Author to speak on how Sarah Winchester used land around Mystery House

Agricultural mystery

When the Winchester Mystery House celebrated its 100th anniversary two years ago, Robin Chapman was one of several historians asked to speak to mark the centennial. Intrigued by what Sarah Winchester had done with the acreage surrounding the mansion, Chapman embarked on a research project. She will share her findings in “A Winchester Mystery in the Valley of Heart’s Delight,” on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Los Altos History Museum

“Sarah was very wise in her use of the land as an investment, and a wise steward of the Winchester fortune,” Chapman said in a release. “The original property had about 40 acres, and she acquired more and more over the years. What she did with that land is the story I will tell.”

Chapman is the author of a California history trilogy—”California Apricots: The Lost Orchards of Silicon Valley,” “Historic Bay Area Visionaries” and “The Valley of Heart’s Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay.”

Admission is $15; museum members are admitted free. Space is limited; advance registration is required at losaltoshistory.org/aWinchesterMystery.

Imagination Library

The Santa Clara County Library District is partnering with the Mountain View Public Library and the Palo Alto City Library, among others, to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to young readers in the county. This worldwide effort mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children under age 5 every month, with a goal of sparking a lifetime love of reading.

All children under age 5 living in Santa Clara County are invited to be part of the free program. Books arrive approximately eight to 12 weeks after registration. Children will continue to receive a new book every month until their fifth birthday.

To participate, families can sign up their children ages 0-5 at sccld.org/imaginationlibrary.