NEWS RELEASE

Join the County of Sonoma in celebrating the Hood House’s 150th birthday on Saturday, August 23, 2008. The party will include presentations from 10am-11am, and an open house with grounds tours from 11am to 1pm. Cake and lemonade will be served.

This 8,100 square foot mansion was built by William Hood for his wife, Eliza, in 1858. It was constructed of bricks fired on site by native Miwok and Wappo Indians. In 1905 it was purchased by Utah Senator Thomas Kearns as a summer home, where he entertained Ulysses S. Grant and Teddy Roosevelt. The Knights of Pythias purchased the house in 1924 as a retirement home for its members. The Hood House became the property of the County of Sonoma in 1974. This historic structure is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources.

As a result of recent work, the building now has 100% seismic retrofit under the State Historic Building Code. Using 500 anchor-bolts set in epoxy, the floor and roof framing were secured to the brick walls. There is a new accessible visitor entrance and restroom, as well as a historically-appropriate new roof. Work remaining to be done includes upgrades to electrical, plumbing and heating systems, as well as interior restoration.

This celebration is being presented by Sonoma County Regional Parks, along with the Sonoma County Architect and General Services Department. The Hood House is located at 7501 Sonoma Highway (12) in East Santa Rosa. More information can be obtained by calling Sonoma County Regional Parks at (707) 565-2041 or online at www.sonoma-county.org/parks.