More than 60 years ago, Alexander “Sandy” Lindsay shared his curiosity and passion for the natural world with the people of Walnut Creek, especially children. What started as a garage full of locally collected specimens, and the occasional wild animal, slowly developed into series of informal classes and neighborhood hikes. Lindsay quickly inspired like-minded individuals to cooperate with his education efforts, and in 1955 the Diablo Junior Museum Association officially formed, including a governing board of directors. That is the story of how the Lindsay Wildlife Experience began.
As the years have passed, our truly grassroots organization has continued to grow. Initially housed in an elementary school, the museum began by offering school age children summer classes and field trips focused on the natural world. In 1962, we changed the name to the Alexander Lindsay Junior Museum to honor the legacy of its late founder, who passed at age 44.