Vikingsholm has been mentioned often as one of our favorite places to spend a summer day. Tonight, I spent the evening with Dr. Helen
Henry Smith, an incredible woman who had the good fortune to have spent the first 14 summers of her life here, with her parents, as a guest of Lora Knight, the builder of this magnificent Castle in Emerald Bay.
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| Lora Knight and little Helen |
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| Once a month, during the summer, the Sierra State Parks Foundation, hosts Conversations with History, an event where guests enjoy a unique “behind–the-scenes”
tour, partake of wine and hors d'oeuvres in the courtyard of Vikingsholm and converse with Helen. |
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| I was witness to the placing of this recreated maid's dress, a project long in the works. What an honor to see this part of Vikingsholm's history happen. |
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As an adult with a family, Helen returned to Vikingsholm in 1969 as a tour guide and historian. During the years of providing tours, she identified the deterioration of the structure and
became frustrated with the lack of funding for the care of historic
buildings within California State Parks. She was instrumental in
the property’s placement on the California State and National Registers
as an historical landmark and the first woman in the Parks Department to be allowed to wear a uniform in the field- huge accomplishments! |
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| The tour allowed us into Mrs. Knight's private bedroom- a glimpse into her private world. |
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| To sit amongst so much history was a fantastic experience and a memory that I will never forget. I continue to marvel at all the opportunities that exist here in Tahoe! |
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2 comments:
What an amazing woman with an amazing story.
Hi there- I was wondering where you got the photograph of Lora Knight and little Helen? We are doing research on the area and collecting photographs, and would love to find the original owner of the photograph. Thank you!
Feel free to email me at dani.rawson12@gmail.com
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