Our motto, "Help save yesterday for tomorrow" expresses our goal. Beyond that we will remain an information source for those who are interested in the history of Livermore or those searching for family background. Someone said, "Life must be lived by looking forward, but can only be understood by looking backward."

The catalyst in the formation of the Livermore Heritage Guild was the scheduled demolition of the Southern Pacific depot in mid-1973. In this same time frame, the old police/fire department building was threatened. A group of local citizens realized that there were a lot of historically valuable buildings and sites that were going to disappear in the name of progress and no one was organized to preserve and record Livermore's past. Thus began the Livermore Heritage Guild.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• The Heritage Guild did save the depot, and the police/fire building was sold and still stands.
• The Guild initiated having the Buckley Estate (Ravenswood) and the Carnegie Building declared as historical sites and the D.J. Murphy house added to the National Register.
• The Guild actively participated in the Livermore Bicentennial celebration.
• The Guild has had an entry in the Rodeo Parade since 1975.
• Board member Gary Drummond organized a walking tour of historical buildings and homes.
• The Guild began collecting and micro-filming old Livermore Echo newspapers beginning with the 1887 issues.
• The Guild furnished copies of these micro-films to the Public Library.
• Board member Barbara Bunshah has created a cross index for these newspapers so that virtually any news item can be located.
• The Guild assisted St. Michael's church with their bicentennial book.
• The Guild secured old photo collections from newspapers, local photographers and families.
• The Guild has many publications on various aspects of local and area history.
• The Guild's archives contain many old maps, tax records, business directories, etc.
• The Guild has saved three early Livermore fire engines from extinction.

HISTORY CENTER

The Livermore Heritage Guild maintains a History Center in the Carnegie Building at 4th and K streets in Livermore. The Center is open on Wednesday through Sunday:

SEP - MAY 11:30 - 4:00

JUN - AUG 10:30 - 3:00

A docent is always in attendance to assist visitors.

LINCOLN HIGHWAY (DUARTE) GARAGE

In 1976 the Livermore Heritage Guild assumed responsibility for the Duarte Garage and cottage. The Garage was established as a way station on the Lincoln Highway in 1915. The Guild is restoring the garage and using it for special events. Eventually it will be used as a museum.

HISTORYMOBILE

The Historymobile, housed in a converted mobile home, visits Livermore's elementary schools each Spring. Typically 900 to 1000 students tour the vehicle each year. The Historymobile is a regular at the Harvest celebration at a local winery and at occasional Red Flower Sundays in downtown Livermore.

AUCTION

As a fund raising event, each year the Guild holds a sphagetti dinner and auction of antiques donated to it for this purpose. The event is held in the Lincoln Highway Garage on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

NEWSLETTER

The Guild mails approximately 200 monthly newsletters featuring Guild news, special events, and an article researched by a member or an excerpt from an old newspaper or document.

MEETINGS

The Guild meets upstairs in the Carnegie Building the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM. The exceptions are the December meeting which is held at a member's home, and the Annual General Meeting in September featuring a program of interest to the general public. The public is welcome at any Guild meeting.