The grounds of the iconic Chapman Estate in Shell Beach are back open just in time for the spring and summer months ahead. For those who walk down Ocean Boulevard in the seaside town, it’s hard to ignore the historical and gated property.
“People say, ‘I’ve walked by here for years and I’ve always wondered about what’s in there?’ so it’s an opportunity to get inside the gates, walk around and see what the property and the ocean vistas look like,” said Chapman Estate docent Toni Kincaid.
The Chapman Estate is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come Fridays from 5-7 and enjoy acoustic music. Guests can enter the property for $5 and for another $5, there is a docent-led tour available on Thursdays and Fridays.
“We talk about the striking tuberous begonia collection. We also discuss the history of the property. The oldest structure in Shell Beach, The Gull Cottage was once occupied by an artist. The Rodgers family, who built the primary residence, bought the three-lot parcel for $10 back in 1929. People always love hearing about that one,” Kincaid said.
Public visiting hours will continue through the end of October.
If you want to spend more than a few hours at the Estate, mark your calendars for Swingin’ by the Sea on the afternoon of September 21. Guests will enjoy food, live music, plein air artists plus live and silent auctions. Tickets will be $100 for chair or $125 for reserved table seating.
For more information, visit chapmanestatefoundation.org.
About The Chapman Foundation
The Chapman Estate Foundation’s mission supports cultural experiences and provides for the preservation of the Estate while honoring Clifford Chapman’s legacy.