The Kelley House invites you to join us at our annual Fourth of July Lawn Party on Tuesday, July 4th from 11 AM – 3 PM. The beautiful Kelley House lawn provides the best parade viewing in town and admission is FREE, though donations are greatly appreciated. In addition to an excellent view of the parade route, you can enjoy music and dancing courtesy of DJ Dylan while sipping on margaritas, wine, and beer from North Coast Brewing Company, plus non-alcoholic options. Popcorn will also be available, but bring your own picnic lunch or pick up a hotdog from Rotary Park just down the street.
Kelley House Museum Lawn on the Fourth of July, 2022. (Photographer: Jamie Armstrong)
As you relax on the Kelley House lawn, take notice of the Mendosa-Flow Water Tower visible just past the Kelley House pond. This water tower, featured in the museum’s current exhibit “Water Tower Wonderland,” has a fascinating history that is linked to the Fourth of July. The tower was originally built in 1904 behind Mendosa’s store, but it was sold in 1975 when it became too unstable to maintain. The tower’s price was $1.00 but the new owners were required to insure it, take it down, and remove it from the property. Barry Cusick, Jim Coupe, and Gus Costa salvaged what they could of the original materials and rebuilt the water tower where it currently stands on Main Street, just in time for the 1976 bicentennial parade.
We look forward to seeing you at the Kelley House this year. Thank you to our generous sponsors: North Coast Brewing Company, Old Gold Jewelry, and Harvest Market.
The “Water Tower Wonderland” exhibit and images of the Mendosa-Flow Water Tower reconstruction are on display until September 18th, during regular museum hours. The Kelley House Museum is open from 11AM to 3PM Thursday through Monday. If you have a question for the curator, reach out to curator@kelleyhousemuseum.org to make an appointment. Walking tours of the historic district depart from the Kelley House regularly.