Learn how Oakland history was made - brick by brick, one person at a time - at Back to the Rancho, a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. 

The event is open to the public and free to Fruitvale residents and children under 10.  This includes all outdoor activities; tours of the historic house are $5 to the general public.

The Rancho’s activities will focus on Mexican, Native American and Spanish contributions and show how history was made by those who did the heavy lifting, not only wealthy land owners.

Ben Glickstein, who manages volunteer programs and outreach, said this hands on approach promotes both a historical healing and the Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park mission that every human being makes history.

Activities include:

• Adobe brick making
• Grinding corn to cook and eat tortillas
• Candle dipping
• Playing Ohlone games such as tekersia, a game used to teach children about hunting, and trawlik, an Ohlone game of good fortune
• Playing Ohlone music with clapper sticks
• Tours of the interactive, multi-sensory Peralta House Museum
• And five more hands-on crafts and activities!

The Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park is the nonprofit organization that maintains and runs the daily business of the Peralta Ranch and park. Glickstein explained the ranch is historically significant because it’s where the first nonnative people settled, north of Fremont and became the birth of Oakland.

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park is located at 2465 34th Ave. (near Coolidge Ave and Hyde, in the Fruitvale Neighborhood). For more information call (510) 532-9142 or visit www.peraltahacienda.org.