On Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this last weekend was my husband's 50th high school class reunion. We were married one month after he graduated from high school in Santa Clara, California. On Sunday the reunion committee held a Bar-Be-Que at the Harris-Lass Historic Museum. As everyone knows the town of Santa Clara is in the heart of Silicon Valley. It was such a joy to step back in time and visit the last farm site in the city of Santa Clara.
The house is named for the two families who owned and lived on the property for 125 years. The museum consists of the house, a classic California barn, summer kitchen, tank house and landscaped gardens.
The house was built in 1865 in the Italianate style-balanced and symmetrical. In the 1890's it was extensively enlarged and remodeled, changing the symmetry of the original design. It is fully furnished, most of the furniture and contents having belonged to the Lass family
The City of Santa Clara bought the property in 1987 and after extensive restoration, it opened to the public in 1991. Although owned by the City, the site is operated by the Historic Preservation Society of Santa Clara, a non-profit public benefit corporation, and staffed entirely by volunteers.
The Tank House was moved from another location and is now the gift shop for the museum.
Farm Equipment is displayed in the front of the house and gardens with roses, perennials and trees create a beautifully landscaped property.
The property also has a beautiful setting for weddings.
I had such a great time photographing all the beautiful buildings and gardens.
Tomorrow I will continue with Part II of the Harris-Lass House
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xoxo
Betty
