This past Sunday, Historic Monterey wrapped up its annual History Fest in high style with The Friends of the Monterey Public Library's 3rd annual House Tour. Five beautiful private homes, each representing a different architectural style or historic period, were open to the public. Docents and homeowners were available at each home to talk about the various points of interest, and tell the stories of the people who built or lived in the homes, over the years. I had the privilege of working as a docent at one of earliest Victorians on West Coast - a lovingly restored 1870 home, rich in history, and filled with beautiful period furniture. In addition to the private homes on the tour, was La Mirada, once the humble adobe of Mexican General Castro, which was later transformed into the magnificent estate of screenwriter Gouverneur Morris. La Mirada is now part of the Monterey Museum of Art. Two other historic landmarks fleshed out the tour, Colton Hall Museum and the Royal Presido Chapel.

This fun and educational House Tour will translate into over $4,500 in books, library materials, and library programs - a real gift to the community from the Friends of the Library and the participating homeowners.