Dolly with packing crates, c. 1920.

The History Department collections originated with a predecessor institution, the Oakland Public Museum opening in 1910. Founding curator Charles P. Wilcomb was a pioneer cultural historian and field ethnographer. Like contemporary A.L. Kroeber at nearby University of California—Berkeley, Wilcomb was concerned with documenting the roots of peoples inhabiting California—especially California's Native peoples. He was also interested in our Yankee immigrants. As a result of his efforts and those of his successors, the History Department collections include material from cultures beyond the political boundaries of California at Statehood (1850). In more recent years the History Department has been recognized nationally for its efforts to collect and interpret twentieth century history.

Highlights of the Oakland Museum of California History holdings include extensive collections of historical photographs, Native American, Asian and Pacific ethnographic artifacts, costumes and textiles, popular culture objects, and documents representative of California's diverse communities, industries, technologies, and lifestyles.