Cambria Historical Society purchases 1800s Maggetti House

There is great news from John Ehlers, Cambria Historical Society’s board president! The Cambria Historical Society has just completed the purchase of the Maggetti House, recognizable as the little blue 1800s house immediately adjacent to the museum on Center Street. The current shop, Hidden Gate Antiques, will continue in business for the time being.

Ehlers reports that “everyone is delighted that this house is remaining in the hands of those who appreciate its history. This purchase is one step closer toward making Center Street the Historic Park District, which was originally conceived by the Cambria Parks Recreation and Open Space Commission in 1994.

“Strategic plans for the Maggetti House include making it an office space and research facility for the public in the future. The office in the current museum will be restored to the bedroom it once was. The purchase of the Maggetti House was initially made possible by an anonymous donor who wishes the donation to be a challenge for other Cambrians to contribute toward the purchase and restoration of the house. The Cambria Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax deductible.”

Harvest Festival Weekend, the Historical Society’s major fundraiser that makes all our community service possible, is fast approaching on Oct. 11-13. Tickets are still available at the museum for the Sunday, Oct. 12, gourmet Vine Dining winemaker dinner and on www.brownpapertickets.com and www.cambriahistoricalsociety.com, $125 per person, or $900 for a table for eight. See our website or call 927-2891 for details about our menu and entertainment.

Accompanying this column is a photo of the Pedotti Ranch on San Simeon Creek Road, just short of the area first homesteaded by E.A. Clarke and family. Local guides will regale guests on our Harvest Festival Farm and Ranch Tour on Monday, Oct. 13, up the road with fascinating information, as they sample products grown by several hosting ranchers. Tickets at $100 per person are available at the above sites.

Everyone is a winner at our traditional Harvest Market on Saturday, Oct. 11, on the grounds of the museum at 2251 Center St. at Burton Drive, with free admission. Local food and beverage vendors, product booths, and activities for family and friends will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Music will be provided by the Julia and Brett Mitchell Quartet as of noon, a preview of their performance during the Sunday dinner as a trio.

Local nonprofessional bakers will compete with their home-baked pies in the Harvest Pie Baking Contest in the backyard Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Guests can sample and vote for their five favorites for only $5 per person. There are no separate categories this year; the winner takes it all in popular votes for first, second and third place, with valuable certificate prizes from our sponsors for $100 and more! Entry blanks are available at the museum and at Robin’s Restaurant.

Proceeds from all our events benefit the museum, Heirloom Gardens and special funds such as the Maggetti House purchase.

This story was originally published September 3, 2014 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Cambria Historical Society purchases 1800s Maggetti House."