house. Ages 18+
No Dia de los Muertos celebration would be complete without skulls! On the last day of our wonderful community exhibit, come decorate a skull mask to wear for the day!
Looking for something a little macabre to celebrate the spooky season? Beyond the Veil Guided Tours take guests through these historic homes while teaching them some of the more creepy traditions, beliefs, and practices of the 19th and 20th centuries. Perhaps you will experience a few frightening moments of your own when the houses are dark! Tour times are at 6:15, 7:30, and 8:45 PM.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. $30 General Admission, $25 HAHS Members. Please note that this is not a haunted house program. Ages 14+
As Day of the Dead approaches, we all need a skeleton buddy. Come decorate your very own skeleton friend.
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