The Holidays 2024

The historic Shinn house in Fremont is decorated for the Christmas holidays. For two weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there will be special holiday tours. The house will be open from 1-4:00 pm on two Wednesdays - December 4 and 11 - and two weekends - December 7, 8, 14, and 15. 

James and Lucy Shinn arrived in California in 1856 by steamer via the Isthmus from Texas. For over 110 years they were “our neighbors.” The family had a big impact in the growth of California after the Gold Rush - in horticulture, journalism, history, child psychology, forestry, and the creation of early water districts, including the Alameda County Water District.

The center of the park is the “Big House,” a three-story Victorian that was finished in 1876, almost 150 years ago. It was a big step up from the tiny cottage where they lived for 20 years. Many visitors came to the Big House to visit over the years. You can, too.

This year, guest organizations have decorated a room with their choice of a special theme. The Tri-City Ecology Center chose a honey bee theme. Honey bees are not native to California and arrived in the South Bay in 1853, just a few years before the Shinn family arrived. When fruit growing became a big business for the Shinn family and in the San Francisco Bay Area, the honey bees were here to help pollinate the fruit trees. 

Bird-lovers have decorated the Bamboo Room. The Bamboo Room has charming birds painted on the walls which inspired the theme. The room overlooks the Bette Wentzel Audubon Garden that was created by the Ohlone Audubon Society chapter in 2001. The garden is now maintained by the Friends of Heirloom Flowers garden club.

The Washington Township Country Club has decorated the “modern” kitchen, updated in the 1920s. The women’s club was formed in 1897 as a political equity society. They fundraised for charities such as the Children’s Hospital. In 1904 they wrote an important history of our area which is still a favorite of historians.

We invite you to stop by for a tour of the Big House and the gardens in December. Shinn Historical Park & Arboretum is a City of Fremont park located at 1251 Peralta Boulevard. Updates can be found on our facebook page.  House and garden tours are on December 4, 7, 8, 14, and 15 from 1:00-4:00 pm. Last tour will leave around 3:30. The suggested donation is $5 adults $2.50 children (4-17). Check facebook for updates @ShinnHistoricPark or visit our website HistoricShinnHouse.org