2026-2027 Program Overview

Discover the secrets hidden within our public library’s collections! Join us for an illuminating session that demystifies the library’s vast collections of materials, resources and tools that can aid even the amateur genealogist researching her roots.

In commemoration of S.F.’s first European settlement in 1776, Historian Evelyn Rose (Chair, LPDO-SF Historic Preservation Committee) will explore highlights of the Anza Expedition and the El Camino Real in San Francisco. The main travel corridors between San Diego and Sonoma are intermittently adorned with mission bells, said to mark the route of the El Camino Real, or the King’s Road. Two bells are located in San Francisco, marking the terminus of the route at the time of the Anza Expedition in 1776.

They were little known for more than 35 years yet were crucial to the WWII efforts - a civilian women pilots’ organization founded by famous aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran. Moffett Field Historical Society volunteer Rita Lucas, daughter of a WASP (and DAR Gaspar de Portola chapter member) will share personal stories detailing the courage of the pioneers who broke barriers in aerospace and military service - women who ferried aircraft across the U.S., flew military planes, flew targets and tracking missions, and tested aircraft to free up male pilots for combat during the war.

Preserving your family’s history is a gift that will continue to be passed down for generations. California Genealogy Society Genealogist Grant Din will teach the core methodologies of gathering, preserving, and sharing stories. We’ll get instructions on how to conduct oral history interviews and preserve personal narratives. The program includes the best ethical practices and recording techniques.

Historian, Genealogist, and DAR El Toyon Chapter Member Sheri Fenley will explore the ceremony, food and fashion of some past notable weddings from 1800 to the present. Background stories, delightful tales and little-known facts accompany her presentation, which includes Alice Roosevelt’s 1906 soiree, the social event of that year.

For Women’s History month, join garden historian and author Judith Taylor for a fresh perspective on garden history and an illuminating talk on the often-overlooked role of women in shaping gardens and landscapes over the past two centuries. In her engaging presentation, Judith will explore the wide-ranging contributions of women in horticulture, landscape design and plant breeding while uncovering stories that have largely been ignored or erased.

The aviation museum showcases its role in aviation, space and defense through exhibits of aircraft and displays that range from electronic equipment to china and silver service. The museum includes sections dedicated to the brave women in the service and the critical role they have played in history and features period photos, authentic artifacts and uniforms. On-site parking, $10 admission fee.