About the Historic Rengstorff House

Welcome to the historic Rengstorff House, Mountain View’s oldest home and one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture on the West Coast! We are located at 3070 N. Shoreline Boulevard.

The Rengstorff House is available for rent every day of the week except during public tour times, and is a popular wedding venue from April through October. The venue now also offers reduced-use of the facility in the months of November through March.

For more information on public tours, please visit the Rengstorff House Tours page.

Architecture 

Fully restored in 1991, the Rengstorff House features: a Victorian Italianate design with a hip roof; a central gable crowned by a widow's walk; a front portico; and a symmetrical room layout. The portico is flanked with built up square columns that support a classical entablature: capital, architrave, frieze, brackets and cornice. The gracious dining room and four lovely parlors downstairs, all decorated with classic period décor, open up to brick patios surrounded by manicured lawns, blooming flowers and natural areas.

Saved from destruction and then beautifully furnished by a community-based organization known as the Friends of "R" House, the facility features ornate brass chandeliers, plaster rosettes, push-button light switches, Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper designs and Eastlake furniture. The 12-room, 3,955 square foot structure is graced with 11-foot ceilings on the first floor and 10-foot ceilings on the second story.

Historical Highlights

After being occupied by the Rengstorff family and its successive generations circa 1867 until 1959, the Rengstorff House was sold to a land holding company and became a rental unit. A fire occurred in 1972, which made the residence unlivable. After sitting in major disrepair, a group called the Friends of "R" House petitioned to save Mountain View's oldest home. In order to save it, the house was relocated two times and boasts the designation of having been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, reference number 78000778. The house was first moved in 1977 into what is now known as Shoreline at Mountain View, a 750-acre wildlife and recreation area. The house was moved a second time in 1986; and following a $1.25 million restoration project, was opened to the public in 1991. 

Saving the Rengstorff House

Shoreline at Mountain View and the historic Rengstorff House are pleased to re-release the following documentary videos describing the house's original owner as well as the tremendous efforts put forth saving Mountain View's oldest home.

Part 1: Henry Rengstorff

Part 2: The Restoration Story

Acknowledgements: Our gratitude is extended to volunteer videographer Jennifer Fey; the Bay Area News Group; the Friends of "R" House; and many former staff and volunteers.