HUNTINGTON BEACH – The Huntington Beach Historical Society is hosting its annual holiday open house with a new partner this year, Historic Wintersburg in Huntington Beach.
The event, “Holidays in Huntington Beach,” will be held Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Newland House Museum, 19820 Beach Blvd. in the Newland Shopping Center at Beach and Adams Avenue, with historical displays of life a century ago in 1914.
The Newland House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and dates to 1898, when it was built for William and Mary Newland, pioneer settlers of Huntington Beach. It was saved and preserved through a community effort and is now one of the oldest homes remaining in Huntington Beach, a reminder of Orange County’s pioneer community. The Newland House and gardens will be open, free to the general public, during the event.
“Holidays in Huntington Beach” also will feature a glimpse of life in Historic Wintersburg, named in June 2014 as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Wintersburg Village was a pioneer settlement community originating in the 1880s, annexed into the City of Huntington Beach in 1957.
Guests will walk into Wintersburg Village’s Tashima Market on the front lawn of the Newland House and view historical photographs relating to Huntington Beach’s Japanese pioneers. There will be an opportunity to chat with Japanese pioneers and get a taste of mochi, courtesy of the historic century-old Fugetsu-do Confectionery in Little Tokyo.
Other items will be available at the Christmas Market relating to Historic Wintersburg, as well as donation opportunities for the preservation work. “Historic Wintersburg in Huntington Beach” author Mary Adams Urashima will have copies of her books available for sale and signing.
The story of Historic Wintersburg has been reported on nationally, including in The Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, ABC and NPR. Presentations on its history also have been featured at the Japanese American National Museum and the Smithsonian exhibit “Journey Stories.” The Furuta family of Historic Wintersburg will be featured an upcoming public television series, “Our American Family.”
“Holidays in Huntington Beach” features live holiday music and refreshments. As part of the holiday tradition, Santa will make an appearance at the Newland House, making this an event for all ages.
Admission is free. Guests are encouraged to arrive in 1914 fashion.
More information about the Newland House can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HBHistoricalSociety. More information about Historic Wintersburg can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Historic-Wintersburg-Preservation-Task-Force/433990979985360 and at www.HistoricWintersburg.blogspot.com.