Hayward Area Historical Society
Hayward Area Historical Society
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
25 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
12
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mark M
Jalisco, Mexico259 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
We took a tour of the San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery on All Saints Day at 9 pm, and had a great time. The cemetery has been around since the 1853, thought they stopped using it officially in 1931 or so.
The tour is guided by volunteers, who dress as various undertakers and mourners. The women "actors" are particularly creepy since they have veils that make it nearly impossible to see their faces, and they shuffle about, sometimes making noise to startle you, sometimes they walk up very close to you and you don't know until you turn around. But all in good fun - no chainsaws or other such awful in-your-face stuff as has become the "horror" of today. This leaves plenty to your imagination, and the stories the undertaker tells are true stories of the people buried there.
One of the stories is tragic, school kids killed on a school outing on a wagon long ago by a train. On our tour, totally not "planned" an Amtrak train came through on a track next to the cemetery right after the train story an I admit I jumped a couple of feet.
The tour fees go to support the Hayward Area Historical Society.
It is not a glossy high end Disney experience, it is just a real cemetery with real stories told in a spooky way by some good volunteers.
The tour is guided by volunteers, who dress as various undertakers and mourners. The women "actors" are particularly creepy since they have veils that make it nearly impossible to see their faces, and they shuffle about, sometimes making noise to startle you, sometimes they walk up very close to you and you don't know until you turn around. But all in good fun - no chainsaws or other such awful in-your-face stuff as has become the "horror" of today. This leaves plenty to your imagination, and the stories the undertaker tells are true stories of the people buried there.
One of the stories is tragic, school kids killed on a school outing on a wagon long ago by a train. On our tour, totally not "planned" an Amtrak train came through on a track next to the cemetery right after the train story an I admit I jumped a couple of feet.
The tour fees go to support the Hayward Area Historical Society.
It is not a glossy high end Disney experience, it is just a real cemetery with real stories told in a spooky way by some good volunteers.
Written 3 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlese
36 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The big surprise is that there is a wonderful eating place within the museum. Dont get me wrong I love the quaint museum and its Free access but the special date gets better with access to The Cannery located inside. If you want to hand out and do paperwork and have hot tea or if you want to have a reasonable price breakfast - lunch go for it.They also have special brunch menu on th weekends. When I have time this is my go to spot! take my work computer and go have great breakfast - love the daily scramble, bacon ---
Written 12 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ransom007
Anaheim, CA1,117 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
The museum is located in a strip mall with free parking in the back. The museum entrance is in the back. Admission is free (there are donation boxes if you are so inclined). The greeter is very friendly and informative. There is a good deal of information about the region's history. There is a children's play area with some good intellectual activities to challenge them. There is a cafe next to the museum and the museum has a small gift shop.
Written 25 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
Hayward, California, United States60 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
The museum and its upstairs archives are newly installed at this address. Hayward history boils down to agriculture and canning factories, so that's what the collections exhibit--incl. a corner noting the Japanese expropriation during WWII. The archives should be useful for scholars. There is a nice museum style lunch café which is inexpensive.
Written 8 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KCaliforniatraveler
San Francisco, CA853 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
A free small intimate museum that is educational about the main people who make up Hayward, Castro Valley, Ashland and San Lorenzo. As an added bonus, there is a separate children area for kids to pretend to work in a grocery store, hotel, dress up and fish for fishes. A really nice place to take children and learn something yourself after eating at the Cannery, a yummy breakfast/lunch eatery. It is connected next to the museum.
Written 16 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mark C
Hayward, CA3 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
This is an EXCELLENT venue for an enlightening and entertaining visit. The exhibits are frequenty changed and always well mounted. The City of Hayward is well presented in its past in a major permanent exhibit and a children's interactive section is sure to please younger visitors. Individual and group tours are available by knowledgeable and friendly staff. An in house cafe adds to the enjoyment of your experience with delicious food and beverage options, .................the PERFECT outing!
Written 13 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard P
Hayward, CA22 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
Fresh new local history and cultural center for the greater Hayward area. Exhibits change often and relate to the needs of residents and visitors. Enjoy breakfast and lunch (occasional dinners) at the Cannery Cafe inside the museum - great food.
Written 26 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeadene S
Reno, NV32 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
What a great and awesome place. Lots of public events advertised both historical and haunted. Docents are awesome and kind people as well. Great way to preserve history.
Written 16 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie C
Hayward, CA127 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
The Hayward Area Historical Society is actually a museum, a cafe, and an art gallery.
This high quality museum deserves praise and applause for their exhibits that change every 8 weeks. The space is inviting but not overwhelming. You could spend an hour or two hours, depending on how interested you become. There is a special hands-on area for children. The Cannery Cafe, that is housed in the museum, has had rave reviews and is available for breakfast and lunch. The Hayward Arts Council has a small gallery showing local artists in the same building.
This high quality museum deserves praise and applause for their exhibits that change every 8 weeks. The space is inviting but not overwhelming. You could spend an hour or two hours, depending on how interested you become. There is a special hands-on area for children. The Cannery Cafe, that is housed in the museum, has had rave reviews and is available for breakfast and lunch. The Hayward Arts Council has a small gallery showing local artists in the same building.
Written 28 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fedor-and-Rivka
Bocholtz, The Netherlands645 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
A small but certainly fine museum dedicated to the history of Hayward. At the displays are also personal comments from people who have consciously experienced this era, which gives a lot of added value.
There is special emphasis on World War II and the relocation of people of Japanese ancestry.
There is special emphasis on World War II and the relocation of people of Japanese ancestry.
Written 29 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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