"I wouldn't necessarily draw a parallel between her and Sarah Winchester," says Willow Glen author Nancy Newlin, whose book about the Hayes Chynoweth family and their turn-of-the-century mansion is in its second edition. "Mary's power was a healing one. She had a special gift that she used to make people's lives better." There was only one period in her life when she ever took money for it--when her sons Everis and Jay were both in college.

As compelling as Chynoweth's life was, Newlin's initial interest was in her family's 41,000-square-foot mansion, which sits on six acres on Edenvale Avenue, about 10 miles outside of downtown San Jose. Newlin, who has served on the board of the San Jose Preservation Action Council, first visited the mansion in 1989, when the city of San Jose was developing plans to turn it into a conference center.

"I went to the library for more information and found out no one had written a book on the Hayes mansion," Newlin says.

The release of the first edition of Newlin's The Gem of Edenvale: The Historic Hayes Mansion of San Jose, California coincided with the June 1994 opening of the mansion as a conference center. Newlin, who self-published the book, released the second edition in time for the centennial celebration of the Hayes mansion, which was built in 1905. Newlin will give a talk at the July 10 celebration.

Copies of her book have been placed in each of the mansion's 214 guest rooms, and each book contains a postcard with information about the conference center. Newlin says this cross-marketing should help boost sales on both sides.

"A lot of people don't know about the mansion, and these books are hopefully going all across the country," she says. "We're trying to raise awareness through the centennial."

The centennial celebration will also feature the dedication of a piano donated by Peggy Campbell, Chynoweth's great-great-granddaughter. The 1879 grand piano came into Campbell's hands in 1954, when the Hayes family gathered to draw lots for the furniture after the mansion was sold.

In writing her book, Newlin interviewed several of Chynoweth's descendants, from whom she received numerous documents and family photos. She had a more difficult time gathering information about architect George W. Page, who designed the Hayes mansion as well as numerous other buildings in San Jose and across California.

"George Page was the hardest person to research," Newlin says. "I tried to pin down the numerous places he'd been."

Newlin has nothing but praise for the city officials and community activists who pushed for the mansion's conversion to a conference center.

"If people hadn't rallied, the mansion wouldn't be here," she says. "I hope people realize that it's necessary to preserve our built heritage."

The centennial celebration for the Dolce Hayes Mansion is set for July 10, 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the mansion, 200 Edenvale Ave. Although this event is free, seating is limited. For reservations, call 408.362.2328.

"The Gem of Edenvale: The Historic Hayes Mansion of San Jose, California" by Nancy Newlin is available at Willow Glen Books.