Museum of the San Ramon Valley

Great little local museum in an historic building. Different rotating exhibits. Today we saw National Parks exhibit

This is a cute little museum. We came here specifically for the train exhibit, which is only on display for a few weeks in the summer. The train exhibit was really impressive. There's the main display, with several trains continuously running. The details were incredible. There's also a small table with wooden train tracks and little train cars for young kids to play with. Then there's a smaller running train display with several motorized scenes, like log cutting and a moving crane. Our little guy (2 years old) didn't want to leave. And of course, there's a small gift shop you pass through upon entering and leaving. Overall, lots of fun for little kids. The place is pretty small though, so it does get a little cramped on weekends.

Very quaint, hometown history displays. Free & perfect for all ages of kids. There is a working model train layout along with the history of the local iron horse. Supported by the varied & not-your-ordinary gifts in the shoppe.Definitely recommended.

Fun history of San Ramon Valley:  https://youtu.be/8zRlc9-06KII've seen this Museum on several occasions, but decided to give it a good visit today. I'm glad I did. Currently they are running an exhibit on the 1960s. There's quite a few material on hand, covering things like fashion, politics, and other important events. Several of the docents were on hand and we're really helpful when describing the various exhibits. Of course, the exhibits change over time. I believe the next exhibit will be the model train Railway.In the olden days the customers did their business downstairs, and the stationmaster lived upstairs. I didn't check, but I'm pretty sure no one is living up there today.Also, don't miss the very cute Caboose at the rear outside of the museum. PS it's also where the restrooms are.Definitely a good place to visit, and very inexpensive as well. Adults are only $5 if you can believe it.

Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located in the heart of downtown Danville, directly across the street from Pizza Antica and Danville Brewing Co. If not for the wonderful review posted by fellow East Bay Elite Jennifer L., I would have missed out on the "Chinese on the Railroad" exhibit, which ended yesterday.This museum was built on the site of the old Danville Southern Pacific Train Depot. Although small in size, the collections and exhibits all reflect San Ramon Valley's rich history and heritage. Often times, you will find decedents of the original settlers here sharing their stories.Admission is just $5 per person, with discounts available for seniors, children, and students. There is a small gift shop upon entering the museum. The young staff here is very friendly and helpful.My brother and I came here yesterday specifically for the aforementioned exhibit. After watching the documentary "The Chinese Exclusion Act" on PBS a couple weeks ago, we were eager to learn more about the unfair treatment and hardship Chinese faced back in the 1800s. I don't know about now, but when I was in high school, this particular topic was covered in just three paragraphs in my history book, which was woefully inadequate.The exhibit had two parts - one was the showing of "The Chinese Exclusion Act" and the other was the exhibition of artifacts from that era. I rewatched parts of the said documentary and actually picked up more information, such as the Anti-Coolie Act of 1862 (unfair taxation against Chinese laborers), the Page Act of 1875 (anti-Asian immigration law), and the Chinese massacre of 1871 in Los Angeles (the worst mass lynching in US history). There were several common threads to all these events: political rhetoric, claims of "job protection" by politicians, and the ignorance of the public. Those are certainly some parallels we see in today's world.The other part of the exhibit had many artifacts and pictures from that era. Most, if not all, were borrowed from various institutions and collectors. They gave me a glimpse of how Chinese workers live in that era. During my visit, I ran into an old PD colleague of mine. It was great to see him. Also, I met a lady by the name of Sandy, a decedent of one of the early settler families. She told me a lot about her family's history in the San Ramon Valley and that Chinese workers had actually helped build her family ranch in the 1800s.I also got a chance to check out pictures and artifacts of San Ramon Valley. It was great to learn more about the Tri-Valley area.Hopefully my review and pictures will give you a glimpse of this bygone but not forgotten era. Just remember, history tends to repeat itself. It is up to all of us to make sure we stay informed, filter the rhetoric, and make sound decisions and judgments. THIS is how we can make America great again.BONUS MATERIAL:- Museum hours: T-F 1-4 pm, Sat 10 am - 1 pm, Sun 12-3 pm.- Future exhibits: 6/23 - 8/26 "Model Trains", 9/4 - 11/11 "California Indians - The First People", 11/20 - 12/30 "Christmas Memories".

Came here for the Chinese on the Railroad exhibit. Yes, it is a small museum with small hours, but this is also reflected in the small admission price. The railroad exhibit was essentially borrowed artifacts from Stanford University and a few local museums and private parties. However, I had done some prior reading/research on the Iron Road and it enhanced what I saw on the exhibit. Meanwhile, the walls of the room are lined with history and development of the San Ramon Valley. This is a must-do for Tri-Valley residents. Where else can you learn about the diets of the Chinese workers, reflect on the countless who gave their lives to build our transportation system, and how Hemme Avenue in Alamo got its name, all in one? Great local museum, I just wish it had better hours.

Do businesses in Bishop Ranch know that Bishop Ranch was once the largest pear grower in the WORLD? Lots of historical facts here at this Museum. It used to be the Danville train station and was lovingly restored by volunteers. The Museum hosts events for local schools like the "One Room Schoolhouse" experience and Indian Life at the Museum. Exhibits change through the year. Check it out at museumsrv.org.

Fabulous small history museum in the heart of Downtown Danville. I stopped here after doing a tour of the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site because this is the meeting point for the shuttle provided. It's $5.00 to get in, and there are some historic artifacts and useful information to check out inside what was once a train depot. Even the wooden floor of the museum is original. There are also some rotating exhibits, and the volunteer staff will tell you all about it. Great museum to explore overall.

Several special exhibits year round with one coming at Christmas. Not to be missed!

We met here this morning for a tour of Tao House. The building looks to have been originally a railroad depot. Probably it was. After all, the street is called Railroad Avenue. Ordinarily the museum isn't open until 1:00 and we were to meet the bus at 10:00, so evidently it was open early to accommodate us. We didn't go through the museum itself, but we did walk through the gift shop, where we admired a large, beautiful quilt commemorating Sully's miraculous landing of the plane in the Hudson. This is Sully country. The other very cool thing is that the bathrooms are in an old railroad car that has been pulled up to a worn wooden platform at the back of the building. There are unisex bathrooms at either end of the car and as you walk in there are mannequins behind glass in old railroad costumes, posed at desks performing everyday tasks. I walked into the bathroom singing to myself, "Passengers will pleased refrain from passing water while the train is standing in the station, I love you". And there on the bathroom wall was a faded yellow stenciled sign advising against flushing the toilet while passing over or stopping on streets, etc. Fabulously cool.