Built before 1888, Immigrant House is a tiny home (14 x 20”) that provided shelter for the laborers, immigrants and struggling artists of the city’s past. It holds significance in that it represents the history of the immigration experience here in Mountain View and the laborers whose hard work “built this city”. This house serves as a contrast to the houses of the wealthy (such as Rengstorff House) and shows future generations how the working class lived. It represents the humble beginning of the American dream for past generations. The painting was created by Patricia Miller as a gift to Mary Kay Marinovich. Patricia lived in the house from 1971 to 1975. Her painting was the… A developer gets approval from the City Council to build on a parcel containing the Immigrant House. The developer is encouraged, but not required to save the tiny house. Mary Kay Marinovich decides to save the Immigrant House and starts a Change.org petition, asking the Mayor, City Council and the developer to preserve and relocate the home somewhere in the city of Mountain View. A Facebook group “Friends of Immigrant House” helps to spread the word. The city council votes unanimously to move the 400-square-foot Immigrant House and temporarily store it at the Municipal Operations Center, or MOC. There is not adequate money for restoration available. The preservationists need to get to work to raise the required $250,000. Ciy Council approved the acquisition of 771 North Rengstorff Avenue, and on September 24, 2013, affirmed the use of the property as a passive park that includes the Immigrant House. Ice Cream Social to raise awareness about the Immigrant House’s fate. Friends of Immigrant House and the City of MV brainstorm with the Mountain View Historical Association and History Park San Jose about how to get the historic designation and funding. Los Altos Community Foundation begins collecting donations from the community for saving Immigrant House. Friends of Immigrant House needed to attend a Santa Clara County Parks and Rec workshop on how to apply for a grant and learned the timelines and that they needed to have the City of MV approve Immigrant House as an historic site. Friends of Immigrant House and the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View put together a float to display in the parade. Friend’s of Immigrant House and Morocco’s Restaurant worked together to raise money for Immigrant House. Morocco’s donated 10% of all proceeds go to saving Immigrant House and there was free entertainment with music by Guided Tour. We celebrated our history and enjoyed the last days of summer with family, friends, and children. Many thanks to the Kiwanis Club and Key Club volunteers for their support of this event. Thanks also to the City Council, on behalf of current and future generations, for voting to save the Immigrant House. Friends of Immigrant House have public meeting with Mountain View Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board Meeting Friends of Immigrant House presented before City Council their hopes for the fate of the house. Council approved the conceptual plan for the new park and approved the demolition of the existing residence. The demolition work is under way. The city will apply for the Historical Heritage Grant fund for Immigrant House. City Manager Dan Rich, his staff and members of the Friends of Immigrant House submit an application for $50,000 in grant funding from the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission. Friends of Immigrant House participated in the Ice Cream Social to continue to bring awareness to Immigrant House. The Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members unanimously voted to the designation of Immigrant House as a historic structure!!! Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a $50,000 Historical Heritage grant to the city of Mountain View for the restoration of Immigrant House and relocation to Heritage Park. Immigrant House is moved from the Municipal Operations Center to Heritage Park. Immigrant House is set on its new foundation for restoration to begin. The City of Mountain View and the Friends of Immigrant House joined together for the grand opening and dedication ceremony of the Heritage Park, the new home of Immigrant House. Kiwanis Club of Mountain View and the City of Mountain View present the Inaugural Harvest History Festival featuring free acoustic music, children’s actives, art projects, a garden tour, honey tasting and harvest sampling. Before there was tech, there were orchards. Silicon Valley was known as The Valley of Heart’s Delight, and Mountain View is nestled serenely at its center. We celebrated our valley’s rich and fertile past. Heritage Park was home to this family-friendly event on Saturday September 28, 9:00 AM to Noon. We enjoyed the bountiful harvest from the gardens, as well as children’s activities & art projects, live music, and bubble entertainment. New furnishings at the historic Immigrant House were added and live garden demonstrations were on display. For more information about next year’s FREE event, contact Mountain View Parks and Recreation at (650) 903-6331. The Mountain View Historic Association was asked by the Khan Lab School if they could teach the school’s students about the history of Mountain View. I was asked to give a tour of Heritage Park. That means that today was the very first guided tour given by yours truly at Heritage Park!!! It was very fun – the children were bright and amazing. They learned about the history of the land and Mountain View’s agrarian past, visited the bees, and checked Soil & Water’s garden. They also got to see the future site of the Girl Scout Butterfly Garden. About 25 students, three teachers, and six parents joined me this morning. Here are some of the students and teachers that gave me permission to post on Facebook. Of course we spent a lot of time showing the students Immigrant House! The children were fascinated by the period-appropriate ice box and stove in the kitchen as well as the steamer trunk and the bed in the front room. So many sweet moments watching all the amazing young students taking everything in.
The Origin of Immigrant House
Developer Buys Immigrant House Property
A Bid to Save Immigrant House
Social Media for Immigrant House
Immigrant House approved to move!
Immigrant House Finds a New Home
Immigrant House Themed Ice Cream Social
History Park San Jose Helps Out
LACF Creates Fund
The Friends Begin the Grant Writing Process
“Sail Into Summer” Parade in MV
Immigrant House Fundraiser Party
OMVNA Ice Cream Social 2014
MV Dept of Parks Joins In
Immigrant House Goes Before City Council
Concept Plan is Approved!
Grant is Submitted
OMVNA Ice Cream Social 2015
Historic Structure Designated
The Grant is Approved!
On the Move!
Immigrant House Finds Solid Ground
Heritage Park Grand Opening & Dedication
Inaugural Harvest History Festival
Mountain View’s 2nd Annual Harvest History Festival
First Heritage Park History Tour
