The Historical Society Museum, located at 80 Chestnut Avenue, is housed in the former offices of the California Water Service Company. For 20 years, the museum was located at the Magnolia Senior Center, 601 Grand Avenue, but it outgrew that location with its growing collection of artifacts and memorabilia. The Society opened its doors at 80 Chestnut Avenue on November 6, 2008.

The Museum collection includes:

• Vintage wedding gowns and other vintage clothing that belonged to early families
• A beautiful tea cup collection donated by local residents
• Photos and artifacts dating from the 1850s to the present, tracing the history of the “Industrial City”
• Oral history tapes
• Audio/Visual Room with historic school yearbooks, relevant newspaper articles, maps, Bay Area historical reference materials and paintings from local artists
• Rotating Special Exhibit Room
• Public database for researching historical photographs

Knowledgeable docents are available to answer questions and guide visitors.

The museum store includes the video/DVDs “Sign of the Times” (1987), a document of the history of Sign Hill; “Baden toBiotech” (2008), a documentary of the history of South San Francisco; and “The 2008 Centennial Celebration” (2009), a short video highlighting the festivities that occurred during the centennial year. Numerous books on the history of South San Francisco are available, including souvenir pins, coffee mugs, t-shirts, postcards, and the 2008 Centennial postage stamp.

Museum Hours
Tuesday and Thursday
2 – 4 p.m.

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday
1 – 3 p.m.

Admission
Admission is free! Tours are available by appointment: (650) 829-3825