Stanford Historical Society House and Garden Tour-April 30, 2006

For more information or photos, contact:  Marian Adams, adams@cdr.stanford.edu. 650-326-9212.

 

Anticipating National Preservation Month by a day, the Stanford Historical Society offers a rare glimpse into the early residential architecture of Stanford University and opens four historic houses and gardens on April 30, 1:00-4:00 p.m. on campus. The house tour will include homes in the San Juan subdivision built from 1909 - 1925, for Stanford's earliest faculty members, and will feature several unusual collections of present owners. A preview of the houses:

 

A 1909 Craftsman shingle house designed by A.W. Smith for Lee Emerson Bassett, professor of English and founder of the Stanford drama department.  The house and hillside gardens are largely unchanged since construction, with stately oak trees and shrubs planted by the Bassetts still there, including two roses planted in memory of William Bassett, their son, after his death in World War II.

 

Unusual features include:

-       Asian elements in the roof line, and Torii shape of supporting beams on the front porch that are repeated in decorative elements throughout the house

-       Clinker brick fireplace which dominates the living room and draws people to its raised hearth and its post-1989 earthquake chimney reconstruction with industrial smokestack

-       Multiple collections of art and artifacts inside and out, including a gathering of antique farm machinery in the back garden

-       Cactus, succulent, and hummingbird gardens, and an orchid house

 

A 1912 Mediterranean style stucco and wood house designed by Walter H. Ratcliffe, Jr. for Vernon Lyman Kellogg, professor of entomology and lecturer in bionomics. This house has been home to almost 100 Stanford students during the 50 year tenure of the current owners.

 

Unusual features include:

 

-       collection of citrus trees in the multi-terraced gardens

-       a magnificent 300-year-old oak tree in a terrace that can accommodate 150 guests

-       1400 square foot cottage, originally built as a ball room

-       living room fireplace with a carved redwood mantel that dominated a room filled with the owner's memorabilia

 

A 1914 Italian Renaissance Eclectic style stucco house built for Douglas Houghton Campbell, professor of botany in Stanford's pioneer faculty and Robert Edgar Allardice, professor of mathematics, who brought golf to Stanford in the early days.  It was designed by Walter Ratcliffe, Jr., who began his architecture practice working with Bernard Maybeck and John Galen Howard.  After a checkered history as a student rental, flood, earthquake, and house fires, the home has been beautifully restored.

 

Unusual features include:

 

-       brick baking oven in the kitchen and a 1920's Wedgwood stove

-       arched loggia, which overlooks a charming Italian garden

-       Portuguese tile of a charming vineyard scene in the living room

-       Unusual moldings on the wooden over mantel of the dining room brick fireplace

 

A probable Charles Sumner stucco house built in 1925 in the Tudor Period Style for Arthur Dinsmore Briggs, professor of english at Stanford from 1906-1941.  This house is largely unchanged from its original construction and contains many charming features, perfectly preserved.

 

Unusual features include:

-       large barrel vaulted, redwood paneled living room and library, with floor to ceiling bookshelves

-       living room fireplace with original tiles in a grape vine pattern and brass fender seats

-       "secret" suite of rooms under the staircase

-       collection of handsome Chinese antique furniture

 

These four houses are within easy walking distance of one another and there will be shuttle service from the parking lot at Tresidder Union as well as between the houses for those who have trouble walking.  Everyone should be aware that these houses may have uneven paths, stairs without railings, steep driveways to climb - please wear appropriate footwear.  Visitors will be asked to wear shoe covers in the houses.

 

Tickets for the House Tour may be obtained by mailing a check (payable to Stanford Historical Society) to:  Stanford Historical Society, c/o Sweeney, P.O. Box 19290, Stanford, CA 94305.  Tickets purchased by April 21 will be $20/person. After that date, tickets may be purchased at the registration desk for $25.00.  All tickets will be distributed the day of the tour at 622 Cabrillo Avenue.  Parking and shuttle service are available at the Tresidder Union lot.

 

For additional information, please go to the Stanford Historical Society's web site: http://histsoc.stanford.edu/ or call 650-326-9212 or 650-324-1653. You may also email questions to: susan.sweeney@stanford.edu or adams@cdr.stanford.edu.