Fenyes Estate - Pasadena, CA
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 34° 08.956 W 118° 09.669
11S E 392955 N 3779315
The Fenyes Estate is an 18-room mansion built in 1905 by Robert Farquar and now serves as home to the Pasadena Museum of History, It contains its original furnishings and paintings. The Finnish Folk Art Museum, Research Library and galleries are open
Waymark Code: WM1P4M
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 06/13/2007
Views: 107
The museum is housed in the 18-room Fenyes Estate. Built in 1905, this landmark contains its original furnishings and paintings. The Finnish Folk Art Museum, Research Library and History Center Galleries are also open to the public.
Thanks to an extraordinary family legacy, the splendid Mansion on Pasadena's famed "Millionaire's Row," once home to Museum benefactors Dr. Adalbert and Eva Fenyes, is today the crown jewel among the Pasadena Museum of History's many treasures.
Architecture and Furnishings
Antique furnishings, oriental carpets, wood paneling and floors, curving staircases and an excellent collection of California impressionist paintings enhance the Beaux Arts elegance of the Mansion. The spacious three-story, 10,162 square-foot residence by the prominent architect Robert D. Farquhar was completed in 1906. In 1911 another renowned architect, Sylvanus Marston, designed a two-story concrete addition, which includes a study and laboratory space on the ground floor and a solarium and studio/gallery upstairs.
From Cultural Gatherings to Consulate
Once a gathering place for Pasadena's glittering social and cultural life, the Mansion later became the first Finnish Consulate in the Western United States. In addition, the legendary film director D.W. Griffith used the beautiful house and gardens as a film location in 1912, becoming the first of many to recognize it as a perfect setting when aristocratic elegance is required. Among the Mansion's more familiar credits are Peter Sellers' satirical masterpiece, Being There (1979) and the Emmy-award-winning Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977), in which it played the "role" of the White House. Most recently, it was a featured location in the Hugh Jackman/Christian Bales hit The Prestige (2006).
The Fenyes Mansion was designated a Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark in 1965 and a California Point of Historical Interest in 1993.
Library and Galleries:
Wednesday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Fenyes Mansion Tours:
Wednesday - Sunday, 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.
(626) 577-1660
Library and Galleries:
Wednesday - Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Fenyes Mansion Tours:
Wednesday - Sunday, 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Street address:
470 W. Walnut St.
Pasadena, CA United States
91103
County / Borough / Parish: Los Angeles County
Year listed: 1985
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1900-1924
Historic function: Domestic
Current function: Education, Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2007 To: 12/31/2007
Hours of operation: From: 12:00 PM To: 5:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.