Historic Folsom Christmas Cottage returns for another year of holiday magic

by Samantha Davidson, Rotary Club of Folsom

FOLSOM- Holiday spirit is once again on full display in Historic Downtown Folsom as the beloved Historic Folsom Christmas Cottage returns for its second year beside the festive ice-skating rink. What appears to visitors as Santa’s cozy Christmastime home is, behind the scenes, a remarkable story of craftsmanship, collaboration, and Rotary dedication.

The modular cottage, designed to be fully disassembled, stored, and rebuilt each season, was first unveiled last year as a gift to the Christmas in Folsom Foundation. Its creation stemmed from the vision of Bacchus House Wine Bar & Bistro owner Eric Adams, the early concept drawings by Scott and Lynn Baker, and the exceptional workmanship of Rotarian John Messner, who engineered and handcrafted every modular section himself in his home garage.

Using his own tools, woodworking expertise, and meticulous engineering skills, Messner volunteered countless hours to ensure every component was built with precision. Before construction began on site, Messner and fellow Rotarians conducted a detailed site survey to determine the exact footprint of the cottage.

When the structure arrived in Historic Folsom, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Folsom assembled the cottage with John’s guidance, aided by his thoughtful engineering that made the process unfold with surprising ease. A contracted crane and operator assisted with placing the roof sections, and volunteers described the build as incredibly smooth, noting each piece fit together flawlessly.

Funding for the materials was provided primarily by the Rotary Club of Folsom, with generous support from Folsom Lake Rotary, the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom, Bacchus House Wine Bar & Bistro, Snooks Chocolates, Adrian Blanco Jewelry, Visconti’s, Mike and Pam McAtee, Folsom Times, and additional sponsors who rallied behind the Christmas in Folsom Foundation.

Much of the holiday décor was supplied by Bacchus House Wine Bar & Bistro, while Scott and Lynn Baker added the furnishings, seasonal details, and lighting that helped transform the cottage into Santa’s welcoming holiday retreat.

Now standing proudly for its second year, the Historic Folsom Christmas Cottage continues to bring joy to families, delight children, and add a festive spark to the district. Beyond offering a picturesque holiday backdrop, it serves as a symbol of community spirit, friendship, service, and the joy of giving back.

Thanks to the extraordinary craftsmanship of John Messner, the efforts of dedicated Rotary volunteers, and the vision of Eric Adams and the team at Bacchus House Wine Bar & Bistro, Santa’s home in Historic Folsom is poised to spread holiday cheer for years to come.

One of Santa’s most meaningful traditions at the cottage is hosting a special evening each year for children with special needs, with plans underway to add an event dedicated to foster youth in future seasons. The cottage also serves as a drop-off site for donations benefiting Twin Lakes Food Bank and Powerhouse Ministries.

Santa will make a special appearance on December 5, 2025, at 6 p.m., followed by the lighting of the Historic Folsom Christmas Tree at 7:30 p.m., continuing one of the community’s most cherished holiday traditions.