Shaped by Water: Past, Present and Future

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haped by Water: Past, Present & Future is a traveling exhibition created by the Los Altos History Museum in 2011. The History Museum of Los Gatos will host the exhibition from August 1st through December 31st, 2012.

“Shaped by Water – Past, Present & Future” inspires a deep connection to this precious
and essential resource through indoor and outdoor exhibits that incorporate artifacts,
stories, photographs, maps and artwork by San Francisco Bay Area–based artists. The media exhibition Water, Water Everywhere: Paean to a Vanishing Resource, a film exploration of water issues, will also be featured throughout the exhibition.

The story of water in this region is told from a historical perspective beginning with the
indigenous tribal people up to modern day through a comprehensive and interactive
exhibition experience. It underscores how each period in our local history has been
characterized by a changing relationship between humans and water. For example, the
tribal people had an intimate relationship to water and moved around in response to the
wet and dry seasons. This historical period is showcased in a native landscape and shelter
installation that documents how water supported their life needs while they lived near
creeks and the bay. A special sound station will feature three recorded tribal stories about
water.