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Contra Costa County Historical Society
Our mission is to preserve, protect, and provide public access to the records and heritage of Contra Costa County.
One of a kind and Special "Shelter in Place" Books Available
Looking for a some history books to fill up your Shelter in Place days?
We have a list of our one-of-a-kind books, which you can peruse by clicking here.
We also have discounted some of our regular books during this time.
The price you see is the price you pay, inclusive of tax and shipping charges. To find out more or to purchase one of these books, click on the picture below:
--> Update 06/29/2020 <--
Per order of the Contra Costa Health Services, the History Center remains closed to visitors but our volunteers are back in a limited capacity.
We are currently in a "wait and see" mode, but hope to reopen to visitors soon.
Executive Director Couden Retiring
Seeking applications for replacement
Executive Director Priscilla Couden has decided to retire from her position, effective October 31, 2020. Applications are now being sought by the board for her replacement. News of her retirement can be found by clicking here. The formal announcement as well as expected qualifications for the position can be found by clicking on this link. We are requesting that applications for the position be forwarded to CCCHS by Monday, August 17th. See the announcement for details.
History Center Hours of Operation and Contact Information
The History Center has expanded its open hours of operation. In addition to our weekday opening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9AM to 4PM, we are open on both the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10AM to 2PM.
Our hours of operation are:
Tuesdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Thursdays, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
From time to time, we may be open for special events, such as exhibit open houses, or if there is an event in downtown Martinez.
Remember, we are staffed largely by volunteers, so we may not always be open the entire time. To be sure we are open, please call ahead. We are also available via email at "info@cocohistory.org".
The Contra Costa County Historical Society's History Center is located at:
724 Escobar St.
Martinez, CA
Phone: 925-229-1042
Fax: 925-229-1772
Visit our online book store by clicking here or visit us in person for additional items not sold online.
CCCHS video at Lesher Foundation "Newsmakers" Speaker Series
On November 2, 2015, the Contra Costa County Historical Society was chosen to be the non-profit "partner" for that night's lecture in the "Newsmakers: Lesher Speaker Series" held at the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek. In addition to a generous donation of event tickets to the society, media sponsor KTVU Channel 2 sent a video crew to the Center to make a video highlighting some of our accomplishments. The 2 1/2 minute video was screened to the audience at the event, and a copy of the finished product was given to the Society to use as it sees fit. You may see the video shown that night by clicking on this link.
Looking for a gift for that hard-to-buy for history buff? The History Center offers a wide variety of books, photographs and services that they will just love.
A membership in the Contra Costa County Historical Society makes a great gift too. For details on Society membership, whether for yourself or as a gift, please click here.
CCCHS: The Video!
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Board Member Steve James, producer/volunteer Santiago Chen and many other volunteers at the Center, the Contra Costa County Historical Society has released a YouTube video showing the many facets and facilities available to the public at our History Center in Martinez. If you wish to see the video, click on
this link.
Topographical Maps for Sale
While cleaning up the map room recently, we came across a number of duplicate copies of our topographical county maps, along with a few that were from outside the county. We are making them available for sale, but please note that the quantities are quite limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. For information on what maps available, please click on this link.
Before BART - Electric Railroads Link Contra Costa County, The Book!
CCCHS Past President and Curator of the San Ramon Valley Museum Beverly Lane has extended the great photos and research from our wildly successful exhibit on Electric Trains in Contra Costa County in 2012 into a booklet that the Society is proud to make available to the public. Click here to get more information on the booklet and how to purchase your own copy.
Click here to see a list of the Society's charter members.
You can also see a list of the Society's presidents from 1951 to the present by clicking here.
The Contra Costa County Historical Society's mission is to preserve for the benefit of the people of our County, the relics of our past. We are using the World Wide Web in order to give more of us access to the wonderful stories of the people who lived in our County, so many years ago. The Society hopes that these Web pages will bring the people of Contra Costa's present, closer to those who lived, worked and died in our County and who are, our History.
The current officers and board of directors of the Contra Costa Historical Society are:
Officer
Name
Home Town
Term Expires
President
John Greitzer
Martinez
12/31/2022
1st Vice President
Tara Weber
Martinez
12/31/2021
2nd Vice President
John Burgh
Concord
12/31/2020
Secretary
Lisa Gorrell
Martinez
12/31/2021
Treasurer
Steve James
El Sobrante
12/31/2020
Director
Andrea Blachman
Martinez
12/31/2020
Director
Scott Saftler
Walnut Creek
12/31/2020
Director
John Mercurio
Concord
12/31/2021
Director
Donald Bastin
El Sobrante
12/31/2022
Director
Oliver Bray
Martinez
12/31/2022
Director
Beverly Lane
Danville
12/31/2022
Director
Barry Goode
Pt. Richmond
12/31/2022
Director
Open
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Director Emeritus
Betty Maffei
Walnut Creek
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Executive Director
Priscilla Couden
Walnut Creek
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