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Devotees of vintage buildings on the Island are invited to more than a dozen activities reveling in the preservation of our architectural heritage. So many events are scheduled that the City Council is declaring April and May "Historic Preservation Season." With more than 4,000 historic structures, Alameda has a lot to show off. From those gingerbread Victorians, those delirious Queen Annes, those comfy Craftsman homes and those sturdy bungalows to the Art Deco of the Alameda Theater and the Art Moderne left by the Navy at Alameda Point, these rich and varied styles of architecture enrich and enliven our Island.

Three organizations that thrive on history — the Historic Advisory Board, the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society (AAPS) and the Alameda Museum — have designed all manner of presentations, walks, lectures and tours to help people understand and enjoy evidence of our past.

Vintage buildings are tangible evidence of history readily available to us all. Local author Woody Minor describes Alameda as an open air museum. "Want to see history? Just walk outside and look around," he often says. You can join Woody on a walk that explores a nest of Queen Anne homes, those towered beauties of the 1890s, in a neighborhood called Leonardville because it was developed by Alameda entrepreneur and architect Joseph Leonard.

Leonard plans to drop by from the ethereal zone to help Woody lead the tour.

Another visitor from the ether will appear in April, when Queen Victoria inspects the artwork of hundreds of elementary students who are studying the history, homes and culture of Alameda during her reign, from 1837-1901. Local architect Richard Rutter is indulging his curiosity by developing "Secret Spaces and Private Places," a tour that journeys up (and down) into venues not usually open to the public.

Cyclists can participate in a combination slide show of fancy windows by glass expert Ken Matthias, a BikeAlameda tour of historic neighborhoods, and a visit to the Meyers House Museum.

Dynamic slide lectures by famous authors will include a new book, Alameda by Rail, the East Bay response to the 1906 earthquake, and some of FDR's favorites, Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures in Alameda, such as the West End Library and the Park Street Bridge. Historic Preservation Season culminates with the 10th annual AAPS Historic Preservation Awards; dramatic before and after images of those and other acclaimed restoration projects will be on display at City Hall. To help educate Alameda residents about the history in their midst, the City's Web site will include stories about our official monuments, such as City Hall, the Adelphian Club, the Old Post Office and other architectural treasures on the Island.

For additional information, pick up a flyer at the Planning and Building Department, ground floor, City Hall. Visit these websites: alameda-home-tour.org; alameda-museum.org; and alameda-preservation.org. Check the Alameda Sun, read the Park Street Business Association Newsletter, the Alameda Museum Quarterly, AAPS News and the Chamber of Commerce newsletter. Or leave a message at 748.0796 to receive a leaflet with dates and times.

Historic Preservation Season Calendar

2007 Theme: "Restoration Retrospective."

* Saturday April 7, 1-3 p.m., Kids and Queen Victoria: tenth annual art show with work from 14 elementary classes, opening reception featuring Alameda Unified School District Superintendent Ardella Dailey and Queen Victoria. Community Room, Alameda Free Library, Oak Street at Lincoln Avenue. Sponsored by Alameda Education Foundation and the Alameda Museum. Free.

* Thursday April 12, 7 p.m.: Alameda by Rail, a slide presentation and celebration for the new Arcadia book by Grant Ute and Bruce Singer, sponsored by the Alameda Museum, 4th floor, Masonic Hall. Free for members, $5 for others.

* Thursday April 26, 7 p.m.: Earthquake Exodus 1906, a slide lecture by author and historian Richard Schwartz, sponsored by the Alameda Museum, 4th floor, Masonic Hall. Free for members, $5 for others.

* Tuesday May 1, 7:30 p.m.: City Council proclaims Historic Preservation Season (because we have too many events to fit into one month). Note: See the "Restoration Retrospective" exhibit on the second floor of City Hall. Sponsored by the Historical Advisory Board. Free.

* Saturday, May 5, 11 a.m. starting place TBA, Leonardville: The Walking Tour, led by author and historian Woody Minor, based on his Heritage booklet about Alameda architect and developer Joseph Leonard, who will appear in person with his lovely wife Annie. Sponsored by the Historical Advisory Board. Free.

* Saturday, May 19, 2:30 p.m.: Secret Spaces and Private Places, an exploration of the Park Street Historic District led by Richard Rutter. Meeting place and time TBA. Limited to 50 participants. Reservations and comfortable shoes are required. Many stairs, limited handicap access.

Reserve a slot by leaving a message at 748-0796 by May 16. Sponsored by the Historical Advisory Board. Free.

* Sunday, May 20: Bike Old Alameda: Critical Glass. Begins at the Alameda Museum with a slide show by glassmaster Ken Matthias, then people take a self-guided bike tour using brochure with map and information, followed by a visit to the Meyers House and a bag lunch in the garden. Sponsored by Alameda Museum and BikeAlameda. $20, limited to 40 bikes. Reserve a spot by leaving a message at 748-0796 by May 16.

* Saturday, May 26, 1-4 p.m.: Meyers House open to the public; docents to lead tours, 2021 Alameda Avenue, admission $3.

* Thursday May 31: PWA Buildings in Alameda, a slide lecture by author and historian Gray Brechin, author of New Deal California, sponsored by the Alameda Museum, 4th floor, Masonic Hall. Free for members, $5 for others.

* Sunday June 3, 7:00 p.m.: Tenth Annual Historic Preservation Awards presented by the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society (AAPS), First Presbyterian church, Santa Clara Avenue and Chestnut Street. "Restoration Retrospec-tive" exhibit to be on display if possible. Free.