Kimberly Crest House & Gardens

"Skip the tie this year—give Dad an experience he'll remember."

Give Dad the gift of history, beauty, and time spent together. Join us for a docent-led tour of Kimberly Crest's historic petite French Château estate, built in 1897.

Stroll through beautifully landscaped Italian-style gardens, discover the fascinating stories of the Kimberly family, and experience one of Redlands' most treasured historic landmarks.

Whether Dad enjoys history, architecture, gardens, or simply creating lasting memories with family, Kimberly Crest offers a unique and memorable way to celebrate Father's Day.

📍 Father’s Day Tours at Kimberly Crest House & Gardens are selling quickly - Purchase your tickets in advance at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/kimberlycrest

A Grandfather's Gilded Age Success Story

Mary Kimberly-Shirk's maternal grandfather, James Davis Cheney, was born in Vermont in 1817 to a farming family of modest means. His formal education ended at age 10, yet by the time of his death in 1903, he was considered one of the wealthiest men in Indiana.

At just 11 years old, Cheney began working as a clerk in a general store. Soon afterward, his father sold the family's possessions and moved west in search of opportunity. Traveling by wagon through New York and along the shores of Lake Erie, the family eventually settled in Toledo, Ohio.

One of Cheney's first successful ventures was as a dry goods merchant. Ambitious and entrepreneurial, he looked beyond small-town commerce for greater opportunities. When construction began on the Erie Canal - one of America's greatest engineering achievements of the era - Cheney secured contracts to supply the builders. This work introduced him to some of the nation's most influential businessmen, including railroad magnate and financier Jay Gould, one of the prominent figures of the Gilded Age.

Over the course of his career, Cheney found success in railroads, gas and cable companies, banking, land speculation, and real estate development.

When Cheney passed away, Mary Kimberly-Shirk was 22 years old. His fortune was so substantial that he once reportedly boasted to a friend that he could leave $100,000 to each of his grandchildren—and he had 18 grandchildren at the time!

From humble beginnings to extraordinary wealth, James Davis Cheney's story reflects the ambition, opportunity, and transformation that defined America's Gilded Age.

In 1849, Mary Kimberly-Shirk's paternal grandfather, John Robbins Kimberly, moved his family (including Mary's 10-year old father, John A. Kimberly, future co-founder of Kimberly-Clark Company) from Troy, New York, to Neenah, Wisconsin. Traveling by way of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes to Chicago, the family then continued on to Wisconsin. Little did anyone know of the future connection the Kimberly family would have with the Erie Canal—stay tuned for Part II of our Grandfather Series!

Known as the White House or Double House, the family's home stood on the banks of the Fox River. One of the first residences of its kind in the area, the 19-room duplex was shared by John and his brother, Harvey Kimberly, and their families. Together, the brothers operated a general store and later built the first privately owned flour mill in Neenah. Over time, they became among the city's most prominent and successful businessmen.

During the 1850s, Neenah was still considered part of the American frontier landscape long inhabited by Indigenous peoples. Family recollections describe members of nearby Indigenous communities occasionally pausing outside the house to observe and listen as the Kimberly daughters sang and played the piano.

Given the challenges of frontier life, including limited transportation and communication, the brothers believed their families would benefit from living near one another. However, the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 brought a serious disagreement between the brothers over the issue of slavery, leading Harvey to move out of the shared home. A member of the Kimberly family would reside in the house for the next 131 years.

In its heyday, the home welcomed many notable visitors, including governors, members of Congress, and aviator Amelia Earhart who visited in 1935. In the mid-1950s, Mary's brother, James Kimberly, purchased and then donated the house to the Neenah-Menasha Visiting Nurse Association who occupied it for nearly 40 years. Today the historic home is a private residence.

Mary Kimberly-Shirk was seven years old when her grandfather passed away in 1888 at the age of 87.

-ClarkCo

Thinking about having a photo session at Kimberly Crest? Appointments are required! Take a look at our calendar, discuss with your photographer, and book! It's as easy as that. Go to kimberlycrest.org/photography to see options and book now, because time slots fill up fast!

Kimberly Crest - Kimberly Crest House & Gardens Kimberly Crest is open to the public to walk and explore the grounds. For the comfort and peace of mind of all guests, pets are not allowed on site; service

The deadline to apply to be a Kimberly Crest docent is coming up!

Kimberly Crest - Kimberly Crest House & Gardens Kimberly Crest is open to the public to walk and explore the grounds. For the comfort and peace of mind of all guests, pets are not allowed on site; service

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our 2026 Parisian Afternoon Tea on the Terrace Sponsors

Kimberly Crest House & Gardens extends our sincere gratitude to the generous sponsors who helped make the 2026 Parisian Afternoon Tea on the Terrace fundraiser such a beautiful and memorable success. Your support not only created a wonderful afternoon of elegance, community, and hospitality, but also directly supports the preservation, care, and continued stewardship of this treasured historic estate.

Because of your partnership, Kimberly Crest can continue to inspire and serve our community through history, education, gardens, and cultural programs for generations to come.
Thank you for investing in the legacy of Kimberly Crest and helping us keep history alive.

Kimberly Crest House & Gardens is pleased to announce that a new docent training course is set to begin on June 10, 2026. Kimberly Crest docents are integral members of our volunteer team, playing a key role in enriching the visitor experience by conducting regularly scheduled public tours, private group tours, and assisting at special events and programs.

Our docents bring to life the story of Kimberly Crest and its remarkable historic collections. An ideal docent candidate is a lifelong learner eager to engage and connect with visitors from around the world.

Apply by clicking this link before the June 3rd deadline -
Submit your application at kimberlycrest.org/contact/volunteer

Kimberly Crest - Kimberly Crest House & Gardens Kimberly Crest is open to the public to walk and explore the grounds. For the comfort and peace of mind of all guests, pets are not allowed on site; service

We’re delighted to congratulate Old California Botanicals (OCB) on an extraordinary international achievement.

OCB recently received eight medals at the prestigious World Marmalade Awards in the United Kingdom, with every marmalade they entered earning recognition among nearly 3,000 submissions from 34 countries.

As a partner grower, we are especially proud that the Eureka Lemon Marmalade -- made with fruit grown at Kimberly Crest -- received a Bronze Medal. 🍋

Lemons used for this award-winning marmalade were tree ripened and hand-picked in our 128-year-old grove. It’s wonderful to see fruit from this historic landscape, grown in the same gardens visitors enjoy today, celebrated on an international stage.

And there’s more to come. Additional marmalade flavors made with fruit from Kimberly Crest’s groves will arrive later this spring through a partnership with Old California Botanicals.

Please join us in congratulating OCB on this remarkable accomplishment. A sweet taste of Redlands history.

🎥 Watch their announcement reel on Instagram at Old California Botanicals forniabotanicals.