Volunteer Information

History of the Steinbeck House

"On an impulse he turned off Main Street and walked up Central Avenue to number 130... it was an immaculate and friendly house, grand enough but not pretentious, and it sat inside its white fence surrounded by its clipped lawn and roses and cotoneasters lapped against its walls.": - John Steinbeck, East of Eden

The Steinbeck House restaurant opened February 27, 1974 on John Steinbeck's birthday. The house is the birthplace and boyhood home of John Steinbeck, 1940 Pulitzer Prize winner for Grapes of Wrath, and 1962 Nobel Prize recipient for literature. After several years of private ownership, the house was remodeled by the Newman Federation of Hartnell College. The historic home was purchased from the diocese of Monterey in 1973 and restored to Victorian elegance by Valley Guild.

The Valley Guild was organized in 1971 by a group of eight, civic-minded, enthusiastic women who shared a common interest in gourmet cooking. They decided to use their talents to organize a luncheon-only restaurant, with profits to go to local charities. They found a suitable building, architecturally and historically, in the 15 room Steinbeck House. Eighty-one guild members raised over $80,000 in 49 days in a valley-wide fund drive in order to restore and preserve this fine Salinas Valley landmark.

Authenticity has been maintained, with dining areas completely refurbished and beautifully decorated. There are many family photographs, memorabilia and some furniture, recently donated by the Steinbeck family. Dining at this large frame Victorian house is a unique California experience.

Get Involved in Your History

The Valley guild is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of areas and donations are gratefully accepted. To get involved in the Steinbeck House, call (831) 424-2735.

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