Portraits of the Past

08/01/2026

POP has had a relatively quiet year so far, with only a few appearances. In late June, members Gayle and Janna attended the meeting regarding the threatened closing of the California Room at the Martin Luther King Jr., Library in downtown San Jose, and spoke in support of keeping the California Room and its unmatched historic resources open and available to the public.

On July 4th, members Janna and Elizabeth walked in the Rose, White & Blue Parade with the Hanchett Park Historicals, dressed in 18th century costume in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Declaration of Independence. On July 18th, various POP members assisted the staff at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, with ambiance at their annual Play Like a Miner Day, a very fun event.

August 1st was the Spirit of '45 Bay Area event at History Park, an annual favorite, with POP attending in 1940s costume to support History San Jose. Member Janna has served as a costumed tour guide at History Park during every public event this year. Now that the summer is drawing to an end, we expect that our calendar will start to fill up again. Here is our upcoming schedule so far:

September 12, 2026 -- Cars in the Park (formerly the Antique Autos event) at History Park. POP will provide ambiance in costumes dating from 1900-1955.

September 13, 2026 from 2 to 7 p.m. -- Gatsby Summer Afternoon picnic and tea dance, put on by the Art Deco Society of California at History Park. POP will attend and provide ambiance in 1920s-1930s costume. Tickets available here: https://gatsbypicnic.com/

Our autumn calendar still has plenty of room for fashion shows and ambiance appearances, so please contact us at (408) 287-2290 if you would like to hire us! Price arrangements can be made for non-profit and museum appearances. All proceeds from POP shows and appearances support the Education Department at History San Jose.

07/09/2025

POP members Janna & Elizabeth joined the Hanchett Park Living Historicals to walk in the Rose, White, & Blue Parade on July 4th, with the theme, "Valley of Heart's Delight." Janna's costume represented a prize-winning jar of jam, featuring all of the blue ribbons that she and her husband have won at the Santa Clara County Fair with their jam, vegetables, and flower arrangements over the years. Elizabeth re-created a fruit cannery worker's uniform apron and cap from the 1920s, referencing photos and original garments in History San Jose's collection, among other resources. Seen here with their friend Phil, who dressed as an orchard or cannery worker from the early to mid 1900s, with a replica of a Libby's brand fruit can on a pole; Libby's was one of the many brands of canned fruit that originated in the Santa Clara Valley of California.

07/09/2025

POP's spring events went well, and we are enjoying our activities this summer! Our fashion show at the Watermark on June 7th was very well received; the audience took a little while to warm up but was laughing at all our antics by the end of the show. Photos will be posted when I receive them. Several POP members participated in the Rose, White, & Blue parade through the Rose Garden neighborhood on July 4th again, and had a lot of fun with the theme "Valley of Heart's Delight"! The weather cooperated with comfortable 72 degree temperatures and light breezes, and the audience seemed to like seeing us. The rest of our summer calendar looks like this:

Ambiance and an informational table -- Shiny Side Up Bicycle Show at History Park on July 20th.

Fashion show and ambiance -- Spirit of '45 Event, History Park, on August 16th. Fashion Show from 5:30-6:00p.m.

Ambiance and an informational table -- Cars in the Park event, History Park, September 13th from 11-4p.m.

Fashion shows and ambiance -- Trails to Rails (1840-1920) event, Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum, October 25th.

Remember, we are always open to add appearances or fashion shows to our schedule; please contact us if you are interested.

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04/11/2025

POP is gearing up for our Spring and Summer events! The Fammatre School event was a lot of fun, and the POP history table and activities were well received by the students and staff. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like us to add to your event!

The Portraits of the Past Spring and Summer calendar looks like this:
April 12 -- ambiance at the Eggstravaganza event at History San Jose's History Park.

April 26 -- ambiance at the Printer's Fair at History Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 27 -- attending and ambiance at the Spring Tea at History Park. See the History San Jose website for tickets.

April 27 -- some POP members are planning to attend the Croquet, Co****le and Cocktails event at the Hayes Mansion, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Check the Hayes Mansion website for more information.

May 3 -- ambiance at the “Touch a Truck” event at History Park.

June 25 -- our annual get-together at the Great Salad Pot Luck lunch and annual meeting. Location TBA.

July 4 -- walking in the Rose, White & Blue Parade through the Rose Garden neighborhood of San Jose.

August 16 -- ambiance at the Spirit of ’45 event at History Park.

September 13 -- ambiance at the Cars in the Park event at History Park.

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02/21/2025

POP members have enjoyed our winter shows so far and are looking forward to the next few months as our spring schedule fills up. On January 30th we did something new: we brought a customized educational show to a local elementary school, which went well! Here is the upcoming calendar of events:

March 15th -- Multicultural event at Fammatre School. POP will staff an informational table to teach about the Valley of Heart's Delight time period in San Jose's history.

March 22nd -- Women's Heritage Day Festival at History San Jose. Details TBA. POP will provide ambiance and assist with activities.

April 12th -- Eggstravaganza event at History San Jose. Details TBA. POP will provide ambiance and hand out Easter eggs.

April 27th -- Spring Tea at History San Jose; theme: "Around the World in San Jose." POP will provide ambiance.

We still have some space in our schedule for spring shows, and are also starting to schedule into the summer, so please give us a call if you would like us to add to your event!

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11/19/2024

Portraits of the Past has enjoyed getting back into performing more frequently after the pandemic! POP hosted a table and a fashion display at History Park for the Cars in the Park event in September. Then in October, we provided ambiance for History San Jose's Valley of Heart's Delight fundraiser, put on a fashion show for Los Gatos Terraces, and assisted with the tours and activities at the Halloween Haunt event at History Park. In early November, we provided ambiance and gave tours at the Thomas and Carmel Fallon House in San Pedro Square for the San Jose Roots event.

We are continuing our activities through the winter, so if you want to join us, or have us enhance your event, there is still plenty of room on our calendar! POP members are responsible for putting up the Christmas and holiday decorations at History Park, so please come down for an event, or on any old weekend, and see them!

Upcoming shows include:

Fashion show -- 10 a.m. on December 7th at the Cinnabar Hills Country Club

Ambiance -- Christmas in the Park in December at History Park

Fashion show -- TBA January 25, 2025 for Watermark San Jose

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11/19/2024

Portraits of the Past joins the South Bay Ladies' Tea Guild and the Greater Bay Area Costumers' Guild to walk in the Rose, White & Blue Parade in San Jose on July 4th every year.

11/19/2024

Portraits of the Past cast members can appear at your event in costume to provide historic ambiance.