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For years, two of San Jose’s most historic structures have sat quietly amid looming, shiny high-rise buildings in one of San Jose’s most popular downtown hot spots. But unless you’re an elementary school student on a field trip, chances are that you’ve never been inside the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House.
Bill Schroh, who took over as the new CEO of History San Jose this summer, plans to change that.
Starting this Saturday and continuing through the rest of the year, the two buildings — one on the grounds of San Pedro Square Market and the other right across the street — will be open for public tours for the first time in several years. Schroh says there’s a dual purpose at work here: showcasing the preserved and restored gems for a new generation and making sure people know about History San Jose’s mission.
“We’re trying to start a whole new market for people to visit these places and discover the history of San Jose,” said Schroh, who views the buildings as part of the city’s living heritage. The Peralta Adobe, built in 1797 and San Jose’s oldest surviving structure, represents the city’s earliest days as a Mexican pueblo through the beginning of the 19th century. The Fallon House — where early mayor Thomas Fallon and his wife, Carmela Castro Fallon, lived — continues that story into the mid-Victorian era.
“These are great stories they are telling — both about the buildings and the people who lived there,” Schroh said.
San Pedro Square Market is a partner in the effort, and former San Jose Mayor Tom McEnery — one of the market’s co-owners and a major history buff himself — says he hopes the tours help activate the two spaces even more. History San Jose plans to re-landscape the gardens at the Fallon House and make that area open to more events, as well as reactivating the basement area, which for decades was the home of one of San Jose’s most famous watering holes, Manny’s Cellar.
“We’re going to do something in the basement in keeping with the history of the building,” said McEnery, who couldn’t put a date on when that would happen.
Ninety-minute tours of both sites will take place at noon and 2 p.m. every Saturday and will cost $5 per person (kids 12 and under are free). Tickets are available in advance at www.historysanjose.org or in person at the Three Sisters Bar at San Pedro Square Market.
COMMUNITY BENEFITS FROM ‘NINE’: The Guggenheim Entertainment production of “Nine” currently at 3Below Theaters in downtown San Jose is drawing great reviews and strong word-of-mouth from people who’ve seen it. And now when you see the musical, you can also help out one of nine community organizations.
Until the end of its run, the different agencies will receive up to 25 percent of the advance ticket sales of those performances, and there will be a “pass-the-hat” donation drive at the show, as well. The beneficiary agencies for the remaining shows are HomeFirst on Nov. 1 (HOMEFIRST), Cystic Fibrosis Research on Nov. 2 and 7 (CFRI), StandUp for Kids on Nov. 3 (STANDUP), American Cancer Society on Nov. 8 (RELAY), Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County on Nov. 9 (CCSCC) and onRoute22 on Nov. 10 (ONROUTE22). Use the donation code in parentheses when you buy your tickets at www.3belowtheaters.com.
ALMOST TIME TO SKATE: The annual construction project to build Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice at the Circle of Palms in downtown San Jose is nearly complete, and the outdoor skating rink set to open to the public Nov. 15 for its 24th year.
Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic gold medal figuring skating champion, has been a title sponsor of the rink for the past nine years. She’ll be on hand to celebrate the grand opening at a sponsor event at 6 p.m. Nov. 18. Her Always Dream Foundation also will be one of the rink’s nonprofit beneficiaries.
Admission, including skate rental, is $18 for adults and $15 for kids 10 and younger. Downtown Ice will be open through Jan. 12. Go to www.downtownicesj.com for hours, which vary throughout the season.
