Activities

July 4 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Join the Templeton Historical Museum as it celebrates Templeton’s 4th of July! Enjoy the iconic Templeton School Bus as it proudly moves along the parade route. Visit our museum for great Templetonian sale items, cold sodas/water, and a chance to peek at our town’s history. The museum will be open for visitors with hours adjusted to work for parade viewers 9 AM – 12 PM! For more Information: https://templetonmuseum.com/event/4th-of-july-celebration/

Join us at the Templeton Historical Museum on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM for the David Black Memorial Community Blood Drive, hosted in partnership with Vitalant of San Luis Obispo. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community, help save lives, and explore the rich history of Templeton. Your blood and platlet donations make a huge difference in the lives of others. As a thank you for your time, visitors will have the chance to tour the museum’s unique exhibits during our off hours. Come support a vital cause, learn about our local heritage, and be part of something big. Let’s roll up our sleeves and help those in need together! For more Information: https://templetonmuseum.com/event/blood-drive/

October 31 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Free! Mark your calendars for October 31 for a fun evening with treats for the kids at the Templeton Historical Museum! Let’s see those spooky costumes! We have lots of fun planned for adults and kids alike! For more Information: https://templetonmuseum.com/event/halloween-at-the-museum/

Saturday, November 1, 2025: Founder’s Day at the Templeton Historical Museum Society is a special celebration held to mark the arrival of the first Southern Pacific passenger train to Templeton on November 20, 1886. The day’s festivities include engaging short lectures on Templeton’s past, guided tours of the museum’s historic buildings, live demonstrations by a working blacksmith, and, weather permitting, a guided walking tour exploring Templeton’s historic structures. This event provides a wonderful opportunity to dive into the rich heritage of the area and experience history brought to life. Come and honor our town’s history with activities such as train rides, cake walks, and free food! For more Information: https://templetonmuseum.com/event/founders-day/

March 14, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the Templeton History Museum welcomes you to the Some Like It Hot blacksmithing and chili cook-off event. Drop by or stay for the day! Take in professional blacksmiths in action, discover blacksmith art, and witness the great blacksmith battle. Enjoy some incredible chili and other BBQ fare, along with the Club Car Bar trailer! Teams of blacksmith artists will compete against the clock to forge the winning sculpture. Celebrate the opening of the first exhibition of hand-forged sculptures at the museum. Outbid your friends in our silent auction featuring local treasures and artwork from the day’s event. Starting at 11:30 AM, sample the culinary entries in our associated event, the “Some like it Hot” Chili Cook-off. From 1-4:30 witness a spectacular blind forging battle. The Templeton Mercantile Cocktail Trailer will be onsite from 8am – 5pm offering handcrafted cocktails, local beer and wine, as well as delicious breakfast burritos plus pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings! For more Information and Sign-up: https://templetonmuseum.com/event/some-like-it-hot-blacksmithing-competition-art-show/

March 14, 2026 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. It’s our Some Like It Hot! – Chili Cook-off, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Templeton Historical Museum. At 11:00 AM, bring your favorite Chili to our 2nd Annual Chili-Cook Off! Have chili ready to serve in a crock-pot or warming dish (electrical outlets will be provided). Vegetarian, meat, beans, chicken, pork, whatever your pleasure is good! All cooking pots must be retrieved by contestants by the close of the event day (5:00 pm). The museum will provide all paper goods and utensils. Chili judging and a People’s Choice honor will also be ongoing. If you represent an organization, feel free to send your logo to the museum via email – templetonmuseum@gmail.com. To sign up, visit https://templetonmuseum.com/event/some-like-it-hot-chili-cook-off/