3rd Major Site Update
Making my end of the year deadline with a day to spare, the new VPA website has been launched. It was precipitated by the theme that we had been using losing it’s support, so it was time to move to … Continue reading →
Heritage Tile Review
If you’re thinking about a DIY hexagon tile project, Matt Knowles wrote a review about Heritage Tile on his blog you might want to read before making your tile purchase.
Continue reading →The Darker Side of Dickens
The Victorian Preservation Association presents “The Darker Side of Dickens”. You are all familiar with Dickens’s homey Christmas stories, but did you know that Charles Dickens wrote some darker and more gothic tales? The VPA invites you to attend a … Continue reading →
You can have your cake, and eat it too!
A recent Ace Rewards mailing included some info and a $5 discount card for a new style of lightbulb. Well, a new interpretation of one anyways and it has me pretty excited. Ever since energy conservation became a big issue, … Continue reading →
New Web Site Design
The VPA web site was first designed in 1996 by Matt Knowles of Aesthetic Design & Photography, who was at that time a VPA member restoring a 1914 Bungalow in San Jose. In the almost 2 decades since, the site … Continue reading →
Paint Shaver Pro Review
After last year’s fire that I started while heat gunning the exterior of our 1888 Victorian, I started researching alternative methods of paint removal. I had previously stripped the entire exterior of our 1914 bungalow in San Jose without incident. … Continue reading →
Hill House Grand Opening
Hill House Public Grand Opening
Grand Opening festivities were Sunday, July 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in San Jose History Park at 1650 Senter Road, San Jose CA 95112. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30 PM.
Continue reading →Hill House Soft Opening
Hill House Opening for Members
What a lovely afternoon that was at the Hill House! Members old and new gathered on the back lawn and shared a tasty potluck in the sunshine and fresh air while the Anaglypta Brothers wowed everyone with their musical prowess … Continue reading →
Spencer House
Christmas Party 2007
The VPA’s member’s only Holiday party was held at the Frick Mansion in Santa Clara. Over seventy VPA members converged to celebrate the holidays. A good time was had by all.
Continue reading →Hill House is decorated for the Holidays
On Sunday November 12th, eleven VPA members gathered at the Hill House to decorate the house for History Park’s upcoming Holiday events. Thanks go out to: Liz & Megan Winslow, Liz Mallory, Diana Tone-Adams, Jane & David Guinther, Miranda von … Continue reading →
Hill Exhibit Installed
On Sunday November 12th, eleven VPA members gathered at the Hill House to decorate the house for History Park’s upcoming Holiday events. Thanks go out to: Liz & Megan Winslow, Liz Mallory, Diana Tone-Adams, Jane & David Guinther, Miranda von … Continue reading →
Afternoon Tea and Victorian Ornaments
On Saturday November 11th, VPA members gathered for an afternoon of tea and making period Victorian ornaments for the tree at the Hill House. At the end of the afternoon, our little tree was covered with pieces of art. Thanks … Continue reading →
Halloween at the Hill House
VPA members handed out treats at the Hill House.
Continue reading →VPA Mini Home Tour
Members of the VPA were treated to a “mini” home tour. This event allows those folks who wish to, to show off their homes to other members of the VPA. Six homes were on the tour. Here’s a few photo’s … Continue reading →
Antique Autos at the Hill House
The Hill house provided the backdrop for some of the most beautiful refurbished vintage cars in the valley. Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the spectacle, and the VPA was there to greet them all!
Continue reading →Hill House Ready for Decorating
House is handed over to the Decorating and Exhibit teams to be transformed into San Jose History Park’s newest house museum!
Continue reading →Hill House Basement & Lift
Ice Cream Social
VPA members gathered at Andrew P. Hill House for an ice cream social.
Continue reading →Bocce Ball at Backesto Park
VPA members gathered at the historic Bocce courts at Backesto Park, San Jose to learn this fun game (and Victorian no less!)
Continue reading →Christmas Party 2004
This year’s Christmas party was hosted by Walter and Sandra Soellner, and Norman Finnance and Mike Reandeau. It was held at both of the homes, next door to each other.
Continue reading →30th Anniversary Party
The VPA held a 30th Anniversary dinner at the Germania restaurant in downtown San Jose.
Continue reading →Bruce Bradbury visits the Victorian Preservation Association
Bruce Bradury, owner of Bradbury & Bradbury Wallpapers, was the guest speaker at the meeting held at Miranda and Diana’s home on Sixth St.
Continue reading →Hill House Sheetrock
VPA Christmas Party 2003
This year’s Christmas party was hosted by Miranda Von Stockhausen & Diana Hardick.
Continue reading →Hill House HVAC Installed
Not very glamorous, but entirely functional.
Continue reading →Finished Exterior
The exterior painting is finished. Time to start working indoors.
Continue reading →The Painting Begins!
The Hill House receives a beautiful 5 color paint job.
Continue reading →New Porch and Step Railings
Most of the two porches were severely deteriorated or missing and had to be replaced with new construction. The design was pulled from similar vintage homes, since we weren’t able to discover any architectural or photographic proof of what the … Continue reading →
Winchester Mystery House Christmas Decorations
From 1992 to 1999, the VPA participated in the Winchester Mystery House Christmas Decoration Contest. As you can see from the list below, we did quite well at it. In fact, so well, that in 1996, the WMH folks created … Continue reading →
Our First Look at the Hill House
We visited the house on its original site on Sherman and got our first tour of the interior. Crazy people that we are, we decide to go ahead and tackle the project anyways.
Continue reading →