Keepers of Tahoe History: Tallac Historic Site

South Tahoe Now will be publishing a series over the next few weeks, The Keepers of Tahoe History. We will be highlighting groups, locations and events around Lake Tahoe that are preserving the historic past of the area.

A bygone era is celebrated daily on the shores of Lake Tahoe at the preserved Tallac Historic Site. Over 100 years ago this area, just northwest of South Lake Tahoe, was home to "Grandest Resort in the World" and was the summer retreat for San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families. The Pope, Baldwin, Tevis and Heller families all once lived among the giant pines in the homes along the beach.

Today, the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract an estimated about 250,000 people a year. One can find the visitors (both locals and tourists alike) strolling along the paths, peeking into cabins, going to the museum and bookstore, touring the Pope House, walking through the grounds of Lucky Baldwin's casino, walking the Promenade just as women in their finest dresses did a century ago.

Located on National Forest Land and operated by the U.S. Forest Service, the Tallac Historic Site is managed and maintained by the Tahoe Heritage Foundation. The non-profit group keeps the property clean, buildings restored, and history alive within its boundaries. It is free to wander through the property and tours and teas are offered for a slight fee. They also have events during the year open to the public and their new feature this year, Heritage Days.

Heritage Days

Every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through the summer, Heritage Days at Tallac Historic Site are something not to be missed. All volunteers are dressed in period costumes and free demonstrations and activities are offered throughout the site, offering participants a glimpse into how life at the estate must have been.

Many of the hands-on activities are geared towards children, but adults can also enjoy themselves.

Learn calligraphy and make a bookmark, pot a plant during gardening lessons, play lawn games such as croquet and tug-of-war and crafts, and watch demonstrations in pottery, blacksmithing, basket weaving and much more.

Volunteers, who are normally working hard to keep the property going, are now dressed as chambermaids, servants and resort guests and are interacting with visitors.

"People are coming here asking specifically for Heritage Days," said Jude Markward, Director of Operations for Tahoe Heritage Foundation. "It is revitalizing the site."

They are seeing repeat participants as the activities change each day. All Heritage Day activities are family friendly, and free.

Last week two families were visiting during Heritage Days from their cabin in Spring Creek. For years they've participated in Kitchen Kids and other long-running programs at Tallac, but their kids were loving the new Heritage Days. Upon arrival I found Colby Halvorsen, 6 and Mia Halvorsen, 8, from Sonoma, and Ty Settle, 7 and Reese Settle, 5, from San Jose, learning how to play croquet on the lawn. They then moved to crafts and baking banana cake. Their mothers said three generations have enjoyed the Tallac Historic Site.

"We love this," said Elena Halvorsen.

Great Gatsby Festival

Once a year Tallac Historic Site celebrates their Great Gatsby Festival on the second weekend of August. This year it falls on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12. Celebrate the culture of the 1920’s...congregate, relax and participate. Period costumes are encouraged.

Tours, historic talks, vintage automobiles, antique clothing, games and family activities, jewelry vendors, food and drink run throughout the weekend.

Returning is the Gatsby Afternoon Tea and Fashion Show on Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $65 and available here. It normally sells out so get tickets soon.

The Buildings and Grounds

To start a tour of Tallac Historic Site, stop by the Baldwin House and get information from the docent inside. There is a cellphone tour available, maps, literature, a well stocked gift shop with great gifts to wear or take home, a movie and museum inside Baldwin.

Actor Rudolph Valentino stayed at the estates in the 1930s. He showed his movies in the library inside the Pope House and stayed in the Pacheco Cabin (visitors can peek inside)

Besides Pacheco, another cabin to visit is the Indian Cabin. It was used by the Tevis boys as their gym in 1899. Its wood sculptured entrance is photographed often.

Throughout the grounds one will find chairs, beckoning to be used and perfect for a rest, to read a book or enjoy a cup of coffee.

The Blacksmith shop is still in operation and volunteers create dinner triangles, hooks, puzzles, all things that can be purchased.

The boathouse is now open, and visitors can see the wooden Quic-Chakidn (sound out that name and see what you come up with). Lots of photos are on the walls, showing life on boats when the site was home to families.

There is a fee for the Pope House tour (just $5 for Great Gatsby weekend). The knowledgeable and entertaining guide will lead visitors through grand rooms, bedrooms with their original fabric wall coverings, the kitchen and more. There are tin-lined closets that protected items left in the home from critters fall-spring when the occupants returned home to the bay area.

The arboretum can be set up for tea service by the site's volunteers...call and reserve it and they'll serve you in period servant outfits for a donation. Bring your picnic!

Volunteers

The volunteers are what keeps Tallac Historic Site going, from docents to landscapers and carpenters. They teach the classes and sew the costumes, keep track of donations and work in the shops. Some of the seasonal volunteers have been returning for over 20 years...many are locals but others spend their summers at the site before returning home. There are 13 RV sites at Tallac, and volunteers can apply to bring their campers for the season in exchange for 28 hours a week of volunteer work.

Volunteers assist with restoration, interpretation, and educational activities:
Greeting and assisting visitors
Museum docent
Conducting tours and assisting with living history programs
Retail operations in the Gift Shop at the Baldwin Museum
Museum related activities including accessioning
Gardening, caring for lawn, grounds & trails
Preservation, restoration, and maintenance of structures, grounds, artifacts and machinery
Blacksmithing and demonstrating traditional crafts such as pottery, calligraphy and basket weaving
Sewing and costuming for our living history programs
Annual Gatsby Festival and Gatsby Afternoon Tea & Fashion Show
Administrative assistance

To learn how to volunteer, visit http://www.tahoeheritage.org/support/volunteers/.