Mission Statement The mission of the Victorian Preservation Center of Oakland is to  interpret the East Bay in the later nineteenth century. The Center seeks to accomplish this goal by promoting the study of material culture of the era and the social and economic life of Oakland, the East Bay and the San Francisco Bay Area as represented by the Cohen Bray House.

The uniqueness of this house, what makes it stand out above all others is that it is still lived in by members of the original family. They with the help of the friends and the professionals on the board have made the effort to preserve and protect the original interiors. You will find the furniture, wallpaper, pictures, rugs and personal items such as diaries, shopping lists and wedding presents are still in their places. Tours also include family stories of the neighbor hood and what life was like since the house was built in 1884.