Tomorrow, Oakland Tours Program and Oakland Urban Paths are co-sponsoring a talk about the city's five historic house museums.
The discussion, presented by Annalee Allen (OTP) and Gene Anderson (OUP) will focus on the lives and legacies of five prominent families and the homes they left behind. Allen and Anderson gave Hoodline a preview of their talk, which will focus on the late 1800s and early 20th century.
Built by Oakland's 13th mayor, Samuel Merritt, Camron-Stanford House opened to the public in May 1978. Following acquisition of the home by the City of Oakland in the early 20th century, it was a public museum for decades.
The Cohen-Bray House has been in the National Register of Historic Places and an Oakland city landmark since 1976. This house has a romantic history; Allen said she plans to tell the story of two prominent families from East Oakland who came together to build a home and a marriage.
Interestingly, their descendants still own and preserve its heritage with the public through tours of the restored home and Oak Tree Farms, an orchard and grove planted in the 1870s.
The Pardee Home and water tower is a staple of Oakland's Preservation Park Historic District, not far from downtown. George Pardee was a doctor and politician who became California's first governor post-statehood.
Allen plans to tell the story of three generations, starting with Enoch Pardee and the Gold Rush, and leading up to the 1980s.
There is an opportunity to learn about the Peralta House, which has been restored to its original condition in Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. Allen said she'll explore the arrival of Spanish andMexican settlers in Alta California (i.e. the Bay Area) in the 1800s and how events changed their fortune. The house is now owned by the City of Oakland.
Dunsmuir-Hellman Historic Estate has a rich history and a beautiful story of star-crossed lovers. Purchased as a wedding gift by Alexander Dunsmuir for his bride Josephine in 1899, Dunsmuir fell ill and died on their honeymoon. The widow returned to her Oakland estate, only to pass away in 1901.
The estate was purchased by the City of Oakland in the early 1960s with the intent of using the land and mansion as a conference center.
When asked which one is her favorite, Allen said she likes them all "for different reasons."
Tomorrow's talk will be held at the Vista Room Lakeside Garden Center (666 Bellevue) in Lakeside Park from 4 to 6pm, $20 donation required.
