McConaghy House

History and class all in one. This is a little gem that has always been there next to Kennedy park. Got a private tour and the xmas décor was still up. After an extensive renovation and inventory its up and running. So happy this place is still here as it brings me happy childhood memories. Visit the house then take the kids on the train ride next door.

This is a great Victorian house for anyone interested in that era. Although it was a working farm at one time, they did have a servant to help out so the house has a servant’s staircase and bedroom just like many much grander houses of the era. The original carriage house remains out back. The house was kept in the family of the original builders for three generations. I was a docent here a long time ago and really developed an appreciation for Victorian style and architecture. I also had a paranormal experience here long ago that helped form my interest in ghosts, etc. The experience I had was not what I would call a positive one but after returning with the Voices from the Past investigators I realized this is just a family that loves their home and isn’t interested in leaving any time soon. Mary just doesn’t like people going into her bedroom. When you visit, say hello to Mary, John and Florence and tell them how much you enjoy visiting their lovely home. If you believe in that sort of thing.

This historic house is a must see for anyone who is interested in history or who wonders what life was like for their ancestors. I have been here a few times, and have enjoyed it – every time I opened the door and stepped in to the 19^th century.
A visit to this 12 room farm house in December, when is so festively decorated, is now part of my Christmas tradition. There is so much to see that it takes me several hours to peer in the rooms and try to see everything that fills them.
The gift shop, that is run by the Hayward Historical Society, has many gift items that are reasonably priced.

We came here randomly and off-​season just because we were curious. It was $ 3 for adults and a great way to spend an hour. The two tour guides gave us a really warm welcome and were very friendly and informative about the house’s history and life during that era. Though not a lot of the items actually belong to McConaughey, still interesting to see the knick knacks, furniture, cookware, etc that they used during that time. It’s a great little slice of history in Hayward.

Although we have only been here during the Christmas season, we have been here at least 8 – 10 times. Every December this historic home is decorated for an 1886 Victorian style Christmas.
Each year they have a different theme. Every room in the house is decorated for the holidays. Wonderful docents dressed in period costumes take you on a tour of the house and tell you about Victorian customs.
The dining room with it’s table all set for guests is festooned with decorations and presents hanging from the ceiling with ribbons. When
the Victorian guests came to visit they would cut a present from the ceiling.
The entire house gives you the illusion the family has just stepped out.
It is so warm and welcoming, it is easy to feel as if you have stepped into the past. I’m always ready to sit down at that dining room table
and cut one of the little gifts hanging from the ceiling.
The kids rooms have toys spread out on the floor. Although the rooms
are roped off you can still get a very good view of things. (Hmm…they’re probably roped off so big kids like me don’t get tempted to sit on the rug and play with the puzzles, trains or dolls!)
Sweet and extremely appealing gift «boutique» with Victorian themed
ornaments, toys, and inexpensive gifts and books.
We have made the McConaghy house a part of our Christmas tradition.
Open only on weekends. Check their website for info.
Embarassing footnote: Despite having gone on nearly 10 tours of
this lovely house and hearing the extremely dedicated docents tell
stories about Victorian Christmases each year, we seem to always
forget why Santa Claus’s outfit used to be white.