The elegant Saint Francis Yacht Club welcomed California Heritage Council (CHC) members Thursday evening June 12 for their Annual Awards Dinner. Alameda’s Meyers House and Garden received one of the six prestigious awards, presented by John J. Hodges, Honorary CHC Board Chair. Museum Curator George Gunn, who accepted the award in front of an audience of several hundred CHC members, including a contingent of Alameda Museum people. The Alameda group included Jeannie Graham, whose 1897 Colonial Revival home received an award from the CHC last year. Steve Aced and Jim Smallman, both Meyers House Committee members, also attended.
CHC President Christopher Layton narrated a presentation with images by professional photographer Manning Magic:
“The Meyers House, erected in 1897, is an example of the Colonial Revival style, popular around the turn of the century. Designed by Henry Haight Meyers, a prominent East Bay architect, the residence served as the home of the Meyers family until 1993, and is furnished with many objects that originally belonged to them.” He went on to explain that the house is open to the public for a $5 donation for tours on the second and fourth Saturday each month, from 1 pm to 4 pm, with the last tour beginning at 3 pm.
There was considerable interest in Alameda, unfamiliar to many, as a city and historic destination. Those of us who live here don’t think of Alameda as a secret, but it seems to be one for many CHC members. A mother-daughter conversation was overheard at dinner: The mother, looking at the program, exclaimed that Alameda is one of her favorite communities. The daughter responded that she’d never been “there,” and the mother responded, “Oh, it’s now the in place.” They made plans to visit the Meyers House.
Our group gave away several copies of Alameda’s Victorians, a walking tour brochure available at the Museum. A member of the Packard Club took one, a lady who is organizing a tour for her membership. She now plans to have the tour in Alameda, with antique Packard automobiles driving the walking tour route. Perhaps a Meyers House tour can be included?
By Jim Smallman.