History as Education
Focusing on California and regional studies, the California History Center and Foundation present exhibits, offer classes with De Anza College, publish books and a periodical, and operate a library and archives. Special events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops are also featured.
New Installment: Witnessing History
Carolyn Wilkins-Santos, a former De Anza College dean, has been a lifelong advocate for equity. In this new installment of the Witnessing History series, she describes her family influences, her experiences as a college student protesting discrmination in the 1960s, and her later years as an educator promoting opportunities for all students.
The new installment includes excerpts from a video interview conducted by historian David Howard-Pitney, who also wrote the accompanying article.
Our Offices Are Closed to Visitors
Unfortunately, we are not able to open the California History Center offices for visitors currently, due to restrictions related to COVID-19. Thank you for understanding and please check back here for updates and future plans.Hidden Histories of Japantown
The California History Center is co-sponsor of an ambitious, augmented reality community art project in San José’s Japantown neighborhood, along with a companion exhibit at the Japanese American Museum of San José.
The project, “Hidden Histories of San José Japantown," features pieces by nine artists, installed throughout the neighborhood. It combines technology, art, history and culture to find a new way of sharing stories about the Chinese, Japanese and Filipino communities that helped shape Japantown. With the help of an easily downloaded mobile app, anyone can view the augmented reality artwork while walking around the area.
"Hidden Histories” was initiated by Tom Izu, executive director emeritus of the California History Center, and Susan Hayase, who were inspired by the work of augmented-reality artist Tamiko Thiel.
They partnered with local artists including De Anza alum Maylea Saito, as well as scholars, historians and activists to develop the project.
- Visit the Hidden Histories project website to learn more about the artwork and artists who contributed to the project.
- Visit the Japanese American Museum of San José website to learn more about the companion exhibit, entitled “Liberation Technology, Art and Community Building in Action.”
- Read more about the project in the Mercury News and MetroActive
About the California History Center
With its programs and resources, the California History Center – which has received numerous awards and honors – is an active focal point for California history studies and has been recognized as an "outstanding educational facility" by the State of California.
Emphasizing living history, the center provides students with a unique opportunity to "encounter the historic site, document, or experienced individual, and personally interpret and recreate a period in history."
Housed in the reconstructed le Petit Trianon, a national registered landmark located on the De Anza campus, the center offers credit classes, changing exhibits and a video documentation program. The magazine Californian appears 3 times a year. Students can participate in all of these activities
Additionally, the center's Stocklmeir Library hosts a growing collection of materials on California history and on almost every aspect of Santa Clara Valley's development, including student research papers, books, journals, video and audio oral histories, photographs, manuscripts, newsletters, clippings and pamphlets.
Audrey Edna Butcher Civil Liberties Education Initiative
Audrey Butcher was a local World War II-era schoolteacher who taught students that civil rights must be protected and never again violated as
they were with the internment of Japanese Americans. In Audrey's honor, her daughter,
Margaret, donated a generous gift to the CHC to create a civil liberties education
initiative.
The gift will help ensure the ongoing operation and long-term sustainability of the CHC.
Faculty Director
Executive Director Emeritus
Tom Izu Honored
The California History Center's Tom Izu has been honored by a prominent community organization for his work as a civil rights educator and advocate.
Izu is one of four honorees recognized by the Asian Americans for Community Involvement organization during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May 2020. His profile was also featured by NBC Bay Area.