North Star House Historical Researcher

North Star House Historical Researcher

The North Star House is a 10,000 square-foot home commissioned by the North Star Mining Company, designed in 1905 by the renowned architect Julia Morgan and built by engineer Arthur D. Foote. Built in the Arts and Crafts style, the North Star House is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the California State Historic Buildings Register.

The North Star House is located at 12075 Auburn Rd, Grass Valley, approximately one mile south of the Nevada County fairgrounds on a 14-acre portion of the former North Star Mine site. The North Star House is owned and operated by the North Star Historic Conservancy.

 Volunteer Opportunity Description

Learn basic information about the North Star House, its history, and the main characters: Julia Morgan, Arthur De Wint Foote, Mary Hallock Foote and James D. Hague.  

Join an existing research team exploring historical questions related to North Star House, mining history, women’s history and the social and culture history of Nevada County. Current projects include a study of mine worker fatalities, a longevity study of mine workers’ families, and the life of North Star owner James D. Hague. This newly organized group has goals of presenting and publishing results of the research for the education and enjoyment of the North Star House community.

 Responsibilities and Duties

• Sign up to join the research committee and bring your own laptop computer. Be prepared to work within the committee with one or more other researchers on an existing project and later on a topic you might choose.
• Meet with the research group as often as possible on Monday mornings from 9 am to noon.
• Monitor email periodically for research-related information. Pursue online research at your own pace between meetings.
• Attend a yearly event season-opening social in the Spring for updates on the progress of the house and grounds restoration. 
• Come learn and have fun as you meet new and interesting people!

Training

Training is simple and learning is self-guided through the North Star House website and through working within the research committee.

We hope to have you join us as we showcase one of Julia Morgan’s first residential projects, an artistic and cultural expression of the industrial era in the Sierra region.

Please click EXPRESS INTEREST and we'll get in touch! Or visit our website at www.TheNorthStarHouse.org