Society Meetings

Quarterly Meetings:

The Burlingame Historical Society hosts quarterly public meetings when speakers and locals alike share insights into Burlingame and Hillsborough’s past. The meetings are free and open to everyone and are a lively forum for learning and appreciating Burlingame and Hillsborough’s history.

Here are some examples of topics covered in our meetings the past few years.

In 2009, Sally Foster, who now occupies the Julia Morgan designed home on Chapin Lane, gave a presentation on the noted architect entitled "Castles and Craftmen" and the construction of the Hearst Castle at San Simeon.

At the February, 2008, meeting Joanne Garrison introduced her new book on Burlingame, Burlingame Centennial: 1908-2008, and gave an excellent discussion of the creative process that produced it. Then in February photographer Norton Perl  gave us a glimpse of Burlingame and its neighbors in the ‘40s, ’50s and ’60s as seen through the lens of a professional photographer.

In 2006, the Burlingame Historical Society quarterly meetings explored McKinley School, Kohl Mansion, The Farrell House, (commonly known as The Burlingame Garden Center), The Easton Branch of The Burlingame Library, The Woman’s Club, the former site of The Gunst Mansion in Washington Park and the movie palaces of  Burlingame..

We covered topics ranging from a slide show of renowned photographer, Gabriel Moulin’s photographs of The Easton Addition before its development, to a film presentation on the #40 trolley and the Burlingame Railway that traveled the streets of Burlingame in the early 20th century.

The January 2005 quarterly meeting was entitled Lights, Camera, Action! examined the rich history of movies houses, the movie industry and movies made in the area.

In October 2004 we had a full house for our presentation Murder at the Monument to hear how Burlingame Police solved the case of the 1986 murder in the Burlingame Avenue Train Station of ticket agent George Grant .

In May the society met at Crosby N. Gray’s Mortuary on Park Road. The meeting entitled Six Feet Under In Burlingame, examined the history of Crosby N. Gray ,one of the oldest family run businesses in Burlingame. The hundred attendees heared the tales of Kent Gaisford who grew up in the mortuary on Park Road and had the opportunity to tour the entire premises.  All society quarterly meetings are free and open to members and non-members alike.

At the meeting held in February 2004, former students, parents, teachers and historical society members  learned more about the history of McKinley School, our city’s first permanent school. That meeting was held at McKinley School and included a fascinating presentation by board vice president and current McKinley PTA president Ellen Hunter. In addtion many of the audience members shared personal memories going back to the 1920’s.

Over 80 people attended the quarterly meeting of the historical society in November 2003 in when the topic was the Burlingame / Hillsborough Seabiscuit connection. In the early 1900’s Charles Howard, automotive entrpreneur moved to San Mateo Park, and established one of his autodealerships on Howard Avenue. Charles became widely famous when he purchased and raced Seabiscuit, a gangly 4 year old race horse that capitvated the hearts of depression-era America. Charles Howard and his sons were residents of San Mateo, Burlingame and Hillsborough up until Charles’s death in 1949. This meeting traced the many connections between Burlingame area and the legendary race horse Seabiscuit. This informative session was highlighted with discussions and personal anecdotes from long-time Burlingame residents, many of who personally knew the Howard family.

In August 2003 local long-time resident Jeannie Gilmore described her adventures on the high seas when her cruise ship the Prinsendam sank off the coast of Alaska. Over 90 members and guests attended the meeting and heard how Jeannie and her mother, Neva Hall, who were passengers on this ill-fated voyage, had to abandon ship after the Prinsendam caught fire and eventually sank in the frigid Arctic Ocean. Jeannie presented her personal movie of the event that featured contemporary news casts and interviews with several of the passengers including Jeannie.

In May 2003 members and guests enjoyed a lively discussion of the History of Grocery Markets in Burlingame. Speakers included, Mark Lucchessi, long time Burlingame grocer and current manager of Mollie Stone’s Market and David Gwynn, host of Groceteria.net a web site chronicling Northern California grocery store history and architecture.

If you weren’t able to attend the meeting you can enjoy the presentation and other exhibits in our permanent on-line exhibit section.

Our quarterly meetings are open to the public and are FREE.

The meetings provide an opportunity to enjoy presentations by local experts of archival materialsl about Burlingame’s past. Of course contributions that support the society are always welcome. Plan on meeting old and new friends at the Burlingame Historical Society’s quarterly meetings.

Better yet, join our mailing list and be sure to receive timely notices by email of all the society’s activities.

Board Meetings:

The Burlingame Historical Society board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30am at the Society Archives, located in the Carriage House in Washington Park. Members of the public are welcome to observe these meetings.