Restoration Projects

Caretaker’s House, Howarth Park

December 2025 Restoration Update

Restoration work continued at the Caretaker’s House throughout December, with a focus on window repairs, exterior maintenance, and community engagement. Early in the month, the south living room window was sanded, patched, painted on the exterior, and fitted with new glass, advancing efforts to stabilize and weatherproof the structure.

On December 14, 2025, the site hosted a small open house that welcomed approximately ten visitors, offering an opportunity to share progress and build community awareness around the project. At the same time, additional sanding and painting of exposed rafter ends continued. The month concluded with the installation of new glass in three porch windows, further securing the building and preparing it for future phases of restoration.

November 2025 Restoration Update

Work continued steadily throughout November as the Sonoma County Historical Society advanced its restoration of the historic Caretaker’s House at Howarth Park. Early in the month, additional plywood was removed from windows, revealing that several original attic windows remain intact. Interior cleanup uncovered well-preserved vertical-grain Douglas fir flooring beneath old carpet and padding. Communication with the City of Santa Rosa confirmed that no use permit will be required, resolving uncertainty about future occupancy.

Structural and exterior repairs also moved forward, including clearing the roof and surrounding vegetation, removing outdated cabling, and addressing dry rot on exposed rafter ends through sealing, priming, and repainting. Replacement window glass was sourced, and work began on installing new south-facing living room windows. Old carpeting was fully removed and hauled away, and interior floors have been swept in preparation for refinishing.

The month closed with steady progress toward stabilizing and preserving the home while laying the groundwork for future historic use by the Society.

A recent Press Democrat article highlights the Sonoma County Historical Society’s lease of the historic caretaker’s house at Howarth Park—once slated for demolition. Under a new lease agreement with the City of Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Historical Society will lead the extensive restoration of the Craftsman-style structure, improving accessibility, repairing original features, and outfitting it for public use as meeting, research, and exhibition space. This project transforms the building into a vital hub for local history and community engagement.

Sonoma County Historical Society leases Howarth Park caretaker’s house once slated for demolition

October 2025 Restoration Update

On October 23, 2025 the Sonoma County Historical Society received the key to the Caretaker’s House from the Santa Rosa Real Estate Department.
Initial cleanup work has began. The plywood covering the entry door was removed, and debris left behind by an unauthorized occupant was cleared and taken to the dump. A review of the property’s recent history revealed that after 2019, during the negotiation period for the house, several windows were broken. The City of Santa Rosa boarded and painted them to match the trim in order to protect the remaining windows. Later, an individual entered the property through the back door and lived there without access to electricity or running water, using candles for light. Fortunately, no fire occurred. After the city discovered the intrusion, officials secured the property, though the individual’s belongings remained inside.

The immediate objectives for the project are to restore water, electricity, and gas service to the house and to repair the damaged windows.

On October 26, 2025 an announcement about the project was shared on social media, inviting members and the public to visit the site. Despite limited notice and rainy weather, seven people stopped by. The plywood covering the south sunroom was removed to allow natural light in, as no windows in that section were damaged. The entry locks were rekeyed, and new keys will be made available for the next board meeting.

John Burton volunteered to remove and clean the gutters, completing that work on October 27, 2025. That same day, an ADA specialist, Joe Borroughs, conducted an accessibility assessment of the property. His formal report is pending, but he noted that obtaining a historical designation could reduce certain ADA compliance requirements.

Efforts to restore utilities began the following week. The city’s water department confirmed that there is no record of a water meter at 630 Summerfield Drive. The matter has been referred to the water engineering department, which will send an engineer to determine how to establish a meter connection. Coordination with PG&E and an electrical contractor will be required to restore power, pending the necessary permits.

The next day, measurements were taken for window and cabinet glass replacements, totaling 19 pieces. A local vendor, Jack Smith Glass, was approached regarding a potential donation or discount for the replacement materials, and a response is pending.