History is a dynamic and ongoing conversation between the past and the present. The Los Gatos History Project adds to this conversation as we delve into our collection to find untold stories of the people and places that make up our town. While we continue to appreciate the well-known and influential contributors, we also wish to uncover the stories of those who contributed in quieter ways. In partnership with our community, we will add to our knowledge of this "gem of the foothills."
The NUMU history collection can teach us about people and their interactions with the world around them. Our varied assortment of artifacts and belongings includes the commonplace and the extraordinary. Each piece tells a story of the conditions, obstacles, and opportunities faced by a diverse array of people who contributed to our town. These are products from an earlier time and technology, reflecting values or customs that may be different from what we recognize today.
At first glance an object might make us think about the person to whom it belonged. If we look more closely, we can begin to ask questions: Who made the item? Who used it? What was its purpose? There is always more to learn. In service to our greater community we ask such questions to bring out the stories of the before, the between, and the beyond of this place.
Do you have any information about Los Gatos history that you would like to share? Is there anything you would like to learn about Los Gatos?
For Further Reading:
Thinking About History by Sarah Maza, The University of Chicago Press, 2017.
