China Cabin Gift & Greeting Card

Business Description

The China Cabin in Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920 is a truly unique and fascinating historical landmark. Originally commissioned in 1866 as a sidewheel steamer by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, the PS China carried mail and passengers from San Francisco to the Far East. Unfortunately, due to its wooden hull, the ship was considered obsolete by 1886 and was burned for scrap metal. However, before it was destroyed, the first-class social saloon was removed intact from the ship, barged to Belvedere Cove and set on pilings, where it became known as the China Cabin.

Transformed into a weekend home, the China Cabin was eventually designated as a national maritime treasure and restored to its former splendor as a Victorian drawing room in 1978. The Cabin consists of a large room and two small staterooms. Its plain exterior belies the ornate and regal appointments inside. The walls and arched ceiling are panels of elaborately decorated wood that have been painted a crisp white and highlighted with gold leaf. Along the sides of the Cabin, there are beautiful cut-glass floral window panes and brass chandeliers that add to the elegant ambiance of the historic space.

Managed and maintained by the Landmarks Society, the China Cabin is open to the public from April through October each year and is available for rent year-round. The Landmarks Society also manages and maintains other historic sites on the Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County, including Old St. Hilary's Landmark and the surrounding wildflower preserve, the Railroad Ferry & Depot Museum, and the Landmarks Art and Garden Center.

Visitors to the China Cabin can experience the history and grandeur of the Victorian era firsthand. The Landmarks History Collections includes photographs, fine art, artifacts, maps, documents, and a reference library. The Society activities include historic publications, botanical and architectural tours, concerts, lectures, and exhibits.

In short, the China Cabin in Belvedere Tiburon, CA 94920 is a must-visit destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the beauty of a bygone era.

Gift Ideas for China Cabin

For the history buff or architecture enthusiast in your life, a gift from the China Cabin is sure to delight. This national maritime treasure offers a unique glimpse into the Victorian era and the grandeur of the PS China, a sidewheel steamer that was commissioned by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company in 1866.

One gift option from the China Cabin is a copy of their historic publications or reference library materials. These include photographs, fine art, artifacts, maps, and documents that provide a comprehensive look at the history of the PS China and the Victorian era. A botanical or architectural tour of the site is also a great gift for those who appreciate the beauty of this historic space.

For those who love to entertain, a rental of the China Cabin for a special event or meeting is a gift that will be remembered for years to come. The large room and two small staterooms can accommodate a variety of events, from intimate gatherings to larger celebrations. The elegant and ornate appointments of the Cabin, including its cut-glass floral window panes and brass chandeliers, provide a stunning backdrop for any occasion.

Another gift option from the China Cabin is a membership to the Landmarks Society, which manages and maintains the Cabin and other historic sites on the Tiburon Peninsula in Marin County. This membership includes access to historic publications, botanical and architectural tours, concerts, lectures, and exhibits.

In short, a gift from the China Cabin is a unique and thoughtful way to celebrate the history and grandeur of the Victorian era. From historic publications and tours to a rental of the elegant drawing room for a special event, the China Cabin offers a variety of gift options that are sure to delight.

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