Craftsman Events December 2009

ART EXCURSION: SAN DIEGO MID-CENTURY MODERN HOME TOUR
DEC. 12

Experience San Diego Modernism as reflected in the region’s art, architecture and design in this home tour sponsored by the Mingei International Museum. Visit homes, from Mt. Helix to the beach, designed by stellar local architects including Lloyd Ruocco, Loch Crane and John Mock, as well as the only local project by legendary L.A. designer Craig Ellwood. The four featured homes, painstakingly restored, offer authentic indoor and outdoor experiences, carefully selected furniture and numerous works by local artists, including John Dirks, Toza Radakovich, James Hubbell and many more. The cost is $65 for museum members, $85 for nonmembers. The price includes transportation, boxed lunch, wine and appetizers at one of the homes. Pickup location is Balboa Park. For information, call (619) 239-0003, Ext. 116.

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PASADENA HERITAGE
CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
DEC. 30

Enjoy a two-hour bus tour led by expert guides from Pasadena Heritage. You will see how Pasadena developed from a simple Indiana farm colony to the wealthiest resort community in the United States during the 1920s. Visit the Arroyo Seco, where it all started — home of the Rose Bowl. See Old Pasadena, the city’s original downtown and a model for revitalization. Visit architecturally distinguished neighborhoods filled with Victorian, Craftsman and Mediterranean-inspired homes.
The tour departs at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Cost is $40.

San Diego’s newest shopping destination for lovers of historic architecture, gardens and preservation is the Save Our Heritage Organisation Museum Shop at the Marston House & Gardens in Balboa Park. Located in a charming, 1905 carriage house, the shop offers visitors a distinctive mix of attractive gift items, Arts and Crafts furnishings and books that support the Museum’s educational mission while enhancing the Museum experience for tourists and San Diegans alike. Admission to the shop is free.

Visitors will find signature products created especially for SOHO that celebrate the estates history and the interests and legacy of the Marston family. An avid gardener, George W. Marston is best known as a visionary civic leader and philanthropist who is also considered San Diego’s first preservationist.

The 750-square-foot Craftsman-style carriage house, which has never been open to the public before, is paneled in warm redwood and features an original horse stall and handsome windows. It is cozily furnished with chairs from the Marston family to encourage visitors to sit and browse through the shop’s wide array of hard-to-find books and publications on regional architecture, home décor, gardening, nature and history.

“We also carry unique gift items that reflect SOHO’s dedication to education and advocacy in honor of our region’s historic resources,” said Alana Coons, the nonprofit group’s events and education director. “We’re very excited to be introducing items of lasting value that complement the property’s garden and decorative arts history.”

CORONADO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART
“Hotel del Coronado Tour”: The Coronado Museum of History and Art offers a one-hour, docent-led tour of the Hotel del Coroado and its history. It is the only tour to go inside the hotel. Make reservations through the Coronado Visitors Center by calling (619) 437-8788. The fee is $15. Tours run Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

“Promenade Through the Past”: Departs from the lobby of the Museum of History and Art, 1100 Orange Ave, Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Learn about some of Coronado’s famous buildings and architectural sites, including Tent City resort. Tour fee includes “Promenade through the Past – A Walking Tour Guidebook of Coronado” and covers admission into the Museum of History and Art. $10. (619) 437-8788. Reservations Required.

GAMBLE HOUSE
ONGOING, PASADENA
The David B. Gamble House, constructed in 1908, is an internationally recognized masterpiece of the turn-of-the-century Arts & Crafts movement in America. It is the most complete and original example of the work of architects Charles and Henry Greene and a National Historic Landmark. One-hour guided tours Thursday-Sunday noon to 3 p.m. Closed national holidays. General admission: $8; Students/65+: $5; Children under 12 with an adult, free. Group tours available by reservation. For information call (626) 793-3334.

MUSEUM OF ART
ONGOING, LONG BEACH
The museum home includes a splendid, imposing example of the Craftsman bungalow. Built in 1912 as the summer home of heiress Elizabeth Milbank Anderson, it has the natural materials and rugged texture of wood shingles and clinker brick. The prominent gables and projecting rafter beams, like the rest of the main house and carriage house, retain their original integrity. The style is echoed by similar homes in the nearby Bluff Park Historic District. 2300 E. Ocean Blvd. (562) 439-2119.

STANLEY RANCH MUSEUM
ONGOING, GARDEN GROVE
A California bungalow built in 1916 is one focal point of this two-acre property, home to some of Garden Grove’s oldest homes and business buildings. Phone the Garden Grove Historical Society at (714) 530-8871.

LUMMIS HOME MUSEUM
ONGOING, HIGHLAND PARK
The arroyo-stone home built by Charles Fletcher Lummis, founder of the Southwest Museum, is a state historic monument listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 200 E. Ave. 43. Friday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Free; donations accepted. For information, call (323) 222-0546.

LANTERMAN HOUSE TOUR
ONGOING, LA CANADA
The Craftsman-style house, built in 1914 by Arthur Haley, was the region’s first concrete residence. Located at 4420 Encinas Dr., it is open Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the first and third Sundays of the month, from 1-4 p.m. Adults, $3; students, $1; under 12, free. For more information, call (818) 790-1421.

HOMESTEAD MUSEUM
ONGOING, CITY OF INDUSTRY
Documenting a century of Southern California history, the six-acre museum features the Workman House, La Casa Nueva and El Campo Santo cemetery; 15415 E. Don Julian Road. Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. (626) 968-8492.

L.A. ART DECO TOURS
ONGOING, LOS ANGELES
Tours of downtown Los Angeles are led on Saturdays; $5 admission. For reservations, call (213) 623-CITY.

JUDSON STUDIOS
ONGOING, LOS ANGELES
The Judson Studios served as the turn-of-the-century core of the Arroyo Craftsman movement, located at 200 S. Ave. 66. For more information, call (800) 445-8376 or click on judsonstudios.com.

HERITAGE VILLAGE TOUR
ONGOING, CLAREMONT
The first Saturday of each month. The 1 3/4 hour walk begins at 10 a.m. in front of the Historic Claremont Metrolink Depot, 200 W. First St. (Walk is canceled if it’s raining at 8 a.m.) Call (909) 621-8871.

RIORDAN MANSION PARK
ONGOING, FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ.
One of Arizona’s best examples of Craftsman architecture, the mansion was designed by Charles Whittlesey and built as a duplex. Original furnishings, including pieces by Ellis, Stickley and Tiffany Studios, are found at the house museum. Guided, handicapped-accessible tours are held daily. The house is located at 409 Riordan Road. Further details are available at (520) 779-4395.

BOETTCHER MANSION
OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
ONGOING, GOLDEN, COLO.
Tour a 1917 Arts & Crafts mansion, a 10,000-square-foot summer home built by Charles Boettcher, famous Colorado entrepreneur. Dramatic cathedral ceilings with carved beams, massive stone walk-in fireplace, some original hardware and lighting. See permanent exhibit of early mansion photos and original blueprints, including an ink-on-linen drawing. Open all year, generally Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday varies. On 110 forested acres with views of the Continental Divide and the Colorado plains. Twenty minutes from Denver. Free for touring. Call (303) 526-0855.

MOSS MANSION
ONGOING, BILLINGS, MONT.
Nearly unchanged since 1903, Moss Mansion, designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, can be found on the National Register of Historical Places. Visitors will find original furniture, Oriental carpets, handmade light fixtures, and a variety of design styles inside the mansion. Contact (406) 256-5100.

KELL HOUSE
ONGOING, WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS
Frank Kell built one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Wichita Falls, the red-brick neoclassic Kell House in 1909. It features distinctive architecture, original family furnishings, textiles, decorative arts and early-20th-century costumes. Exhibitions change in April and September. Ask for directions to the Southland and Floral Heights bungalow neighborhoods when you visit. The Kell House is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Adults, $3; children 12 and under, $1. For information, call (940) 723-2712.

VAN BRIGGLE POTTERY
ONGOING, COLORADO SPRINGS
With its works showcased in world-renowned museums such as the Louvre and Metropolitan Museum of Art, complimentary tours of the Van Briggle studio were established in 1899. Call (719) 633-7729 for further information.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO
ONGOING, OAK PARK, ILL.
These 45-minute guided tours of the restored Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio are offered year-round at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 951 Chicago, Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 848-1976.

UNITY TEMPLE
ONGOING, OAK PARK, ILL.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the temple is open weekdays, 1-4 p.m., with weekend guided tours. Call (708) 383-8873. More Craftsman gems are evident throughout Chicagoland neighborhoods.

JOHNSON WAX CO. BUILDING
ONGOING, RACINE, WIS.
Reservations are required for tours, held Fridays only, of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building. Call (262) 260-2000 for information.

BRYN ATHYN CATHEDRAL
ONGOING, BRYN ATHYN, PENN.
Guided tours of the center of the Swedenborgian community. Specialty tours by request. The cathedral was built between 1919-1927 using a purist idea of the Arts & Crafts Artisan Guild System. Some of the original guild shops are still in use and continue to house craftsmen. This building and its environment are unique among Arts & Crafts communities in that the religious beliefs of the Swedenborgian community were blended with the Arts & Crafts ideology. Tours for individuals are free. Tours for large groups $2 per person. Contact the cathedral between the hours of 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at (215) 947-0266.

GUSTAV STICKLEY EXHIBIT
ONGOING, SYRACUSE, N.Y.
A small ongoing exhibit of Gustav Stickley and the Arts & Crafts era. Showing period examples of his work along with his peers. At the Everson Museum, corner of Harrison and State streets. Call (315) 447-6064.

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
ONGOING, NEW YORK
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call (212) 423-3500 for more.