Returning to Addison Avenue

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The rental property at 367 Addison Avenue in Palo Alto, CA, where Hewlett-Packard was born in 1939 played an important role in the history of Hewlett-Packard and the American tech industry. However, by the year 2000 the property long recognized as “the birthplace of Silicon Valley” was showing its age. Wanting to preserve its heritage, Hewlett-Packard bought the house and in 2005 began a massive effort to restore the buildings to the look and feel they had in the company’s early days. The images in this collection display the course of the renovation and the state of the historic site today.

Welcome to the Garage
A photo of Bill Hewlett's shed before the restoration process with a hole in the roof and obvious signs of wear throughout.
Addison Avenue: The Wear and Tear
A photo of the restoration efforts at Addison Avenue focusing on the new roofs of the shed and garage.
Addison Avenue: Picture of Progress
Photo of the restored shed where Bill Hewlett lived on the Addison Avenue property.
Addison Avenue: Restored Shed
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Addison Avenue restoration by Hewlett-Packard.
Addison Avenue Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Framed proclamation declaring December 6, 2005 Hewlett Packard Garage Commemoration Day.
Addison Avenue Garage Commemoration
Interior photo of the restored garage on Addison Avenue featuring workbench, drill press and desk.
Addison Avenue: Restored Garage
A photo of the Addison Avenue house wrapped in scaffolding during the renovation.
Addison Avenue: House Under Wraps
A worker working on the roof of Bill Hewlett's shed on Addison Avenue.
Addison Avenue Restoration: The Shed
A worker on a ladder working on the garage renovation at Addison Avenue.
Addison Avenue Restoration: The Garage
Photo of the restored Hewlett-Packard house with a plaque indicating its listing in the National Historic Register.
HP House: Restored & Recognized
Framed nail and shingle from the HP House and Garage on Addison Avenue with plaque.
Remembering Addison Avenue: Artifacts
A photo of the living room in the Packards' home at 367 Addison Avenue following the site's renovation.
New Digs at 367 Addison: Living Room
Photo of wood reclaimed from the Addison Avenue house to replace damaged boards on Hewlett's shed during the restoration.
Addison Avenue: What’s Old is New
The interior of Bill Hewlett's shed on Addison Avenue with bed, sink and table visible.
Addison Avenue: Restored Shed Interior
A worker labeling the boards of the garage with blue tape during the Addison Avenue restoration.
Addison Avenue Restoration: Details
Exterior photo of the restored garage at 367 Addison Avenue taken in 2016.
Addison Avenue Restoration: Garage
Exterior photo of the aluminum lunchbox commemorating the garage rededication.
Addison Avenue Commemorative Lunchbox
Close up of the restored garage workbench with 200A and 200B oscillators and drill press.
Addison Avenue: Restored Workbench
Photo of a decayed rafter from the Addison Avenue property before the structures were restored.
Addison Avenue: Staying Original
Underwood typewriter used to recreate Addison Avenue house's dining room, which Lucile Packard used as an office.
Addison Avenue: Company Correspondence
A worker peels away the decaying shingles from the roof of Bill Hewlett's shed on Addison Avenue.
Addison Avenue Restoration: Shingles
A photo of the Addison Avenue house kitchen after restoration.
Addison Avenue Restoration: Kitchen
The Garage Snow Globe featuring the Addison Avenue property including the garage, house & shed.
A Silicon Valley Snow Globe
Sears Craftsman drill press in the restored Hewlett-Packard garage.
Addison Avenue: Original Equipment
A heavy-duty hydraulic jack lifts a section of the Addison Avenue house during the restoration project.
Addison Avenue: House Gets a Lift
A view of the supports added while repairs were completed on the foundation of the main house on Addison Avenue.
Addison Avenue: The Foundation
Workers pouring a new concrete and rebar foundation for the Addison Avenue house.
Addison Avenue: Back on Solid Ground
Photo of the energy-efficient heater added to the Addison Avenue house during the restoration.
Addison Avenue: A Few Modern Touches
Photo of a worker painting a pattern in the Addison Avenue kitchen to replicate the wallpaper from the Packards' time there.
Addison Avenue Restoration: Interior
Close up photo of the steel substructure installed during the garage restoration on Addison Avenue.
Addison Avenue: Stronger with Steel
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard standing beside the historic marker in front of 367 Addison Avenue.
The Birthplace of Silicon Valley
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard entering the garage on Addison Avenue in 1989.
The Founders Return to Addison Avenue
Front of the garage at 367 Addison Avenue following the property's renovation.
Addison Avenue: Recognizing HP’s Roots