Harnessing the scarce water resources of the Santa Clara Valley has been a challenge for more than 100 years. Los Altos History Museum’s new exhibit “Drip, Dry, Flood: Orchard Water Management” showcases how orchardists have tackled this challenge historically and today. On display in the J. Gilbert Smith House Gallery June 29 – October 8, the exhibit is open Thursday – Sunday, noon – 4 p.m.

Visitors will have the opportunity to read personal stories that add a human touch to the historical narrative, explore photographs of orchards, well diggers, and early water systems, examine blueprints and photos of iconic tank houses, and peruse a 1928 catalog from an irrigation company.

Highlighted among the featured irrigation techniques are the modern drip method that will be installed in the Los Altos Heritage Orchard, and the traditional flood technique used in the past. 


Admission is free. For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org/DripDry.