Archive for News
To Our Friends of The North Star House
The North Star family and our community are currently sharing a rough patch of history with the coronavirus slowing down our active lives. The 115 year old North Star House has survived many tragedies from World Wars, to economic recessions, to pandemics. Please be assured that NSHC will continue to preserve The House as a beacon of hope for better times. Although the facilities are closed for the time being due to the governor’s orders, we are not neglecting our responsibilities to our treasured house.
While we look forward to resuming event activities at The House, the NSHC Board and Volunteers continue working from our homes … planning our Speaker presentations, enhancing our website, and putting out the March 2020 Newsletter. When government regulations and general health concerns permit, we will launch a new Open House program, with the North Star House staffed by history docents on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, alternating weeks, during the summer. We are also putting the finishing touches on our new Private Group Tour program. Look for information about that soon on our website.
The Heritage Garden crew is maintaining the garden and has it spruced up for Spring. We are disappointed that the Soroptimist Garden Tour had to be cancelled for 2020, but we will be on their tour May 22-23, 2021. Construction work has slowed but not stopped. (Did you know that some of our woodworking magic is done in the home workshops of volunteers, who bring their beautiful finished work back to The House for installation?)
The first presentation of our 2020 North Star Speaker Series — Chris Enss talking about Woman Suffrage — was very entertaining and informative. We have three more talks scheduled this year. If necessary, one or more of them will be rescheduled to later in the year.
- May 3 August 23: “North Star Mine Powerhouse: A Legacy of Arthur De Wint Foote”, presented by Jeffrey Boylan and Gary Smith of the North Star Mining Museum.
- July 12: “Nisenan Homelands: Then and Now”, by Shelly Covert, spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe.
- October 4: “James Hague: The Man Behind the North Star”, by local author and historian Gage McKinney.
We wish you all the best, and hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. You can still make reservations for future events by calling the office. Keep in touch by visiting the website or Facebook. We look forward to reopening the North Star House and welcoming you back.
Board of Directors
North Star Historic Conservancy
The vision of transforming the North Star House into a cultural event center and museum open to the community is now a reality. The North Star Historic Conservancy is pleased to announce that the North Star House is now open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 1 pm, and every Saturday, May through September, 9am until noon.
Come view this iconic landmark with your friends, family, or business associates.
During the “open house” hours, history docents will be on hand to give informal tours and answer questions about the North Star House, its nationally known architect, Julia Morgan, and its first inhabitants, mining engineer, Arthur DeWint Foote and author and artist, Mary Hallock Foote.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays the construction crew will also be available to explain the renovation plans and process.
The North Star House served as the social headquarters of the North Star Mine, and was where the public and investors were invited to meet and greet. This special example of California Craftsman Style architecture is on the National and the California State Historic Buildings Registers.
Visitors are welcome to sign the Guest Book and to learn about becoming a Volunteer. Students of all ages are welcome!
NSHC is looking for a volunteer interested in coordinating property improvement projects on the 14-acre North Star House grounds.
Qualifications- Experience with general construction methods involving basic carpentry, concrete work, irrigation systems, building maintenance, driveway maintenance and general site improvements. A background in landscape or building contracting is important.
Experience: Able to visualize projects and solutions, assist with construction budgeting, organize work schedules, order materials, coordinate and encourage volunteers.
Please use this contact form or call 530-477-7126 to leave a message for David Wright.
The North Star Historic Conservancy Board of Directors is pleased to announce the creation of a new project to honor the legacy of past Board member and House Ambassador, Peggy Levine. The Board has dedicated a key portion of the 2nd floor of the North Star House to be restored and used as “The M. W. Swan Levine Gallery”.
Her vision was that a large room and central hallway on the 2nd floor of the historic North Star House be devoted to display the work of highly talented, Nevada County resident artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Gallery, named in Peggy’s honor, would also host a number of exhibitions, programs and events. As a venue tied to the North Star House, the Gallery will bring the public closer to the wonderful world and History of Nevada County art; one of Peggy’s many goals in her life. Our vision and hope is it would further cultivate our vibrant arts environment and preserve the community’s artistic heritage.
To achieve this vision, the Board and the Levine family will need your help. In order to open the M. W. Swan Levine Gallery on the 2nd floor, a number of improvements will need to be made to The North Star House. Though great strides have been made on the lower floor to open it for public use, the 2nd floor is largely unfinished. To allow public access to the 2nd floor, such items as fire sprinklers, an elevator and utility upgrades will be necessary.
The restoration of the 2nd floor and the opening of the Gallery can be done with your help. Peggy was always one to push us to new heights, so our Board and the Levine Family are asking those who admired this incredible lady to help us in this task. With community support, this Gallery will open its doors!
If you wish to donate or support the creation of “The M. W. Swan Levine Gallery”, please send any donations or offers of support to: The North Star Historic Conservancy, c/o The Peggy Levine Gallery Fund, 12075 Auburn Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Questions on this project can be sent to our email thenorthstarhouse@gmail.com or phone (530-477-7126)
