California History Center Foundation

Nearly 50 years ago, the California History Center began as an expansion of a political science program at Foothill College that introduced students to the “history laboratory” experience. Students gathered and used primary sources such as original documents, photographs, oral history, newspapers, and other artifacts to get “the feel for the [historical] event as it actually happened.” The growth of this program coincided with a community-based effort to save one of Cupertino’s few remaining historic structures – a pavilion-style mini-mansion built in 1895 and designed by famed architect Willis Polk, which, along with a vineyard and wine cellar, was part of a country estate known as “Beaulieu.” When De Anza College was built on the site in 1967 community and college leaders created a grassroots campaign to save the building for benefit of campus and community. After years of effort, the building, nicknamed “Trianon,” was rehabilitated, becoming the home of the California History Center, a private nonprofit educational organization. In collaboration with the college, the California History Center offers a multi-faceted program in California Studies.

The Center’s programs help bring to life the natural, social, and political histories of our State and the Santa Clara Valley region.  The Center presents exhibits, offers local history classes through De Anza College, publishes books and a periodical, and operates the Stocklmeir Library and Archives. Special events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops are also featured. Emphasizing an active and engaged involvement in the exploration of history and current events, the center provides students and community members with unique opportunities to:

• conduct research utilizing the holdings of the Center’s Stocklmeir Library and Archives,
• experience site visits as part of course offerings,
• produce oral history interviews through its Silicon Valley Documentation Project,
• view, interact with and create exhibits on regional history topics and themes,
• participate in workshops and special events.

Our belief is that actively thinking about and “doing” history fosters engaged, pro-active individuals who will use an understanding of the past to address current and future issues in pursuit of a democratic, sustainable society.

CHCF’s newest project is the Audrey Edna Butcher Civil Liberties Education Initiative. Inspired by the lessons learned from the World War II Internment of Japanese Americans, this initiative will raise awareness and understanding of civil liberties for our students and create within  them a sense of purpose and agency in protecting and applying the most fundamental precepts of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. The initiative will create opportunities for De Anza students to work on civil liberties related projects with local high school students.

The recipient of numerous awards and honors, the Center, with its programs and resources, has been recognized as an "outstanding educational facility" by the State of California.

Students and community members can participate in all of these activities due to the Center’s own efforts to secure funding outside of the college’s support. Cutbacks in the public education system have forced the Center to find new sources of support.

The Center needs to make sure its programs will remain accessible to the community and our students through your support. Your donations can help us:

1. Fund our library/archives’ efforts to preserve unique documents, oral history recordings, and other research materials that tell the story of our valley.
2. Support new programming aimed at sharing the history and lessons learned from efforts to protect civil liberties.

Thank you for your interest in the California History Center. We hope you will plan a visit soon!