What Hayward Area Historical Society does

Hayward Area Historical Society (HAHS) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN 94-1508257) founded to connect people, experiences, and stories of the Hayward area in California. It operates three physical sites: the HAHS Museum of History & Culture on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward (housing the History Gallery and HAHS Art Gallery), Meek Mansion — a 23-room Italianate mansion built in 1868 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973 — in Cherryland, and McConaghy House — a Victorian farmhouse built in 1888 — on Hesperian Boulevard. The organization maintains an archival collection spanning from the 1870s that includes over 20,000 photographs, historic newspapers, oral histories, business records, and personal papers such as Congressman Pete Stark's congressional papers (1973-2012).

HAHS generates revenue through a diversified mix of channels. Membership dues provide recurring subscription income across six tiers ($50 Individual to $500 Patron, plus a $10/month Sustaining option) with reciprocal benefits across 300+ (Time Travelers) and 1,000+ (NARM) partner museums. Monetary donations flow through one-time, monthly sustaining, planned giving, stock, and in-kind mechanisms. Transactional revenue comes from admissions ($5 suggested donation), school tours ($70/class), Discovery Kit rentals ($30/week), guided tours ($15), paranormal investigations ($75), and the Brushes & Brunch art-class fundraiser ($50, shared with Hayward Arts Council). A nationwide vehicle donation program administered through CARS adds a non-regional fundraising channel. Grants have been received from California Humanities and the California State Library.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on volunteer docents, partnerships with HARD, Hayward Public Library, Hayward Arts Council, and various cultural organizations, plus an email newsletter (Adobe Trails) and direct-to-school distribution of educational programs. Customer segments span K-12 schools (with Title I fee waivers), local community members and families, and academic researchers/historians. The technology backbone is a PastPerfect Online searchable collections database plus a Squarespace-managed website with online ticketing and store; no API, AI, or proprietary platform exists.

Name

Hayward Area Historical Society

Legal name

Hayward Area Historical Society

Website

https://haywardareahistory.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Hayward Area Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a museum, two National-Register-listed historic house museums, and an extensive regional archive serving the Hayward, California area through exhibits, K-12 educational programs, community events, and reciprocal museum memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Hayward

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($50-$500) offering benefits including free admission, newsletter subscription, and reciprocal museum benefits. Provides recurring revenue and member engagement.
2. Monetary Donations: General donations, sustaining monthly donations, planned giving, gifts of stock, and in-kind donations from supporters.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from special events including Brushes & Brunch art classes ($50), paranormal investigations ($75), and guided tours.
4. Vehicle Donation Program: Accepts vehicle donations nationwide through partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services). Proceeds support exhibitions and programs.
5. Artifact Donation Program: Collects artifacts that fit the HAHS mission to preserve Hayward area history. Does not purchase artifacts.
6. Educational Programs: School tours ($70 per class), Discovery Kit rentals ($30/week), and educational materials for classroom use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HAHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the HAHS Museum of History & Culture, two historic house museums (Meek Mansion and McConaghy House), and a public archival collections database covering Hayward area history from 1876 onward. It delivers docent-led school tours, Discovery Kit rentals, guided and self-guided tours, paranormal investigation events, rotating art and history exhibitions, and membership, donation, and grant programs to preserve and share local heritage.

Product overview

Hayward Area Historical Society operates as a nonprofit museum and historical society serving the Hayward area (including Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, and Fairview). The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs centered around preserving and sharing local history. Core offerings include the HAHS Museum of History & Culture with rotating exhibits, two historic house museums (Meek Mansion and McConaghy House), and educational programming through school tours and Discovery Kits for classroom use. The organization maintains an online collections database for public research access and conducts special events including paranormal investigations, walking tours, and art exhibitions. Additional services include membership programs with reciprocal benefits, an online store for tickets and merchandise, vehicle donation processing, and archival research services. Revenue streams include admissions, memberships, donations, and fundraising events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HAHS Museum of History & Culture The primary museum facility at 22380 Foothill Boulevard, second floor, housing the History Gallery and HAHS Art Gallery. Open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring exhibits on local Hayward area history and rotating art exhibitions.
• Meek Mansion A historic 23-room Italianate mansion built in 1868, located at 17365 Boston Road in Cherryland. Open for self-guided and guided tours on select dates, featuring Victorian-era furnishings and artifacts from the Meek family's period of residence.
• McConaghy House An 1888 Victorian farmhouse at 18701 Hesperian Boulevard, originally home to the McConaghy family. Open for self-guided tours on select Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, offering insight into middle-class family life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• School Tours Program Educational field trips for K-5th grade students at historic properties. Includes 3rd/5th Grade Tour (60-90 minutes exploring Victorian life) and Kindergarten/1st Grade Tour (60 minutes with sensory-focused activities), priced at $70 per class.
• Discovery Kits Interactive classroom learning kits covering local history topics including Ohlone people, Pre-Gold Rush California, Early Settlers, and Immigration. Each kit includes lesson plans, hands-on objects, books, DVDs, and dress-up clothes aligned with 3rd/4th grade history standards. Rental fee: $30/week.
• Guided Tours Docent-led tours of historic properties including Meek Mansion guided tours ($15 general, free for members) and Downtown Hayward Walking Tours ($15 general, free for members) exploring architecture, murals, and local landmarks.
• Paranormal Investigation Events Evening paranormal investigation experiences at Meek Mansion and McConaghy House, led by experienced investigators. Events run from 7PM to 1AM with access to non-restricted areas. Ticket price: $75. Proceeds support historic property preservation.
• Online Collections Database Public searchable database of artifacts, photographs, documents, and archival materials from the HAHS collections. Accessible at https://haywardareahistory.pastperfectonline.com/, containing only a portion of total holdings.
• Membership Program Annual membership with tiered levels: Individual ($50), Family ($80), Contributing ($100), Sponsor ($250), Patron ($500), and Sustaining ($10/month minimum). Includes free admission, newsletter subscription, museum store discounts, and reciprocal benefits with other museums.
• Vehicle Donation Program Program accepting vehicle donations (cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs) from anywhere in the United States to benefit HAHS exhibitions, school tours, and public programs. Administered through CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services). EIN: 94-1508257.
• Research and Archives Services On-site and remote research services providing access to newspapers, maps, photographs, yearbooks, scrapbooks, oral histories, and business records related to the Hayward area. Includes image reproduction services with fees.
• My Hayward Photo Contest Annual photo contest inviting Hayward residents to submit images representing their personal experience of the city. Entries displayed at HAHS Art Gallery November through February, with awards in Adult and Student categories.
• Day of the Dead Exhibition Annual exhibition featuring artwork exploring Day of the Dead traditions, held October through November at the HAHS History Gallery and Art Gallery. Open to artists for participation with submissions due September 14.
• Current Exhibits Program Rotating exhibitions on the second floor galleries including the History Gallery (featuring 100+ artifacts from HAHS collections highlighting Hayward area stories) and the HAHS Art Gallery (rotating art exhibitions from local and regional artists).
• HAHS Online Store E-commerce platform for purchasing event tickets, Discovery Kit rentals, and merchandise. Categories include Tours, Events, Paranormal Events, and Classroom Support.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hayward Arts CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint fundraising event 'Brushes and Brunch' supports both organizations. Collaborative programming including art exhibitions and cultural events at HAHS Art Gallery. Shared mission of community arts and cultural preservation.
• Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAHS responsible for restoration and operation of Meek Mansion for HARD. Joint holiday events and community programming. HARD manages Meek Estate Park surrounding Meek Mansion.
• Hayward Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting events including film screenings, lectures, and exhibitions. Library hosts pop-up exhibitions from HAHS. Partnership expands reach of both organizations' educational programming.
• California HumanitiesminorOthersFunding provided for online collections database project through California Humanities and California State Library.
• California State LibraryminorOthersFunding provided for online collections database project through California Humanities and California State Library.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProcesses vehicle donations for HAHS. Manages vehicle pickup, title transfer, and sale. Proceeds support HAHS exhibitions and programs.
• East Bay Regional Park DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides Ohlone Curriculum lesson plans for teachers, focusing on local tribal peoples from past to present.
• Eden Township Japanese American Citizens LeagueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosting origami workshops and cultural programming. Partnership supports preservation of Japanese American history in the Eden area.
• National Japanese American Historical Society (NJAHS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint workshop series 'Never Forget: A Writers Workshop for Japanese-Americans' to help Nisei record family stories and memoirs.
• Palma Ceia Baptist ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership on Black History Month programming and community health/wellness events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• California Historical Society: Statewide historical society with a broader collection and statewide membership footprint; serves as a broader incumbent whose reciprocal-network program overlaps with HAHS offerings.

Direct peers

• History San José: Regional historical society operating multiple historic sites in Silicon Valley with school programs, memberships, and special events — directly analogous operating model to HAHS.
• San Mateo County Historical Association: County-level historical association preserving local history through historic house museums, exhibits, and educational programs in the adjacent San Mateo County.
• Contra Costa County Historical Society: Adjacent East Bay county historical society preserving Contra Costa history through collections, exhibits, and education; comparable governance and funding mix.
• Oakland Museum of California: Major Bay Area museum focused on California art, history, and natural sciences; the most direct regional comparable for a California-history-focused institution serving the East Bay.
• Berkeley Historical Society: Local Berkeley historical society preserving neighborhood history through exhibits, walking tours, and an archive; strong community-engagement model similar to HAHS.
• Alameda Museum: Local historical museum in Alameda County — same county as HAHS — operating a community-supported museum model with exhibits on local history and donated artifacts.

Regional players

• Chinese Historical Society of America: San Francisco-based historical society preserving Chinese American heritage through a museum and archives; comparable community-heritage and educational mission within the broader Bay Area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HaywardAreaHist
• Facebookfacebook.com/haywardareahistory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hayward-area-historical-scty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hayward Area Historical Society