Visitors can tour the home’s three original rooms and learn about life in Santa Monica in the early 1900s.
The historic Shotgun House in Santa Monica will open its doors for free public tours over Valentine’s Day weekend, offering visitors a glimpse into one of the city’s oldest surviving homes.
The Shotgun House, located at 2520 Second St., will be open Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, from noon to 2 p.m. each day. Admission is free, and no reservations are required.
Built in 1897, the Shotgun House is the last intact example of its kind in Santa Monica. The modest wood-frame structure, which once faced demolition, has been preserved and rehabilitated and now serves as a small museum and community landmark.
During the open house, visitors can tour the home’s three original rooms and learn about life in Santa Monica in the early 1900s. The house features exposed sections that allow guests to look behind walls and beneath the floor to view vintage building materials. Docents will also point out architectural details, including an original window discovered during the restoration process.
In addition to the historic interiors, young visitors can explore a miniature model of the home furnished with Victorian-era décor typical of the period when the house was built.
Volunteer docents will be on hand to answer questions and share information about the home’s history, its preservation and the broader significance of historic conservation efforts in the city.
Walk-ups are welcome throughout the two-hour windows each day.
