Folsom's beloved Murer House launches campaign to build new community learning center

Folsom has no shortage of history, but few places wear it quite as warmly as the Murer House and Gardens on Joe Murer Court. Built in 1925 by Giuseppe "Joe" Murer, a carpenter who arrived from Crespano del Grappa, Italy, at age 21 with big dreams and serious woodworking skills, the Italianate home has been feeding, teaching and gathering the community for decades. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and connected to Folsom's Sister City relationship with Pieve del Grappa, Italy, the site is far more than a pretty piece of history — it is a living, breathing cultural hub offering Italian language and cooking classes, bocce tournaments, lavender and camellia celebrations, and garden programs rooted in century-old walnut, hazelnut and fruit trees that still supply ingredients for the kitchen today. The only problem? The current learning center has simply outgrown itself. Demand for programs has surged, and the existing facility can no longer keep pace with a community that clearly cannot get enough of fresh pasta and bocce. The Murer House Foundation, the nonprofit that has operated the site on behalf of the City of Folsom since 1997, has launched a capital campaign to construct a modern learning center featuring expanded classroom space, a commercial kitchen built for serious culinary instruction and improved facilities for staff and volunteers. Architectural plans are already in place, and the vision is bold — preserve the 1920s character of the property while building something worthy of the next hundred years. Community members who want to be part of the story can attend the Foundation's Festa and Learning Center Fundraising Dinner on Thursday, June 25, at Bacchus House in Folsom, featuring dinner, raffles and a silent auction. Tax-deductible donations are also accepted online and by mail at Murer House Foundation, 1125 Joe Murer Court, Folsom, CA 95630. For tickets, information and to donate, visit murerhousefoundation.org or call 916-413-9231.