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Museum Exhibits

We welcome you to attend the grand opening of our upcoming exhibit celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Juan Bautista De Anza Expedition passing through Cupertino (March 25-27), and the United States Semiquincentennial! Come see a uniform worn by the reenactors of the expedition in 1976 and much more on display from March through June!

This exhibit showcases all the wonderful things about bees and beekeeping. Learn about different types of bees, see some real hives (no live bees), a honey extractor, and more! Thank you to the beekeepers and experts who loaned items and helped Alecia Thomas research this exhibit!

• Alysa Sakkas, McClellan 4H and Cupertino Rotarian
• Deb Conway, GirlzWurk of Saratoga
• Wendy Towner and The Honey Ladies of Campbell
• Jack Carter, Third Acre Farm in Cupertino

This exhibit highlighted the stories of three Japanese families in Cupertino. It was on view during the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Quinlan Community Center. Produced as a collaboration between Jana Kilpatrick of the Cupertino Historical Society and Museum and the Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities Program これは「Cupertino Historical Society and Museum」と「Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities Program」の共同制作です。

Gadgets Galore! a collaboration between Exhibit Envoy and the Cupertino Historical Society & Museum will be open to the public from February 7th to March 21st. The exhibit tells the story of 20th and 21st century home life - from chores to personal care to entertainment - through the evolution of household tools, machines, and gadgets.

Exhibit signage provided by Exhibit Envoy. Exhibit items curated by Alecia Thomas.
Radio artifacts generously loaned by History San Jose.

Fremont and Cora older were prominent California journalists and historians. You may be familiar with the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, which was the site of their Woodhills home. This exhibit features a gallery wall illustrating many of the Olders' achievements.

The exhibit includes several exciting items - the original guest book used by the Olders at their home, an architectural survey with drawings of the home, and a bust of Fremont Older sculpted by local artist Anna Knapp Fitz - on loan from Morton Levine and Deva Luna at Woodhills. Five beautiful typewriters on loan from History San Jose show what the Older and journalists and writers of their time used for their work.

• Franklin Model 7 Typewriter 1891
• Bing Model 1 Portable Typewriter 1925
• L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter 1910
• L.C. Smith & Corona Special Model 3 Folding Typewriter 1927
• Blickensderfer Model 7 Typewriter 1892

Our window display features a poster explaining more about the land and preservation of Woodhills, generously loaned by the California History Center.

Thanks to Henrietta Marcotte, a founder of Cupertino Historical Society and Cupertino Museum, the story of Painless Parker saw the light of day many years ago in a Cupertino Scene "Roots" article. Parker's story is the stuff of unbridled hyperbole but as the inimitable humorist Dave Barry used to say" am NOT making this up!"

Painless Parker was a real person and he really lived in Cupertino in the early 1900's. Born in New Brunswick, Canada in 1874, Edgar R. Parker must have been a handful as a child and young adult. His parents decided his loud voice and outgoing demeanor would perfectly suit a Baptist preacher. He was dispatched to a seminary where his escapades did not go well in such a staid atmosphere, and he was asked to leave. Fearing parental displeasure, he went off to sea instead, which only increased his worldliness. Upon returning home, he was again sent to seminary - where his behavior so affronted the educators that once again, he was asked to leave. He then went to dental school - where his academic prowess was not impressive - nonetheless he began to practice dentistry in people's homes, before getting his certificate of proficiency. Once again, he stood in danger of being expelled, but somehow convinced the dean to let him continue and he finally graduated.

His ensuing career is the stuff of Hollywood at its most fantastical.

Exhibit researched and curated by Alecia Thomas.
Dentistry and Painless Parker artifacts generously loaned by History San Jose.

The name of the era came of course from Queen Victoria (1819-1901) who was the second longest ruling monarch in British history after Queen Elizabeth. The Victorians were extremely sentimental and family oriented. Many families were large and wanted special tokens of their loved ones. The use of hair was not considered odd or morbid as death was far more prominent then with mortality rates of infants and people felled by illnesses that had no cures yet. Funerals often were held in the home. Hair art and other “body” mementos like plaster casts of hands and death masks went well with the Victorian style of decorating. It was very busy in nature with fabric or flocked wall paper, heavy velvet drapery and all manner of items both hung up and arranged on tables and cabinets. Another quality of hair is its resilience. Hair has been found on centuries old Egyptian mummies that still retain its color and texture.

A small hallway display case along with explanatory signs hanging on the wall illustrates the story of the many wineries along Montebello Road that winds its way up the mountains west of Cupertino. It is available for viewing anytime the Quinlan center is open. Typically, 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday and during any special weekend events.

The garments and accessories a woman in the late Victorian era would use to get ready for a social outing such as a cotillion dance or a theater performance (movie theaters had not yet arrived). Up until the 1950s ladies felt required to wear a hat and gloves. Hat pins and handkerchiefs were also needed. The black dress on display has a waist level bow with pockets for giving and receiving calling cards. Our sailor in an early 1900’s uniform stands ready to escort any lady. His rank is of a Petty Officer Second Class and his rating is of a Storekeeper (crossed keys).

Watch the history of early Cupertino unfold in this exhibit about the story of Cupertino before it was incorporated as a city. The exhibit traces the natural history of the area and early Native American settlements through the “Crossroads” and Incorporation of the City in 1955. Explore artifacts, original documents, and photographs paired with the incomparable pen and ink drawings of Cupertino’s own artist Pete Emig as you find yourself in pre-1950s Cupertino.

The exhibition told the story of visionaries and entrepreneurs who, between 1975 and 1985, turned digital breakthroughs into a cultural revolution. During the next 30 years, this group of pioneers, championing what they called the “noble cause,” making information accessible to everyone. We are grateful for the opportunity to display these rare artifacts brought to us by our Italian benefactor, Marco Boglione.

Come stop by the Cupertino Historical Museum to check out their newest Exhibit 'Bees Contribution to Cupertino's Agriculture and Economy'. The Exhibit will be at the Museum until July 31, 2017.

This new exhibit uncovers the rich wine history of early Cupertino. Join us this summer and learn more about John Doyle and his state of the art winery.

Come learn about Cupertino’s agricultural past. Learn more about when we were called the Valley of Heart’s Delight instead of Silicon Valley.

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the woman’s right to vote in California. Our special thanks go out to Darlene Thorne for the use of her beautiful postcards.

What was the biggest cash crop in Santa Clara County in the 1960s? You may be surprised to learn it was Chrysanthemums.