The East Bay is lucky to have several Victorian houses that are open for tours where people can take a look into the past. Around Christmas, volunteers add an extra element with holiday decorations and special events.
Meek and McConaghy
In Hayward, Meek Mansion (1869) and McConaghy House (1888) receive beautiful exterior lights early in December. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit McConaghy House on Dec. 13, and Meek Mansion will have a pop-up gift shop on Dec. 13 and music and crafts on Dec. 20.
Guided nighttime twinkle tours of Meek Mansion on Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18 show the house in a different (twi)light. Docents will talk about Christmas traditions and Meek family history. Tickets are $25 general admission, $15 for Hayward Area Historical Society members.
Both houses will be open for self guided tours on Saturdays, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20 from 10am to 2pm with a $5 suggested donation.
Over at the Hayward Area Historical Society museum, Saturdays in December mean special craft days: with candle related crafts—Menorahs and Kinaras—on Dec. 13 and solstice crafts on Dec. 20.
Marcess Owings
Marcess Owings
Janet Barton
Shinn House
Shinn House in Fremont (1876) is decorated for Christmas and open for tours on Dec. 13 and 14, starting every half hour from 1 to 3pm.
In a press release, Alvin Minard writes about the impact the Shinns had on East Bay history. “James Shinn, a horticulturist, developed a plant nursery for the orchards that were being developed all over California and the West Coast after the Gold Rush.”
The house is set to look how it might have been in 1890, and docents will talk about the history of the Shinn family. Girl Scouts from troop 31602 and 32797, Tri-City Ecology and Shinn House Docents helped decorate the rooms.
Patterson House
Patterson House at Ardenwood is decorated not only for the holidays, but to feature the world travels of the Patterson family during the early 1900s. Fremont Cultural Arts Council members decorated the dining room to evoke India.
“The artwork displayed at Patterson House represents the rich Indian culture and heritage,” writes Arathi Satish in a press release. “It includes sarees, steel, terracotta, clay and wooden artwork that reflects everyday life.” Items include terracotta lamp holders, toys and dolls, coir sitting and sleeping mats, and an Ashoka Pillar.
Patterson House is open for Historical Tours on Dec. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, with a special Twilight Tour on Sunday, Dec. 14 with live music and refreshments.
Meek Mansion and McConaghy House
haywardareahistory.org/holidays
Shinn House
historicshinnhouse.org
Patterson House
ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood
