History Park, San Jose

History Park at Kelley Park in San Jose is a unique indoor/outdoor museum that brings the early 1900s to life. Designed to resemble a small American town from that era, the park was inaugurated in 1971 and features 32 historic buildings and replicas, many of which were relocated from their original San Jose locations. The park is operated by History San José (HSJ), a nonprofit organization that evolved from the original San José Historical Museum.

The origins of the museum date back to 1945 when Clyde Arbuckle, a passionate local history enthusiast, became the honorary San José City Historian. His efforts to preserve and exhibit San Jose's history led to the creation of the State House Museum and later the Historical Museum of San José. Thanks to the advocacy of Theron Fox, the city designated 16 acres of Kelley Park for the museum in 1965, paving the way for the current History Park, which officially opened in 1971.

Visitors to the park can explore a wide range of historical structures, such as a dentist’s office complete with a foot-powered drill, a doctor’s office, a blacksmith shed, a print shop, a post office, a Bank of Italy, a firehouse, and various settlers’ homes. Some buildings house galleries or serve as headquarters for local historical societies. A standout feature is the half-scale replica of San Jose’s Electric Light Tower, erected in 1977.

During weekdays, the park is a popular educational destination, with staff-led tours for school groups. On weekends, volunteers bring the exhibits to life, and visitors can even hop on a vintage trolley that runs through the park and beneath the Light Tower.

General admission is free, except during special events, making History Park a welcoming and engaging destination for those looking to step back into early 20th-century life in the Santa Clara Valley.