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North Star House is looking for a knowledgeable volunteer to help with scheduled maintenance and minor repairs on several pieces of outdoor equipment used to care for the property. This would be a great fit for someone with experience in tractors, mowers, small engines, utility vehicles, or general mechanical repair. Equipment includes: Older Kubota diesel tractor: Approx. 25 horsepower with loader bucket, box scraper attachment, and brush hog attachment Kubota zero-turn mowe

Most of us hope to leave something good behind. Not always something loud. Not always something with our name on it. Sometimes just proof that we cared about a place, a community, or an idea enough to help it continue. That is what legacy giving is really about. At the North Star House, we think often about what lasts. The house itself has lasted through more than a century of change. It has held families, workers, artists, volunteers, celebrations, questions, and plans. It h

This Mother’s Day, the North Star House was filled with flowers, tea, conversation, and the warmth of community as guests gathered for our Mother’s Day Tea. The afternoon brought together mothers, daughters, families, friends, and supporters for a special celebration inside the historic North Star House. Guests enjoyed tea, light refreshments, and time together in a setting that made the day feel both meaningful and memorable. This event was especially exciting because it was

Rebekah Freeman, lead of the North Star House Interiors Committee, hosted a special fundraiser concert in support of the Interiors Restoration and Furnishing efforts. Rebekah shared her talent with an audience of friends, supporters, and community members, all gathered together to enjoy an evening of music while also supporting the ongoing work of the Interiors Committee. The fundraiser was a beautiful success, raising nearly $1,000 to help continue furnishing and caring for

The North Star House is looking for volunteer docents to help welcome visitors, lead tours, and share the history of this special place with our community. Docents play an important role in helping people connect with the house, its story, and the people who made it what it is today. During tours, visitors learn about the architecture, restoration work, and the lives connected to the property, including Julia Morgan, Mary Hallock Foote, Arthur De Wint Foote, and the many peop

We are excited to share that our very first Mother’s Day Tea at North Star House has officially sold out.

There has been a lot happening around North Star House lately, and sometimes the best way to share it is simply through photos. These photos offer only a small glimpse into the steady hands, donated time, and continued effort that help care for this historic gem.

North Star House is hosting an afternoon lecture with historian Mary-Jo Wainwright examining the roles of women in the United States during the Progressive Era (1895–1930) , a time of major social change when women were increasingly entering public life, reform movements, and professional fields. The lecture, titled “Reluctant Reformers: Mary Hallock Foote & Julia Morgan in the Progressive Era,” will explore the Progressive Movement—what it was, what problems reformers soug

For more than two decades, the North Star House has been moving through a rare kind of recovery - one measured not only in funding milestones and building permits, but in volunteer hours, hard decisions, and a belief that historic places can still serve living communities. After decades of dedicated service, David made the decision to retire from the Board of Directors at the end of 2025. In this sit-down conversation, he reflects on what first drew him to North Star House, w

Community Game Day is a simple reminder of why North Star House exists—not just as a historic space, but as a place meant to be used, shared, and enjoyed. Families, friends, and neighbors gathered throughout the house on January 18th to play board games, card games, and puzzles, filling the rooms with conversation and laughter. People came and went at their own pace, but everyone participated in the same spirit of connection. Events like Community Game Day allow people to exp

Ken Underwood - Board President We are pleased to share that Ken Underwood has stepped into the role of Board President of the North Star Historic Conservancy. Ken has been actively involved with North Star House for the past seven years, serving across multiple committees and contributing to the ongoing restoration effort. He approaches this role with a focus on making the house accessible to everyone, working collaboratively across the organization, and keeping the space op

The North Star House was filled with holiday cheer this season as we welcomed the community in for our annual Christmas celebration. Visitors wandered through the House, taking in the holiday decorations, getting a feel for the warmth and history that make this place so special. We loved seeing so many new faces walk through the doors, along with familiar ones who return year after year. Guests warmed up with mulled wine and hot cocoa. Carols echoed softly from room to room,

A gentle and timeless holiday glow fills the North Star House this season, thanks to the thoughtful Christmas décor created by Rebekah Freeman.

An inside look at the second floor of the North Star House, shared through the voices of the volunteers who are bringing it back to life.

On November 16, our community gathered for a moment many years in the making: the National Significance Celebration at the North Star House. Surrounded by friends, volunteers, supporters, and local leaders, we honored the historic designation that officially recognizes the House for its importance in architecture, literature, women’s history, and equal rights. The evening opened with remarks from our Board President, Paula Campbell , who spoke from the heart about the decades

We recently hosted a free community workshop with horticultural designer Molly Breen of New Wave Green , focusing on how to design native plant landscapes using Netafim irrigation systems. The event brought together local gardeners, volunteers, and community members interested in sustainable, water-wise landscaping. During the workshop, Molly walked participants through the fundamentals of Netafim drip irrigation: how it works, why it’s ideal for native plants, and how though

The North Star Historic Conservancy is proud to announce that the North Star House has been officially recognized as nationally significant in the National Register of Historic Places : a milestone that underscores the site’s vital place in American history. From the groundbreaking architecture of Julia Morgan, California’s first licensed woman architect, to the literary legacy of Mary Hallock Foote, the North Star House tells a remarkable story of innovation, culture, and co

The second-floor construction effort of the North Star House is one of the most ambitious and exciting projects underway at this historic 1905 estate. Reviving more than 5,000 square feet of long-dormant space requires not only vision but deep expertise, and we’re fortunate to have both. Leading this effort is Andy Wright, Construction Manager at the North Star House, whose decades-long career as a licensed general contractor and former owner of WrightBuilt Construction bring

This past weekend, the North Star House opened its doors for a special evening of gratitude and celebration: the annual State of the Star event. Donors, sponsors, and friends gathered to hear updates on the year’s accomplishments and to see firsthand the incredible progress being made upstairs. Guests were given a rare opportunity to step inside the unfinished second floor — an area that has remained largely untouched for decades. Guided by the dedicated leaders overseeing c

The North Star House is calling on the community to help us plant the next phase of our native hedgerow, an inspiring project designed by Molly Breen to bring new life, color, and biodiversity to our historic grounds. Thanks to a generous grant of 100 native plants from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, we’re expanding this living landscape to provide essential habitat for pollinators and wildlife while creating a beautiful, sustainable border that complements