Published in the April 16-29, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
Photo by Marty Cheek
April Alger, an eighth-grader at Charter School of Morgan Hill, sold Honey Bee Mine jars of honey she processed from local bees at the Morgan Hill Historical Society’s annual spring boutique April 5 and 6.
The popular boutique raises money to fund maintenance and operations of Villa Mira Monte, the location of the Morgan Hill House and the Morgan Hill History Museum as well as the history walk through a rose garden.
The boutique brought people from Contra Costa County, Marin, San Francisco, Monterey and San Jose, said Janie Knopf, one of the boutique organizers. Items sold include jewelry, soap, refurbished furniture, plants, cards, knit goods, and gift items.
“With our vendors, we try to keep it to all hands-on things that are sold,” Knopf said. “Basically we want artisan items, so that’s our premise that we begin with.”
Kathy Sullivan, president of the society, said the spring and Christmas boutiques create greater awareness of Villa Mira Monte. “We have a lot of people who come back every year because they love the nice things,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for us to show the house and the museum for people who don’t have the opportunity to do so very often. It’s very beneficial. It helps us raise funds, creates publicity, and more visibility.”
Villa Mira Monte is located at 17860 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill. It’s open on Friday from noon to 3 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
