In 1963, concerned about the rapid development in the Amador-Livermore Valley, local residents organized to preserve the regional history of the area. The Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society was founded on April 18, 1963 and began its decades long effort to protect, preserve, and interpret the history of the valley. The Amador-Livermore Valley is located approximately 35 miles east of San Francisco and includes the towns of Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore.

In 1970 the ALVHS proudly gained its first building located at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in the old Administration Building. The ALVHS quickly took possession of the old building and established the first museum in the area especially devoted to local history. Finally the ALVHS had a building in which they could preserve and display their many artifacts.

In 1984 the City of Pleasanton offered the vacant building at 603 Main Street to the ALVHS. This building, built in 1914 by funds donated by the Pleasanton’s Women’s Improvement Club, once housed the old Town Hall, the Police Department, and the first free library in the city of Pleasanton. It was the perfect setting for an organization dedicated to preservation of the region’s history.

Today the ALVHS continues its efforts to expand its mission and growth. Wishing to create an identity associated with its historic location, the society changed the name of the museum to the Museum On Main. In August 2004, after decades of significant volunteer support and the memorable efforts of several half time directors, the Board of Directors decided to hire its first full-time paid Executive Director while also developing a part-time position specifically focused on education. A position for a part-time curator was added in 2005.

The ALVHS is highly dependent on community support and derives its income from a variety of sources including membership dues, admission revenues, bookstore sales, special fundraising events, private personal and corporate donations, and reproduction fees. The Museum On Main offers rotating exhibits, regularly scheduled lectures, in-house school presentations, and themed events. In 2004 the museum hosted approximately 15, 000 people, including over 2000 school children. Numerous other community groups toured the facility or used its space for meetings and events.

Goals for the Museum On Main and the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society are extensive: increased cooperation with other educational and historical organizations, better-developed educational programs, improved curatorial efforts, and greater outreach to community groups. The Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society continues to expand its place in the community and to develop meaningful programs that help residents and guests interpret their past.