"Elmshaven"
"Elmshaven", in St. Helena, California, also know as Ellen White's House was a home of Ellen G. White from 1900 until her death in 1915. This Victorian home was built in 1885 by Robert H. Pratt and was initially known as the Robert Pratt Place. White purchased the home in 1900, naming it "Elmshaven" after the row of Elm trees at its front. In 1993, the National Park Service designated Elmshaven as a National Historic Landmark, citing that Elmshaven, home of author Ellen G. White, “possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America”.
Robert Pratt
In the gold-rush days of 1849 and 1850, three Pratt brothers, Robert, George and William, of Freeport, Maine, traveled by sailing ship to San Francisco, each seeking a fortune. Only modestly successful in mining, the men, all in their twenties, turned to raising stock, farming, and building. In so doing they accumulated considerable property in northern California.
In 1871, William purchased valley land in Napa county, north of Glass Mountain -- an abandoned Indian stronghold -- and subsequently divided it with his brother Robert. Robert's half included the Elmshaven property. Each brother shared a half interest in the remarkably reliable Crystal Spring on the side of Howell Mountain. George became a successful vineyardist in St. Helena. William continued farming and joined the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1873. In 1877, he helped establish a medical institution known as The Rural Health Retreat, contributing ten acres of his hillside land, his half interest in Crystal Spring, and financial backing. The Health retreat was later renamed St. Helena Hospital and Health Center (St. Helena Hospital Napa Valley), which still delivers medical care within walking distance of Elmshaven.
Robert Pratt turned to railroad interests and was involved in constructing the rail lines across the Sierras, Later he filled the position of Assistant General Superintendent of the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was while thus engaged that he constructed as a family vacation home this well-built residence now know as Elmshaven.
In early 1900, with children grown and gone, the "Robert Pratt Place", as it was know, with its 74 acres and half interest in Crystal Spring, was put up for sale. The Rural Health Retreat manager, John A. Burden, hard pressed for an adequate water supply for the institution and needing valley land for sewage disposal and for a site for a health food factory quickly arranged for the Health Retreat to purchase the property. At the time, he did not know what he would do with the residence and the remaining portion of the farm. this problem was soon solved, however, with the arrival of Ellen White and her company in the fall of that year.
Ellen G. White
Historian Randall Balmer has described her as "one of the more important and colorful figures in the history of American religion". Arthur L. White, her grandson and biographer, writes that Ellen G. White is the most translated female non-fiction author in the history of literature, as well as the most translated American non-fiction author of either gender.
Her writings covered creationism, agriculture, theology, evangelism, Christian lifestyle, education and health. She advocated a plant based diet. She promoted the establishment of schools and medical centers. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 60 books.
"Elmshaven" now
After White’s death Elmshaven was sold, but soon was acquired by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Approximately 7,000 people now tour the home each year. Today, Elmshaven is still open for tours every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.