Campbell Celebrates Historic Preservation Month

The city of Campbell has a rich history—and a track record of preserving it.

On Saturday, Campbell’s Historic Preservation Board will offer up a chance to learn more about the buildings and people of Campbell through two free docent-led walking tours.

"It's an opportunity to study, observe and learn about the growth of Campbell," says Steve Prosser, Historic Preservation Board staff liaison. "It's a chance to understand the historical perspective to how the city grew, where the roots are and how best to move forward with development while still pay homage to our past."

The first tour will offer a walk-through of 14 commercial and non-residential buildings in the downtown, including the former Gaslighter Theater. 

The second will offer a walk-through of 12 historically significant residential homes around the downtown, beginning at the Ainsley House.

Two sets of each tour will be offered, one at 11 a.m. and the other at 1 p.m. Both tours will meet in front of the historic Ainsley House at 70 N. First St. between City Hall and the library. The tour of residential homes will be exterior only, but there will be opportunity to go into some of the commercial buildings.

Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes and to bring water to drink if needed. Each tour lasts approximately one hour.

This is part of the annual outreach done by the Historic Preservation Board every May, during Historic Preservation Month. This year’s theme is "Celebrate America’s Treasures."

"What the board has focused on is what has happened with adapted reuse," Prosser says. "How have buildings been renovated and retrofitted to continue to be relevant today. You don’t always have to tear down to build new."

For more information, contact Prosser at 408-866-2142, or by email at stevep@cityofcampbell.com.