Museum Proposed for New Main Street Park

Could a city museum become a reality soon? Some Milpitas Historical Society members think so. And the owner of a Milpitas historic schoolhouse is ready to donate it for future park on Main Street.

Bill Hare, Laguna School owner and Grammy Award winner, said, “I am willing to donate it to the city if they are going to actually refurbish it and make it into a museum.” 

Hare, who serves as director of landmarks with the Milpitas Historical Society, said the 20-by-50-square-foot building, which has been kept on his property in the Milpitas foothills, is the longest-standing one-room schoolhouse in the county.

“I love this amazing little 146-year-old building, and know it needs to be preserved, but I don't think I can do it on my own,” he said. “I've owned it for over 10 years and have seen some deterioration over that time, but it's still quite savable in its current condition—10 years from now, I'm not so sure.”  

If the city took ownership of the schoolhouse, Hare said there would be an opportunity to apply for a county Historic Preservation Grant.  

“I just recently found out about this possible grant, though it would qualify much easier if it were off my private property and on public land. I'm not eligible for the grant as a private citizen; it's available to public agencies or 501(c)3 non-profit groups.” 

At its April 4 meeting, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Commission discussed the concepts for the city-owned parkland at the corner of Weller and Main streets (230 N. Main St.). The property was previously approved for Apton Plaza, a mixed-use housing project with some retail elements that never materialized.  

Earlier at the meeting, Milpitas Historical Society Vice President Harriett McGuire opened her comments with, “We need a museum, and I would like to have the commission recommend this to the City Council. The city should place Laguna School donated by Bill Hare in the new park. This would be ideal on Main Street as a continuation of historical sites here. Please consider our proposal.”  

Jyothi Shekar said, “I live opposite to the site and I have concerns about putting a park here that could attract vagrants and could become a youth hangout. Why not have a community garden there that's fenced off?”

Ian Beresford added, “I live near the park, and the museum could be a good idea, but I'm concerned about keeping my view of the hills.” 

The concept of a museum was embraced by all five commissioners in attendance. Having a passive park without playground equipment also received unanimous support, as did installing a meandering perimeter walking trail for use by seniors living across the street. 

The commissioners supported keeping the new park as open space with shorter trees and landscaping that doesn't block views of the hills but would not support a fenced-off community garden. A smaller flower garden was seen as more favorable. 

Adding an amphitheater and a small retail store on the site didn't garner enough support from the commissioners to recommend them. 

Also on hand were John Wong and Zack Davis from SWA Group, a landscaping firm that offered to do pro-bono work to design the new park for Milpitas. SWA has worked on local projects, including the new Milpitas City Hall. Also in attendance were Mark Robson and Jake Lavin from Robson Homes, new developers of a housing project. 

Other possible Milpitas museum sites being explored by the historical society are the Alviso Adobe near Calaveras Boulevard, past Piedmont Road in the foothills and the Higuera Adobe caretaker's house at Wessex Place and North Park Victoria Drive. 

 After hearing from staff and the public, the commission agreed to form a subcommittee, with chairwoman Rebecca Villalobos, who was absent, and vice chairman Steve Munzel. They will draft a letter for commissioners to approve at their next meeting on May 2 that would outline their recommendations to the City Council.