We have been trying to get to this landmark for years. Margaret, our tour guide planned the ideal visit.

The John Muir House was built in 1882 by Dr. John Strentzel, John Muir's father-in-law. When Dr.Strentzel died in 1890, Mrs. Strentzel invited the Muirs to move into the "big house" with her. This was to be John Muir's home for the last 24 years of his life.
How cool is it that the Father of the National Park System has a National Park in his honor (since 1964).
It was such a surprise to stumble upon this home, in the middle of the town of Martinez. The home is a 17-room wood frame mansion of the late Victorian period (Italianate style) built on a knoll with a commanding view of Alhambra Valley. It is a two-storey structure with a full basement and attic, a cupola on the peak of the roof, 12-foot high ceilings in the rooms, and over 10,000 square feet of floor space. 
While the furnishings are period pieces, not belonging to John Muir, I figured the doorknobs were probably original so I made a point of touching all of them!
We delighted in exploring all the rooms in which John Muir dwelled. I especially loved his scribble den. Here he wrote some of his most passionate essays and arguments advocating for nature.

We were certain the attic could tell a story or two.

We wandered the grounds which were once 2,600 acres of farmland.

This ailing Sequoia was planted as a seedling by John Muir, the rancher.

This day was one that added layers to the life of a man we realized we knew little about. What an incredible history lesson.