- P.O. Box 82, Orinda, CA 94563
- (925) 254-1353
WHO WE ARE
Established in 1970, the Orinda Historical Society is an all-volunteer, membership-based, 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit (Tax ID # 94-6204287) organization that seeks to serve the public by preserving our local historical artifacts, documents, and images; publishing a regular members’ newsletter, and offering educational walking tours and lectures on related subjects.
Board Members
Alison Burns
President
Born and brought up in England, Alison lived in France, The Netherlands, Michigan, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Connecticut, and Southern California (where she served as President of the Encinitas Historical Society) before finally settling in Orinda in 2015, and joining OHS and the Orinda Historical Landmarks Committee. Alison is a writer and editor and the author of Legendary Locals of Encinitas. She is currently working on her second book for Arcadia Publishing, Images of America: Orinda
Bob Thompson
Treasurer
Prior to earning his MBA, Bob served as an officer in the United States Navy’s nuclear submarine force, followed by 38 years in the investment industry. Now retired, he currently owns and manages Pacific States Aviation at Concord’s Buchanan Field. Bob also served in various volunteer capacities while a 25-year resident of Orinda, including Chair of the City’s Finance Advisory Committee, and although he has recently relocated to Walnut Creek, continues to serve as Treasurer for both the Orinda Historical Society and the Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe.
Reg Barrett
Secretary
Reg Barrett arrived in Orinda in 1950 to start 3rd grade at Glorietta School, then went onto Del Rey, Orinda Union and Pine Grove before graduating Miramonte with the class of 1960. Reg then studied four years at Humboldt State University, two at the University of Michigan and four at UC Berkeley. After his post doc studies in Alaska, Reg spent three years in Darwin, Australia, returning to Orinda in 1975 and becoming a professor in the Forestry Department at UC Berkeley. Reg has been a loyal member of the Orinda Historical Society for almost half a century!
Wendy Harnett
Membership Secretary
After growing up in Cloverdale, Wendy attended UC Berkeley, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 1976. Purely by accident, she began a 44 year career in law office administration, where she met her husband, Chris. In 1982, Wendy and Chris moved to Orinda, where their three children attended, at one time or another, all of the Orinda Public Schools, except Glorietta. Over the past several decades, Wendy has volunteered in various roles in both the Orinda Schools and other Orinda organizations and now the Orinda Historical Society welcomes her as our new Membership Secretary. A fun historical fact — Ellen Harnett, Wendy's mother-in-law, opened Orinda's first antique store in the 1970s at the original Fire Station site.
At-Large Board Members:
Kay Norman
An Orinda resident for almost 40 years, Kay first became interested in local history when she was asked to write an article about The Old Yellow House for the now-defunct newspaper, the Orinda Sun. Kay has been a member of OHS since 1991, serving as its Recording Secretary for many years, and President from 1992 to 1994. In addition, she spent 22 years on the Orinda Historic Landmark Committee both as Recording Secretary and short-term Chair. For many years Kay also conducted the Society’s history walks for Orinda's third graders, often finding their curiosity and enthusiasm so endearing that she discovered she was the one learning from them!
Katharine Barrett
Beginning in 1975, Kathy was a science educator at the Lawrence Hall of Science and the University of California Botanical Garden until she re-tired in 2008. She co-authored more than a dozen curriculum guides in-cluding Schoolyard Ecology, Math in the Garden, and Botany on Your Plate. Kathy focused her career on engaging youth in environmental stewardship. Her volunteer service for non-profits includes Friends of the Wagner Ranch Nature Area, Earthteam, Parents for a Safer Environment, and the Orinda Historical Society.
Teresa Long
Teresa is a long time Orinda resident who grew up attending a number of Orinda schools including: Orinda Union, Wagner Ranch, Pine Grove & Miramonte. As a former software engineer, Teresa is indispensable to OHS in demystifying our technical issues. From 2004-2011, Teresa served as our newsletter editor and its primary contributor. She is also a dedicated volunteer with Friends of the Joaquin Moraga Adobe.
Laurie Smith
As a current member of the Orinda Historic Landmark Committee, Laurie has been interested in preserving history ever since she graduated with a history degree from USC. Growing up in Berkeley and moving to Orinda in 1984, Laurie has become involved in the local history by leading school tours through OHS and beautifying downtown as a member of the Orinda Garden Club. In addition to her volunteer work, she has also spent the last 25 years working as a teacher at St. Stephen’s Preschool.
OUR FRIENDS
Orinda Woman’s Club (OWC)
One of our most loyal supporters, OWC has recently made a generous donation to help us cover the cost of new carpeting in our Museum as we prepare to open our doors, post-covid, and welcome you back to our local historical museum.
Orinda Historic Landmarks Committee
Overseen by the City of Orinda, the committee works towards the preservation, protection, perpetuation, enhancement and use of sites, buildings, structures, trees, works of art and other objects that have a special historical or architectural value within Orinda.
Friends of Joaquim Moraga Adobe (FJMA)
Orinda’s Joaquin Moraga Adobe, built-in 1841 by Don Joaquin Moraga, is the oldest surviving building in Contra Costa County. FJMA is a group of Lamorinda community members dedicated to preserving the Moraga Adobe and making it accessible to the public as a History and Learning Center.
The Old Yellow House
You’ll have no doubt noticed this 19th-century house as you’ve driven along Moraga Way, so click on the link to learn more about its fascinating history, and how it was saved by an enterprising local architect.
Encinitas Historical Society
And if you should find yourself surfing in North San Diego County, be sure to stop by the beautifully-preserved 1883 Schoolhouse, HQ of the Encinitas Historical Society.