Welcome to "R" House

The Rengstorff House is Mountain View's oldest historic house. It is one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture on the west coast.

This house museum hosts many Victorian events in grand style with its elaborate Victorian antiques located though out this historic house. The antique furnishings and wall & ceiling treatments by Bradbury & Bradbury make this a true Victorian home that is not to be missed. House tours are available by docents dressed in elegant period costumes and guests are invited to stroll through its English gardens during public hours.

Check our Events Calendar to find out when our public events are scheduled.

Located inside Shoreline at Mountain View, the Rengstorff House is surrounded by a sailing lake, wetlands and bird sanctuary.

Rengstorff

A Pioneer Family

Henry Rengstorff grew up in Germany, where his father owned and operated a country tavern near Bremen. Like so many others of his generation, young Henry was lured to California by stories of the Gold Rush. He left home at the age of 21, sailed around Cape Horn, and arrived in San Francisco in 1850. Too late to join in the Gold Rush, he took a job on a bay steamer traveling between San Francisco and Alviso.

Later, Rengstorff left shipping to work as a farm laborer in Santa Clara Valley, where he saved enough money to purchase squatter's rights to 290 acres of land in San Jose. Just three years later, he added another 290 acres to his holdings. As Rengstorff's fortune grew, so did his land holdings. He raised grain and hay near Milpitas, kept cattle in San Mateo and planted fruit trees in Los Altos.

In 1864, Rengstorff bought the 164 acres of land which is now part of Shoreline Business Park, located a quarter mile north of Bayshore Freeway. There he built the Rengstorff House.

He met and married Christine Hassler, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. The Rengstorff home reverberated with the sounds of their children: Mary, John, Elise, Helena, Christine, Henry and Charles. Near where the house stands today, Rengstorff built a ship landing. The Rengstorff Landing played a significant role in the economic development of Mountain View and the Peninsula. Prospering farmers exported their lumber, fruits and grains. Returning ships brought hardware and building supplies for the growing region. An original journal from the Rengstorff Landing was discovered in the house during its restoration.

When Rengstorff died in 1906 at age 77, his daughter Elise Rengstorff Haag and her husband moved into the family home, bringing with them Perry Askam, the orphaned son of Elise's sister, Helena Rengstorff Askam. Perry inherited the house after his aunt died.

In 1959, Askam sold the house to a land development company. A succession of owners held the property over the next 20 years.

In 1979, the house was purchased by the City of Mountain View, eventually moved to its present site and restored. In March 1991, the Rengstorff House was dedicated as a public facility by Mountain View's City Council.

Rental Information

The Rengstorff House and gardens are available for rental every day except during our public hours, which are every Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Included in the rental fee is the use of the entire first floor of this historic Victorian home, which includes a gracious dining room and three lovely parlors, all decorated with classic period decor. Cozy fireplaces, a fully equipped, modern catering kitchen, rest rooms and dressing area are also available. The beautifully landscaped gardens offer outdoor splendor with lawns, year-round blooming flowers and spacious brick patios. Also nearby are the Shoreline Golf Links and Shoreline Sailing Lake.

The maximum capacity of the House using only the indoor areas is 60 people. Using both the indoor and outdoor areas, the House and grounds can accommodate up to 125 guests and is wheelchair-accessible.

Liability Coverage

All fees and liability insurance, including endorsement to your policy naming the City of Mountain View, its agents, officers and employees as additional insured, must be submitted to the Rengstorff House coordinator at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.  Such a policy and endorsement can usually be obtained through the renter's homeowner, business or corporate insurance policy quickly and at a nominal fee.

Special Event Liability Insurance requirements may include the following:

1.     Insurance Carrier must have an AM Best Rating of A:VII.

2.     Insurance is to be primary and non-contributory

3.     Liquor Liability Insurance if alcohol is being served

4.     Premises, Products, & Personal/Advertising Injury.

5.     Limits of $1,000,000 Occurence and $2,000,000 Aggregate.

Follow this button to inquire for general information regarding Special Event Liability Insurance.