The Colma Historical Museum
1500 Hillside Blvd, Colma, CA 94014
Phone: 650-757-1676
Email: cha@colmahistory.com
Open Saturdays 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Free Entry. Please check with us before visiting via email or phone.
Colma Historical Museum
The Colma Historical Museum consists of four buildings including the former Olivet Cemetery office building, the historic Colma Train Depot, the freight shed, and a reproduction Blacksmith shop. The main building comprises several themed rooms housing the museum collection as described below. You can also view a gallery of additional museum room and building photos.
The Patricia Hatfield Memorial History Room
Starting with the Ramaytush Ohlone, the History Room tells the story of groups that helped define the area known as Colma: Spanish settlers, European immigrants, post-World War II families and Filipinos. Displays also include World War II memorabilia, business and local church exhibits.
The Library
Located off of the History and Cemetery Rooms is the Library which contains a reference section for local history research, newspaper archive and memorabilia from local elementary and high schools. Some yearbooks and a large archive of school photos, some dating to the early 20th Century are available for viewing.
A 10-minute video of Colma History may be viewed here.
The Cemetery Room
View the history and see unusual items from the 16 active cemeteries located in Colma starting with the first cemetery to be established, Holy Cross in 1887, to Pet’s Rest, the final home to many beloved animals. Learn why cemeteries were evicted from San Francisco and how they came to be established in Colma. See information about famous people who now reside in Colma’s cemeteries. On permanent exhibit is a one-of-a-kind collection of Victorian hair jewelry—made so a person could remember a deceased loved one.
Fire Department and Police Department Rooms
These two areas contain the story of the Colma Police Department and Colma Volunteer Fire Department from their establishment to the modern departments they currently are. See vintage photographs and equipment.
Early Colma Home Room
What one would find in a Colma home in the early days of Colma? See items that your family may have used to cook meals, wash clothes and use around the house in days gone by. These items could be found in any home in any part of the United States.
Historic Train Depot
Built for the San Francisco & San Jose Railroad, Southern Pacific later assumed ownership. View memorabilia and vintage photographs of the various forms of transportation that were available in the area such as horse drawn wagons, trains, streetcars, and now buses and BART.
Freight Shed
Initially located near the Train Depot (and later attached to the Depot), it was used for storing and shipping the abundant agricultural produce grown in northern San Mateo County. It now contains exhibits of Colma monument companies, both past and present, stories of Colma flower shops and items related to the agricultural heritage of the area.
Blacksmith Shop
The Blacksmith was an important part of everyday life in Colma, making the made the tools for the farmers and residents of the area. In this reproduction learn how Blacksmith Shops evolved into car repair shops.
