Tea House Escape
One of my favorite escapes is visiting the Japanese Tea House located in the main Piedmont Park on Highland Avenue in central Piedmont.
This beautiful and serene dwelling is surrounded by huge redwoods, camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. There are benches facing the tea house where you can relax in private contemplation. It's almost always empty of people, except for an occasional dog walker or runner.
The original tea house was built in 1907 and was at the time, the largest tea house in the United States. It was a replica of the fifteenth century Silver Pavilion in Kyoto. Besides the tea house, there was a koi pond, a moon bridge,and Japanese style gardens. The original was torn down in 1920. In 1976, it was replaced by a tea house belonging to a prominent Piedmont family which was moved to its present site in the park.
Across the lawn sits the Mediterranean style Piedmont Community Hall. This lovely building, with its chandeliers and glistening hardwood floors, is often rented for weddings and private parties. The tea house serves as an adjacent building for hors oeuvres and beverages.
The original tea house was built in 1907 and was at the time, the largest tea house in the United States. It was a replica of the fifteenth century Silver Pavilion in Kyoto. Besides the tea house, there was a koi pond, a moon bridge,and Japanese style gardens. The original was torn down in 1920. In 1976, it was replaced by a tea house belonging to a prominent Piedmont family which was moved to its present site in the park.
Across the lawn sits the Mediterranean style Piedmont Community Hall. This lovely building, with its chandeliers and glistening hardwood floors, is often rented for weddings and private parties. The tea house serves as an adjacent building for hors oeuvres and beverages.
These buildings are just one of the many suprises one can find in the East Bay.
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