November 8, 2005

Historic Ainsley House plans December teas around
‘Sugar Plum Holiday’ Theme

The Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House Foundation is now taking reservations for its popular Holiday Tea and Tours at the historic Ainsley House in Campbell.

Tickets to the silver-service holiday afternoon teas, followed by a docent-led tour of the holiday-inspired decorated Ainsley House, are available on the following dates: Dec.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11. The tea and tours are $20 per person weekdays, and $25 per person weekends. Teas are at 1:30 or 2 p.m.

Each year, 15 rooms at the 1925 English Tudor Revival historic house museum are decorated for the holidays during November and December by area interior designers, house decorators and community groups to give the house a festive look. The House will close Nov. 12-13 for decorating and open the following weekend all “dressed up for the holidays.” In addition, the Foundation opens a Holiday Boutique in the house, with Christmas holiday gift items, ornaments and other unique items.

This year, the Foundation is adding a late afternoon, “English Hunt” tea, with heartier sandwiches and port along with English tea at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The English Hunt tea is $30 per person. The holiday teas are quite popular and sell-out early.

For reservations, mail full payment made out to Campbell Historical Museum Foundation, 51 North Central Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008 and indicate first and second choice of dates, also include your phone number. For more information about the museum, call (408) 866-2119.

Beautifully restored in a park-like setting in the City of Campbell, the historic Ainsley House, was the home of Alcinda and John Colpitts Ainsley, a canning pioneer who built one of the best known fruit canning factories in the area. The house is a fine example of Tudor Revival architecture with influences from the Arts and Crafts Movement of the 20’s. The most striking feature of the house is its distinctive, gently sloping roof, designed to resemble the thatched roofs of Ainsley’s native England.

The Ainsley House was recently placed on the National Registry of Historical Places and the California Registry of Historical Resources. “Many residents remember the large mansion being moved down Hamilton Avenue to its current location in historic downtown Campbell….After four years of restoration, the Ainsley House opened its doors to the public. It is an architecturally significant building, which ties Campbell to its past,” explained Museum Director Gloria Chun Hoo.

The Ainsley House is open March through mid-December, Thursdays through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Starting Dec. 1, the house will be open daily through Dec. 18.

Admission is $2.50 for youth, $4 for seniors and $6 for adults. Visitors may purchase a combination ticket for $1 more to see the nearby Campbell Historical Museum. The last tour leaves at 3:15 p.m. The museum is located at 300 Grant Street, next to Campbell City Hall and the Campbell Library. For information, call (408) 866-2119 or find more information on-line at the City’s Web site: www.cityofcampbell.com.