Pasadena Is Fit to Take on Responsibility of Gamble House

The Gamble House (Photo – Ken Lund, flickr).

Oversight Responsibility for the Gamble House to be Transferred from USC to the Gamble House Conservancy.

By Kate Bartlett

Fundraising by the Docent Council of the Gamble House and the Friends of the Gamble House have provided a solid basis for local assumption of operations, pending Court and USC Board of Trustees approval.

Built in 1909 in Pasadena for the Gamble family, the house was designed entirely by Pasadena architects Charles and Henry Green, including furniture, lighting, fixtures and decoration.  The Gamble House is an international destination for people seeking a prime example of American Arts and Crafts architecture. Craftsman Weekend is held annually in Pasadena (this year, November 1-3, 2019).  The Gamble House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978.

Given to Pasadena with stipulation

The Gamble family trust gave the house to the City of Pasadena in 1909, stipulating that USC manage its operations for 99 years. In the intervening decades, the USC School of Architecture has taken pride in its association with the Gamble House, and two of its students each year have had the opportunity to live in the house, an opportunity that will continue along with USC access for various educational purposes.

When USC was named manager of the Gamble House, it had the means and knowledge to operate, preserve and maintain the house. Through the years, however, local human and monetary resources have been built to manage the Gamble House.  The report of the staff to the Pasadena City Council states: “Now there is a significant endowment in place that allows the Gamble House to be self-supporting.”

Sufficient endowment to cover operating costs

Mayor Tornek has reported the endowment supporting the Gamble House at $8 million. Donations, ticket sales and earnings from the endowment are stated to be sufficient to cover operating costs.  The City of Pasadena, consistent with precedent, will pay for utilities, maintenance and some maintenance.

The Gamble House Conservancy Board of Directors includes as its President David Brown, former president of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, as well as those who have served in various capacities with the Docent Council of the Gamble House and the Friends of the Gamble House.

USC, the Gamble family and representatives of the City of Pasadena and the Gamble House Conservancy are in agreement that the process has been collaborative, and approval by the Court and the USC Board of Trustees is expected by the end of the year.