The Hellman Family of San Francisco has presented California State Parks with a $100,000 donation to support the restoration efforts of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate at Lake Tahoe. The mansion is located within Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.

“The leadership and vision of the Hellman family is a prime example of Californians taking an active role in the future of our State Parks,” Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks said in a press release. “We thank them for their generous donation which will significantly help with our restoration efforts.”

In the late 1800s, internationally known West Coast banker Isaias W. Hellman visited the promontory location on the West Shore known as Sugar Pine Point. In 1903, he constructed his majestic estate, the mansion known as Pine Lodge, as a summer retreat for his family. After his death, his daughter Florence Ehrman enjoyed the property for many more years. In 1965, Pine Lodge and its surrounding estate were sold to the California to become Sugar Pine Point State Park. Today, about 108 years after the mansion was built, Hellman’s descendants have become an instrumental factor in ensuring the legacy of the historic property continues for the people of the California.

In recent years, due to severe funding cutbacks, California State Parks has not been able to finance the critical repairs and restoration needs for the Pine Lodge Estate. These repairs include electrical system upgrades, installation of a fire alarm system, repair and plastering of deteriorating ceilings and walls, window replacements, and foundation repairs. This critical grant will allow the much needed restoration efforts to proceed and assure that the Hellman-Ehrman Estate will continue to be an important part of our California landscape for generations to come.

The Sierra State Parks Foundation, the nonprofit established to promote the interpretive, educational and restoration efforts of the California State Parks in the Tahoe/Truckee region, will be managing the grant and is looking for other private partners to join with the Hellman family in fully funding the restoration efforts.

For more information of the restoration efforts of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate and other historic properties in stewardship with California State Parks in the Lake Tahoe region, contact Heidi Doyle at (530) 583.3074 or hdoyle@parks,ca.gov or the Sierra State Parks Foundation at (530) 583.1017 or info@sierraspf.org.

Tours of the home are offered daily from Memorial Day weekend through September.