An all-volunteer, member-supported nonprofit preserving Orinda's history since 1970.
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 formBorn 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. Her second book, Images of America: Orinda, was published by Arcadia Publishing in August 2022 and is widely available. Copies can also be purchased directly through OHS, with all proceeds supporting the Society.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
