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STROLL THROUGH HISTORY DOCENT-LED TOURS: LANDMARK BUILDINGS AND GARDEN

The following landmark buildings and public garden will be open for free, docent-led tours during the Stroll Through History, Saturday, September 8. All tours begin at the locations indicated below:

Boy Scout Cabin (515 Lincoln Street)
This rustic redwood cabin has served as a meeting place for the Boy Scouts of America since its construction in 1932 on land donated by the Elks Club. Dr. H.J. "Doc" Camp is credited with being the pioneer of the Boy Scout movement in Woodland. He organized community fundraising drives to develop the cabin. The cabin is owned by a nonprofit trust that is currently raising funds to address needed repairs on the building so it can continue to serve the next generation of Scouts. Today, more than 600 Boy Scouts use the cabin six nights a week. Open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Stroll Through Rose History (garden located at N/E corner of College and Court Streets)
"Stroll Through Rose History" at the John A. Saltsman Garden on the grounds of the Woodland Public Library. Over 600 roses provide beauty, fragrance and rejuvenation to the historic Downtown area . Discover roses that are known to have been grown in early Yolo County gardens. Discover both old and modern roses that flourish in the Woodland area, and satisfy many landscaping demands. Members of the Woodland Library Rose Club will be available with refreshments, brief docent tours and to answer questions. Tours 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Woodland Opera House (Heritage Plaza, Main and Second Streets)
A State Historical Park and registered California State Landmark, the Woodland Opera House is a rare example of a functioning, small town Victorian performing arts center. Featuring a horseshoe balcony, this elegant building must be seen for its full charm to be appreciated. The restoration of the theater demonstrates superb craftsmanship, with interior antique lighting and Arts and Crafts wall papers that create an elegant ambiance. Tours at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:20 p.m. and 2:20 p.m.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (515 Second Street)
A City of Woodland historical landmark, this beautiful 1912 style Tudor style church is the work of renowned architect, William C. Hayes, who was affiliated with U.C. Berkeley for many years. Outstanding craftsmanship is embodied in this work of art, including the Arts and Crafts interior, carved Gothic woodwork and an ethereal pipe organ. The selection and installation of the church's stained glass windows began in 1922, with the installation of a Louis Comfort Tiffany piece. Between 1952 and 1967, the George Payne Studios provided five more windows. The Wippel-Mowbry Studios of Exeter, England, provided the final seven windows in 1974, thus completing a 52 year endeavor. Open 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Christian Church Disciples of Christ (509 College Street)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the first Christian Church in Northern California, was founded by Joshua Lawson in 1854. The Church sponsored numerous other Christian Churches and founded Hesperian College, a forerunner of Chapman University. Historic pictures, artifacts and antiques, including a communion table, communion trays and collection boxes, will be on display. An organ belonging to Minna Cross, Sunday school teacher, Hesperian College teacher and recipient of Woodland's first bicycle license, will be on display. In addition to the small chapel, the Mission Revival-styled sanctuary, built in 1949, also will be open. The sanctuary features beautiful memorial stained glass windows. Docents will be on hand to explain the significance of the windows and the early history of the church. Tours 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Woodland Train Depot (Sixth & Lincoln Streets)
All aboard for an inside tour of the former Southern Pacific train depot! Constructed in 1911 and once a bustling center of Woodland, this Craftsman-style station underwent years of neglect and was nearly demolished. Sacramento Valley Historical Railways, a nonprofit group, acquired the building and has been working steadily in recent years to renovate the structure for eventual use as a museum and community building. Tour the building and see the recently restored depot office, baggage room and railroad history exhibits. Sacramento Valley Historical Railways received a $10,000 grant from the Stroll Through History in 2006, which enabled the restoration of the depot restrooms. Open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Yolo County Historical Museum (512 Gibson Road)
Situated on 2.5 acres of towering trees and historical plantings, this Greek Revival-style building is the former home of pioneers William Byas and Mary Gibson. The house, built in phases beginning in 1857, features a front facade of four Doric columns and a Southern Plantation-style balcony. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Live entertainment will be part of the day's festivities. Open 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Kraft Brothers Funeral Directors (175 Second Street)
Kraft Brothers is the oldest privately-owned company in Yolo County. It was established by Peter Krellenberg, who emigrated here in 1862 from New York to work on a farm. He moved to Sacramento and opened a cabinet shop on Jay Street. His wife convinced him that Sacramento would never be a big city, so he decided to move back to Woodland, and the family then established Krellenberg furniture store on Main and Third Streets. The Krellenbergs began in the funeral business by making coffins for the local barber/dentist/mortician located in Dead Cat Alley, who, after awhile, left Woodland to find his fortune in gold prospecting. Since the Krellenbergs were already making the coffins they decided to begin to conduct the services too. In 1881, Peter Krellenberg brought his son, Emil, into the business. Peter died in 1904 and Emil Krellenberg took over the business, and his two nephews, Julius and Emil Kraft, eventually joined him in the operations. The Kraft brothers decided to construct a separate facility for funerals, the building currently located at 175 Second Street. They sold the furniture business in 1933 and renamed the funeral home Kraft Brothers. Since 1998, Kraft Brothers is operated by businessman and Funeral Director Paul Wiggins. The building at North and Second Streets was constructed in 1927. It was built in three sections, beginning with the chapel. It is adobe construction with 18" thick walls and beautiful stained glass windows. The arched double doors are solid hardwood made from Capay Valley oak trees. The lines running vertically through the doors represent the river of life. Beautiful antiques are on view throughout the building. The garage was the final section to be built, and is constructed from solid redwood casket shipping trays. Caretaker quarters are located over the main building. Open 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

United Methodist Church of Woodland (212 Second Street)
From the first circuit preacher on horseback in 1852 to today's active community of faith, the history of the United Methodist Church of Woodland is an exciting saga. The current church sanctuary, designed in the Mission Revival style, was built in 1925. It is the fourth church building for this congregation, and the second church facility on the present site. Visitors are invited to enter the church from Second Street (use the large sanctuary doors), tour this facility and learn more about the 153 year journey of the congregation. Open 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.