In its first location, a 7000-square-foot rented space at 275 Alma Street in Palo Alto, the Museum was able to show a large part of its collection. Newly hired Executive Director Beverly Nelson recruited and organized the staff and volunteers and initiated an aggressive public relations campaign. A pattern combining permanent and special themed exhibits was set and all went well until the lease expired on the building in 1995.

This was a turning point for the museum. Despite the Museum's success with the public, the original private funding for the museum through the Livermore Trust was dwindling. Under the volunteer directorship of J. Robert Beck, a retired Kodak executive who had replaced Nelson in 1993, a decision was made to move to temporary quarters in a leased property on El Camino Real while the museum completed preparations for a permanent site. Meanwhile, the Museum was being reorganized as a private non-profit corporation.

Several months before, in November 1994, the City of Palo Alto awarded the Museum of American Heritage the option to renovate and occupy the historic Dr. Thomas Williams home at 351 Homer Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. Competition for the property, which had been donated to the City by Dr. Williams' last surviving daughter, Rhona Williams, in 1989, had been stiff. The Museum was chosen over six other worthy applicants on the basis of its performance and the quality of its public services.

With the Williams house acquired as a new home, the board of directors authorized construction of an education center on the rear of the property. The Frank Livermore Learning Center was formally dedicated in 2000, and now provides a venue for classes, workshops, lectures, meetings and other events. The multi-purpose facility is adjacent to the historic garden of the Williams house. In 2001, the Center's capabilities were further augmented by the installation of broadband Internet access capability.