A tourist attraction that has been on our list is the Heritage Square Museum.  From the 110 freeway, you can see a few eclectic looking houses, especially one painted different colors.  It catches your attention and after one of Taro’s friends visited it and told us about it, we were intrigued to find out more in person.  So on a hot, Saturday day, that is where we went.  We were probably crazy to go on a warm afternoon, especially since part of the tour is outdoors.  However, despite it being old, Victorian houses, it was relatively cool inside the preserved houses and during the hour long tour, we learned about the early settlement and development of Southern California.  What I found really interesting was seeing how different classes lived; we were able to view an upper class home, a middle class home, and a lower class home.  Each had different features, ranging from private, hidden staircases reserved for servants, different flooring to indicate wealth, and fixtures, even down to the hinges.  In addition, there was an Octagon House that despite its shape, seemed relatively normal from the inside (minus the room with multiple doors).  I loved how I was taken to a different era just by stepping into these houses.  I felt like I was in Mr. Rochester’s house with crazy Bertha locked away upstairs (That is what I get for teaching Jane Eyre for so many years!).

If you get the chance, I would recommend visiting the Heritage Square Museum just to learn a little more about the city/county we live in.  It is a fascinating place, especially with the tour guides dressed up in costume!