Camron-Stanford House Preservation Association

Description

The graceful Italianate Victorian structure is located in Lakeside Park at 1418 Lakeside Drive in downtown Oakland. The House is situated on the shore of picturesque Lake Merritt. The Victorian structure was built in 1876 and was the first of many stately homes that once encircled the Lake. During its time as a private residence, it was home to some of Oakland's most notable families. During the first decade of the 20th Century, the City of Oakland created Lakeside Park to provide public access to Lake Merritt and transformed the house into the Oakland Public Museum, the first teaching museum west of the Mississippi River. In 1965, artifacts from the Oakland Public Museum were transferred to the newly constructed Oakland Museum just two blocks away. The fate of the old, deteriorating Victorian soon came into question. A small group of individuals concerned about Oakland's architectural heritage came together in a successful effort to save the building from demolition. The group reopened the stately Victorian to the public in May of 1978 as a house museum. Today, it is more important than ever to protect the history and beauty of the past for the enjoyment of future generations. There is no special requirement for volunteering other than an interest in the House and its programs. C-SHPA draws its volunteers from a richly diverse community throughout the Bay Area. Please join us in our efforts.