The Hattie Weber Museum features exhibits depicting the history and heritage of Davis, California, and the surrounding area.
445 C Street (northeast corner of Central Park), Davis, CA 95616-4102. Phone: 530-758-5637, e-mail: hattieweber@yahoo.com
Hours: Wednesday & Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM, Admission free, donations welcome.

old photos

“Davis Transformation”

The latest book and images provided by John Lofland, Davis resident and retired UC Davis Sociology professor, describe the transformative amount of growth and the quality of change from 1960 to the present. Within four decades our modest college town became the setting for a world-class university with distinctive environmentalist values.

For many viewers it will be a trip down memory lane. For others it will be a chance to see what Bob Dunning is talking about.

The images were gathered after great effort from 30+ places or people, with many of the contributions coming from the usual archival sources (UCD, the County Archives, museums. the City, the school district). However, many of the best photographs were solicited from individuals that Lofland suspected to have recorded unusual subjects. Careful enhancement by the author makes formerly faded slides and wrinkled prints strike the eye forcefully.  

Putah Creek Revisited

This is a reprise of one of the Museum's first Director's, Phyllis Haig, exhibits. Through photographs, maps, drawings and artifacts, it shows the importance of Putah Creek to residents of the area, beginning with the Patwin native America. Included are particularly charming photographs of picnickers of an early era and scenic views of the Creek.  

Dressing up in the 1920s

The affluence of the 1920s is reflected in this exhibit which features evening and wedding dresses and furs of the era. The items belonged to Sylvia Charnow and Violet Gordon and were donated to the Museum by their daughters. The dresses feature elaborate designs and opulent trims. Elaborate beaded jewelry is also displayed. The fox fur wrap, complete with the animal heads and paws, is especially fascinating to children.

Annex Project Update: Back to the Drawing Board

We have been working on this for almost five years. As of October 2015, we had raised and delivered our share of the funds the City of Davis estimated were needed to renovate and re-purpose the historic 1937 WPA restrooms into a Museum annex for storage and projects. The total estimate at the time was $65,000. However, when three construction bids came in in May, the lowest acceptable one was almost $88,000! This is more than 100 times the original $850 construction cost. At a recent meeting with City staff, we decided to reject all the May bids and to revise the scope of the project to save costs. Architect Ty Smally is now revising the plans. The Museum will seek additional funding and the City will be asked to increase its contribution in light of increased costs since the project was approved in 2013. New requests for bids will be issued in the fall when it is hoped contractors will be more available for winter work. Fingers crossed! Thanks to all who contributed to the Museum during the Big Day of Giving in May. We will receive almost $700 which we will use to augment funding for the Annex Project.

Operated by the Yolo County Historical Society for the City of Davis
Webms: Barbara Sommer

Thanks to John Chiles, John Movius, Steve McMahon, Yolo County Historical Society, the Davis Virtual Market for early assistance; and the Davis Community Network for hosting this web site.