Off-site Exhibits

Baer Blacksmith Shop

McClellan Ranch Preserve, 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

As part of a long term loan and partnership with the park, the restored Baer Blacksmith Shop at McClellan Ranch has most of the museum's collection of blacksmithing artifacts.

Blacksmithing Demonstrations

Last Saturday of each month, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Free admission & free parking. Come and learn a bit about early Cupertino history and the craft of blacksmithing. Blacksmithing demonstrations can also be scheduled for schools and groups for a fee. To schedule, contact Salmon D’Miles or 408-777-3134.

Video Links coming soon

Testimony

March 2, 2023
Hello Gail, Sharon and Donna,
I just wanted to thank you for all that you brought to the Blacksmithing demonstration and McClellan last weekend. The visitors were very impressed and so am I.
Warmly,
D’Miles

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 - next to city hall

Pages of Wonder

on display Fall 2021 - Present

A sample of children’s books from earlier years.
The display cabinet is located on the second floor of the Cupertino Library just to the right of the landing of the grand staircase.

Cupertino Women Making Things Happen

on display February 2020 – Fall 2021

The first part of this three-part exhibit highlights notable local women from the mid-1800s to 1950. Among the women featured is Elizabeth Lowe Watson, the foremost leader of the California Women’s Suffrage Movement. She served as President of the California Equal Suffrage Association from 1909-1911. She owned and farmed “Sunny Brae,” located off Bubb Road, with her sons. The exhibit was conceived in honor of the hundredth anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the United States.

Valley of Heart's Delight

on display June 2011 - December 2011

The Cupertino Library in collaboration with the Cupertino Historical Society and the Cupertino Library Foundation announced the inaugural event unveiling The California Western Americana Collection (CWA) at the Cupertino Library. This group has also formed the Santa Clara Valley History Collaborative, with the purpose of enhancing and promoting the historical richness of Santa Clara Valley.

Cupertino Fire Station

20215 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014

Cupertino's first fire "engine"

On display at the fire station lobby along with other early fire equipment. Blacksmith Charlie Baer hand crafted a large soda fire extinguisher that would be towed behind a horse or automobile. The center tank contained the soda and the outer tanks contained the acid that would react and create the foam that would put out a fire. The soda-acid extinguisher was patented in the USA in 1880 by Almon M. Granger (US patent number 233,235). His extinguisher design used the reaction between sodium bicarbonate solution and sulfuric acid to expel pressurized water onto a fire. Once the acid was mixed with the bicarbonate solution, carbon dioxide gas was expelled through a hose to smother a fire. Later on in 1904 Aleksandr Loran in Russia invented the chemical foam extinguisher which could be used in the same kind of tanks. The main tank contained a solution of sodium bicarbonate in water. The outer tanks contained a solution of aluminium sulphate. When the solutions were mixed, the two liquids reacted to create a frothy foam, and carbon dioxide gas. The gas expelled the foam through a hose in the form of a jet. Licorice-root extracts and similar compounds were sometimes used as additives to stabilize the foam by reinforcing the bubble-walls. This extinguisher did not have very much capacity, especially for a whole house or store. But, is was better than nothing and worked well if the citizens could get to a small fire before it became big.

Cupertino Historical Society & Museum