***********************************************************
High Tea on the Lower Level of the Fallon House at San Pedro Square Market
Former Manny’s Cellar to Serve Up Holiday Festivities
San Jose, CA -- October 19, 2011
The tradition of History San José’s annual Heritage Holiday Tea and Tour will be held this year in the area of the new San Pedro Square Market at the Victorian-era Fallon House. The lower level, formerly Manny’s Cellar, has been restored and will be transformed into a holiday tea room for the Saturday, December 3 event.
The Heritage Holiday Tea continues the annual tradition of tea and this year includes champagne, tours of the Fallon House, built in 1855, and of the Peralta Adobe, built in 1797. Located just a stroll across the street from the new San Pedro Square Market and performances by the Liberty Baptist School Band and Choir.
“For long-time San José residents Manny’s Cellar near San Pedro Square conjures up images of beer, burgers and gossip,” said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José. “This holiday season History San José will proudly open these historic buildings to our friends. Manny’s is a San José institution and this newly-restored space is perfect for the popular Heritage Holiday Tea.”
Satori Tea Company will present a special blend especially for the Heritage Holiday event consisting of peach, plum, apricot, black tea and flower petals. Named ‘Valley of Hearts’ Delight,’ the tea be will accompany a gourmet catered light luncheon, and also be avaliable for purchase. Guglielmo Wines will provide the champagne served by Shady Shakespeare in the garden while greeted by The Lyric Theatre Carollers.
Throughout San Pedro Square Market will be traditional holiday activities and vendors, old and new alike.
“The Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe historic sites are the convergence of new and old,” said Steve Borkenhagen, Marketing Manager of San Pedro Square Market. “It is a privilege to partner with History San José on the holiday festivities. The new San Pedro Square Market will be a gathering place just as it was more than two centuries ago.”
The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will demonstrate wreath-making, The Spinners will be spinning yarn, the Lace Museum will host demonstrations of lace-making.
Former Mercury News artist Jim Hummel will be on hand for a book-signing of his latest children’s book, San Jose, California: The Place Where People Help Dreams Come True.
The $45 ticket price, (HSJ members $40) will include tours and a gift bag with specials and discounts from the newly-opened market and Satori Tea Company. Parking will be free in the lot adjacent to the Fallon House, and street parking is free on Saturdays. The Fallon House Historic Site is located at 175 West St. John Street in San José.
Tea times are at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Ticket price includes tours of the Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe. Make checks payable to History San José and mail to 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95113 or call Juanita at 408 918 1045 or email her at jlara@historysanjose.org.
The Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San José’s earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully-furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Thomas Fallon was a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon was the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.
The Peralta Adobe is San José’s oldest address. Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. See the Adobe’s horno, an outside working oven or venture inside the home and see two rooms furnished as they might have been when they were occupied by the Gonzales and Peralta families. It is now surrounded by the new San Pedro Square Market.