Benicia Historical Society upcoming events

CANCELLED - Lingering Spirits of First Street Walk (November 06, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Due to scheduling and availability issues, we have had to cancel this event. We thank the Capitol Speaker Toastmasters Club for their continued partnership and support.

Board of Directors Meeting (November 16, 2026)

Tue, 17 Nov 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Holiday Historic Home Tour (December 10, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 02:00:00 GMT

We're back with another amazing home tour this year. See six beautiful historic homes on one incredible holiday night. This year, three of the homes are downtown and three of the homes are in the Arsenal. We'll be sharing photos of the homes as we get closer!

The Home Tour is the Society’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support our free public programming and our ongoing work to preserve, share, and celebrate Benicia’s history.

Click "Register" on the left to purchase tickets! Members will need to login into their accounts to access the member pricing. (Forgot your password? Click here to reset it.)

Please consider becoming a member today! Join here. Members receive $5 off of each ticket they purchase. They also receive $5 off of our 2027 Historic Benicia Coloring Book Calendar, access to our Holiday Party & Annual Members Meeting on 12/13, and more.

Questions or issues? Email beniciahistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call us at (707) 749-0077. We are entirely volunteer run so it may take us a minute but we will get back to you.

If you prefer to purchase in person, you will also be able to register in person at Benicia Main Street (90 First Street) in December. Please note member pricing is only available online through our website.

We will continue to update this page with more details so please check back for the most update to date information! We will also email registrants with all the final information prior to the event.

Holiday Party & Annual Members Meeting (December 13, 2026)

Mon, 14 Dec 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Join us from 6pm - 8pm on Sunday, December 13th for a free evening of merriment, food and drink for our Members. The Society will be hosting a raffle and silent auction as well as our annual Benicia trivia contest!

This will also be the Society's annual general membership meeting. We will be holding board elections and discussing the Society's plans for 2027.

P.S. This is a Members only event, if your membership has lapsed or is about to expire, please consider renewing today. We will also be accepting dues (and new member sign ups!) at the door. You can login to your member profile to check your membership status or email us at beniciahistoricalsociety@gmail.com

Benicia's Gold Coin History (January 24, 2027)

Sun, 24 Jan 2027 10:00:00 GMT

Presented by Larry Miller.

Check back for more details as we get closer to the event!

History of the Solano Train Ferry (February 21, 2027)

Sun, 21 Feb 2027 22:00:00 GMT

Presented by Allan Gandy.

Check back for more details as we get closer to the event!

Testimonios: Early California through the Eyes of Women, 1815-1848 (March 21, 2027)

Sun, 21 Mar 2027 21:00:00 GMT

Award-winning authors Rose Marie Beebe and Robert Senkewicz return with another thrilling talk! Testimonios: Early California through the Eyes of Women, 1815-1848 presents thirteen women’s firsthand accounts from the days when California was part of Spain and Mexico.

When in the early 1870s historian Hubert Howe Bancroft sent interviewers out to gather oral histories from the pre-statehood gentry of California, he did not count on one thing: the women. When the men were not available, the interviewers collected the stories of the women of the household—sometimes almost as an afterthought. These interviews were eventually archived at the University of California, Berkeley though many were all but forgotten.

The popular picture of California during the Mexican era (1821-1848) often tends to be romanticized. The place is presented as a “lotus land” arena of dancers, rodeos, gallant caballeros, and fetching señoritas. However, California was a rough frontier. Life on the missions and in the ranchos could be harsh and demanding. Having lived through the gold rush and seen their country change so drastically, these thirteen women understood the need to tell the full story of the people and the places that were their California.