Orinda Park School, Group Portrait, 1900. Photo courtesy of the Orinda Historical Society

The Orinda Library Gallery will showcase over twenty images of Orinda from the early 1900's as part of the exhibit New Images of Old Orinda - 1901 to 1920's sponsored by the Orinda Historical Society (OHS). The newly discovered photos of Orinda were taken between 1901 and the mid-1920's by Edward I. deLaveaga-a prominent developer and resident of the city. The granddaughters of deLaveaga found the original glass negatives on the family's estate.

"The most striking aspect of these photos is the lack of development and the beauty of the hills and surrounding area before the city was inhabited in any significant way," said Charlie Vollmar, Vice President of the OHS. There is a also a panoramic view of the hills, digitally pieced together by OHS member Teresa Long, which gives residents a full picture of Orinda's landscape in the early twentieth century, explained Vollmar.

In addition, the Society has created a mantle-like display of photographic portraits from the same timeframe. And, the exhibit also includes photographs of the original Kennedy Tunnel and construction on the first three bores of the Caldecott Tunnel. Along with these two photo collections, the OHS is also displaying artifacts from the era that are normally on display in the Society's museum.

The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, January 7th from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Members of the Orinda Historical Society, the deLaveaga family, and

Ray Mailhot, former Superintendent of the Caldecott Tunnel, will be on hand at the reception to address questions. For more information, contact the Orinda Historical society at (925) 254-1353.