Woodside: Committee wants input on restoring Folger Stable to former elegance Woodside: Committee wants input on restoring Folger Stable to former elegance (March 30, 2005)

By Marion Softky

Almanac Staff Writer

The dream of restoring the historic Folger Stable in Wunderlich Park to its 100-year-old elegance as a center of the horse-and-carriage way of life on the Peninsula's great estates is coming up to a reality check.

The Folger Stable Committee, which has been working for three years on the project, wants to know if there is enough support in the community to raise the $5 million needed to restore the run-down building to its turn-of-the-century elegance.

"It's a symbol of a way of life, a society that depended on horses," said Bill Lane of Portola Valley to about 50 supporters at a recent workshop in Woodside. "You have the best riding of any place in the world. It should appeal way beyond the boundaries of Woodside."

Built in 1904 by James Folger II, son of the coffee magnate, the massive stables still hold the magnificence of a long-gone era. You can still find pink marble baseboards, gas chandeliers, three fireplaces, and four large skylights to let in natural light.

The architect was Arthur Brown Jr., better known for Hoover Tower, the San Francisco Opera House, San Francisco City Hall, Coit Tower, and parts of Filoli.

And horses still board in the historic stable near the entrance to Wunderlich County Park. At present the stable is not open to the public.

In April 2004, the Folger Estate Stable was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, together with the adjacent carriage house, cold house, and stone walls.

After three years of work, the Folger Stable Committee, a branch of the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks, has forged partnerships with San Mateo County and community members to launch and maintain the project -- if funds can be raised.

Plans call for repairs, seismic upgrades, and restoration of the main stables and associated buildings; maintaining the boarding and training stable; and opening the non-horse part of the stables for limited public educational use by groups such as school children.

After holding five community workshops in January and February, Susan Lang, co-chair of the Folger Stable Committee, is still seeking input into the project. She would like to hear people's ideas and concerns, and find if there is enough public support to go forward with a major campaign to raise $5 million.

Ms. Lang also hopes to reach "people who have memorabilia or anecdotal information about the stable or turn-of-the-century equestrian Woodside."

Anyone interested may call Ms. Lang at 368-6575.

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