San Mateo County Celebrates 169th Anniversary By Unveiling New Building

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — The County of San Mateo will turn 169 with a free event full of activities and the unveiling of a new building May 15 in Redwood City.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. at the San Mateo County History Museum where visitors can watch a program featuring historical reenactments and live music. A community procession will go to 500 County Center, for an official dedication and unveiling of Redwood City’s newest building.

The building opened in April 2024, but this will be the official opening ceremony. It contains over 600 county employees and includes offices for county executives, the board of supervisors, the district attorney's office, human services agencies, human resources and the county attorney's office.

At 6 p.m., there will be a short film about the building and an open house, including activities for kids to explore the county’s history, featuring music from DJ John Beaver.

“We're welcoming the entire community to come and take pride in where they live, celebrate the past and make a toast to the future,” said Bill Silverfarb, a legislative aid for Supervisor President David Canepa.

Free parking is available at the San Mateo County jury parking garage but make sure to RSVP by emailing brmurdock@smcgov.org or call 650-363-4572.

San Mateo County was officially founded on May 12, 1856.

The San Mateo County History Museum features exhibits of Ohlone Indians, Spanish explorers, ranchos, pioneer lodging, agriculture, dairy farms, whaling and the Victorian era. It also features the largest stained glass dome in a public building on the west coast, according to its website.