Orinda Historical Society

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.

Click here to download our membership form

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

Cheryl Cechvala

Vice President

Teresa Long

Archivist

Nancy Royster

Treasurer

Vivian Ricci

Recording Secretary

Wendy Harnett

Membership Secretary

At-Large Board Members:

Katharine Barrett

Reg Barrett

Kay Norman

Laurie Smith

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.