1911 view from Albany Hill

The purpose of the Albany Historical Society is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge about the history of the Albany CA area. We encourage local residents to share their memories and knowledge of the past through story telling events and have begun to create a historical walking path in Albany using plaques commemorating important places and people. We hope to see you at one of our events soon.

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Drum Majorettes in the 1951 July 4th Parade on San Pablo Avenue

Albany California Historical Society Historic Plaque commemorating Albany's first public building

AHS Commemorative Plaque Program

The Albany Historical Society has donated 8 plaques to the City of Albany denoting historical places in Albany.

Click to view information on each plaque
Click to view plaques locations on an interactive map

Joey and Teresa Cortese pose in 1957

Images of America Albany

NEW! Albany – Stories from the Village by the Bay

Karen Sorensen is an Albany-based writer, local historian, and fifth-generation Californian. She has authored numerous articles about Albany history and wrote Images of America, Albany (2007). Her new book, Albany – Stories from the Village by the Bay, includes rich details about Albany’s incorporation, early dynamite factory explosions, Charles MacGregor-the “Builder of Albany,” Albany’s namesake hill, the city’s schools and historical train systems, and more. To order the book, email storiesfromalbany@gmail.com and Karen will donate a percentage of profits to the Albany Community Foundation. Visit Karen’s site for more information.

 

Images of America, Albany

Albany resident and author Karen Sorenson has joined with the Albany Historical Society to produce this intriguing look at Albany’s past. Featuring over 200 vintage images, the book draws on the extensive historical collection of the Albany Library and also includes many never-before-published historical photographs supplied by the Albany community and friends at large.

— from the book’s back cover

Click here to download an order form

Images of America Albany

Albany Historical Society Activities (from left) Centennial Plaque donated to Albany Library (Kim Denton, Deb Sica); One of AHS's historical plaques; Tony Caine wins the copy of Images of America, Albany; Dedication of historical plaque (Joan Larson); view AHS events

About the Albany Historical Society

Meetings are held the first Friday of each month downstairs at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue. Meetings will resume as soon as pandemic restrictions allow.

Albany Historical Society Board of Directors

  • Joan Larson, President
  • Marsha Skinner, Secretary
  • Rochelle Nason, Treasurer

Members at Large

  • Jackie Armstrong
  • Anthony Golden
  • Jennifer Hansen-Romero
  • Jamie Richards-Vislocky

Honoring Former Board Members

  • Doug Eaton
  • Jewel Okawachi
  • Kim Denton
  • Peggy McQuaid
  • Ruth Eaton
  • Sherry Pierce Parrish
  • Ruth Ganong
  • Liz Keiley – Roark
  • Brian Parsley
  • Jack Rosano

The Albany Historical Society is a nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) corporation. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Tax ID # 20-5139665

Download a membership form