Free Tours Of Nine Historic Landmark Building Interiors And A Public Rose Garden
The following landmark building interiors and historic rose garden will be open. Some also have free guided docent tours provided by the hosting organization. Note: All tours begin at the location of the building.
Woodland Opera House Hourly tours start at 10:20 a.m. 11:20 a.m. 12:20 p.m. 1:20 p.m. & 2:20 p.m. at the front door behind the Information Booth on Heritage Plaza at 2nd & Main Streets.
Right in the middle of Stroll central and not to be missed. A State Historic Park and registered California State Landmark, the Woodland Opera House is a rare example of a functioning, small town Victorian performing arts center, complete with a horseshoe balcony, this elegant building must be seen to be fully appreciated for its charm. The restoration of the theater exhibits superb craftsmanship with interior antique lighting and Arts and Crafts wallpapers that create an elegant ambience.
United Methodist Church open 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Behind Heritage Plaza at S/W corner of 2nd & North Streets.
From the first circuit preacher on horseback in 1852 to today’s active community of faith, the history of the Woodland United Methodist Church is an exciting saga. The current church sanctuary, designed in the Mission Revival style, was built in 1925. It is the fourth church building of this congregation, and the second church facility on the present site. Visitors are invited to enter the church off of Second Street (use the large Sanctuary doors), tour this facility, and learn more about the history of our 153 years’ exciting journey of faith.
Capital Hotel Hourly tours start on the hour from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at N/E corner of First & Main streets
See the progress of an innovative rehabilitation of Woodland’s oldest hotel. Constructed in 1868, this three story brick building survived the fire of 1892 that destroyed most of the buildings near it on Main, including the original Opera House. Vacant for many years, the current owners, Pilot Properties, are giving this landmark new life, including a seismic retrofit, as a mixed use complex of offices, residential lofts, and a restaurant.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church And Hollinghead Photo Exhibit open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at S/E corner of Second & Lincoln streets
A City of Woodland historical landmark, this beautiful 1912 Arts and Crafts style Tudor church is the work of renowned architect, William C. Hayes, who was affiliated with U.C. Berkeley for many years and designed several classic buildings on the UC Davis campus. Outstanding craftsmanship is embodied in this work of art, including genuine Tiffany stained glass windows, carved Gothic woodwork, and an ethereal pipe organ. For a spiritually uplifting experience, don’t miss this tour.
Bill Hollingshead will also premier an extensive photograph collection of his father, Paul W. Hollingshead, to be exhibited at the Parish Hall. In the 1920s Paul attended the New York Institute of Photography. Upon graduation he became staff member and Studio Manager for five years for Edward Steichen, the renowned photographer for Vogue and Vanity Faire magazines. In 1932 the Paul and Vera Hollingshead moved to Woodland and opened their studio. For the next 30 years Mr. Hollingshead artistically captured Woodland society and architecture with sparkling images documenting a large chapter of the town’s twentieth century history.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at S/E corner of College & Lincoln streets
Joshua Lawson founded the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), one of the first Christian Churches in Northern California, 1854. The Church sponsored numerous other Christian Churches and founded Hesperian College, a forerunner of Chapman University. Historic pictures, artifacts, and antiques including a pulpit, a communion table and collection box 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 also be on display. The Mission Revival styled sanctuary, built in 1949, with its beautiful memorial stained glass windows will be open. Docents will explain the significance of the windowsand the early history of the church.
Woodland Train Depot open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Sixth & Lincoln Streets
All aboard! for an inside tour of the former Southern Pacific train depot. Constructed in 1911, this Craftsman style station with Colonial Revival elements, once a bustling center of Woodland, underwent years of neglect and was nearly demolished. Sacramento Valley Historical Railways, a non-profit 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 and interesting railroad history exhibits. The Sacramento Valley Historical Railways is now raising funds to restore the depot restrooms and needs your help. Stop by the depot to show your support and tour and tour this historic building.
Boy Scout Cabin open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at 515 Lincoln Street
This rustic redwood cabin has served a meeting place for the Boy Scouts of American 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 non-profit 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, approximately 500 Boy Scouts use the cabin four nights every week.
Woodland Public Library Rose Garden Accessible for free viewing all day located at corner of First & Court Streets.
Stroll through rose history at the John A. Saltsman Garden on the Woodland Library grounds. Over 600 roses provide beauty, fragrance, and rejuvenation to this historical downtown area. Discover roses known to have been grown in early Yolo County grdents plus other old and modern roses that flourish in the Woodland area. The garden terrain is flat and benches are available.
Woodland Clinic Hospital open 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at 678 Third Street
Today known as Woodland Skilled Nursing Facility, when built in 1928 this three-story simplified Classical Revival hospital building represented the third version of a hospital located at this site. In 1911 the Woodland Sanitarium was constructed here after having been started in 1905 in a converted house at 110 College Street by nurse Kathleen McConnell. In 1920 the Sanitarium was enlarged to meet the needs of the Woodland Clinic medical group which had formed comprised of several physicians. William H. Weeks was the architect for both the 1920 and 1928 projects. The Woodland Clinic offices were located north of the hospital until replaced by the present apartment complex when the Clinic moved to Cottonwood Street. In 1960 the Woodland Clinic Hospital was re-structured as the non-profit Woodland Memorial Hospital and fundraising began to develop a new hospital. This occurred in 1967 when a modern facility was constructed on Gibson Road, after which the facility on Third Street was converted to Woodland Skilled Nursing Facility. The new owners have upgraded this historical medical facility and invite you to take a stroll through the building.
Yolo County Historical Museum (Gibson House) open 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 512 Gibson Street
Situated on 2.5 acres of towering trees, historical plantings, and lawn, 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.