Superintendent Diane Sipos’ Message: The Virginia Robinson Gardens Tour led by Clarke Young, Former Butler to Mrs. Robinson

In June, the docents participated in a special tour led by former butler Clarke Young. Clarke shared numerous stories of his time at The Virginia Robinson Gardens and offered a rare glimpse into Mrs. Robinson’s life. The participants enjoyed this unique opportunity to hear what life was like for this young butler. Clarke came upon this job one day when he was driving on Sunset Boulevard and noticed a building at the corner of Colby Avenue and Sunset. Out of curiosity, he went inside the building and learned it was a hiring agency. Even though he wasn’t looking for a job, he decided to interview for the position. After interviewing with majordomo Ivo Hadjiev and with Mrs. Robinson’s approval, Clarke was offered the job as a live-in butler. His pay was $750 a month, plus room and board and free medical care, a very generous salary in 1974. He packed his bags and moved into the estate with his dog, Annie.

He described Mrs. Robinson as very generous of spirit and cultured, and she exuded warmth and charm. She had a great sense of humor, a sharp mind, and was always thinking.

Born only twelve years after the Civil War, Virginia Robinson’s lifespan embodied a panoramic view of time.  Imagine all the changes she saw in the world in the span of a century of living. Mrs. Robinson told Clarke that when Harry and she settled in Beverly Hills in its nascence, the land was so barren that one could wave to people at the Los Angeles Country Club because no trees stood in the way. Harry and she were captivated by the stunning views when they first came upon this property and worked together to create the gardens. After Harry’s passing, Mrs. Robinson was intent on preserving his legacy by continuing her work on the gardens. 

Clarke led the group in various sections of the house and gardens, recounting stories from his life here. Clarke referred to the Kitchen Terrace area as “Grand Central Station,” the place of major activity and hustle and bustle for the staff.  The wall separating the Kitchen Terrace from the Great Lawn served as a dividing line between guests and staff.  Staff would not go past this point unless they were waiting on people nor would guests enter this area.  Raised in the Victorian era in high society, she always maintained a veil of formality between her and the staff.  Staff referred to her as Mrs. Robinson and Madame, and never by her first name. 

At that time, the number of live-in staff had been whittled down from its heyday (about 21) to a chef named Raoul, Ivo, Clarke, and Mrs. Robinson’s personal maid, Trina. She also had a housemaid named Maria, a laundress Bernice, and six to seven gardeners.  Clarke said the kitchen looked the same as it was in the mid 1970’s, and that staff were well-fed — “what she ate, we ate.”  Raoul took his job very seriously and made it very clear that the kitchen was his domain. Clarke recalls one time offering to step in and prepare a meal when Raoul requested time off to attend an appointment. At this, Raoul quickly changed his appointment, so he wouldn’t miss his shift lest another person cook in his place. 

Clarke also served as the chauffeur. Dressed in uniform and donning a chauffeur’s cap, he drove her in her black Cadillac limousine to various Los Angeles locales, including her favorite restaurant L’Orangerie, and to friends’ homes where one time he caught a glimpse of Mae West.

It may come as a surprise that Clarke was allowed to have his dog live here, but “not if you knew Mrs. Robinson,” he said. A menagerie of pets lived here, including an overweight Whippet named Bo (who would run away all the time), a poodle mix named Monet, capuchin monkeys, a tortoise who lazed in the dry border along the Great Lawn most of his day, and birds, including a Toucan. Much to the chagrin of Ivo, the dogs had the run of the place, at times leaving their mark in the library and on the beautiful curtains. The door was always open, so the dogs could run in and out of the house, following Mrs. Robinson’s adage that “Dogs come first.” 

Even into her nineties, Mrs. Robinson hosted dinners.  Following White House protocols for receiving and entertaining guests, Mrs. Robinson always stood in a formal reception line on the west side of the Entry Hall to greet guests. Clarke described in detail the meticulousness with which the plates, glasses, and silverware were laid out, everything aligning perfectly with the chairs and other place settings. 

While much of the entertaining occurred in the Main House, Mrs. Robinson considered the Pool Pavilion the “crown jewel” of the property. The grandfather clock in the Billiard Room was originally part of the Italian Baroque furniture ensemble that is in the Entry Hall of the Main House, but she had it moved to the Pool Pavilion because, “It’s the oldest clock and deserves prominence.”

The gardens were her pride and joy. She had most of her meals on the Loggia so she could see the Palm Forest. She began and ended each day seated on the couch in the Galleria facing the large window with a view of the Great Lawn. There, she ate breakfast and enjoyed chamomile tea in the evenings every day. Clarke kept her company throughout the day. The greenhouse filled with orchids was aptly named the Orchid House.  Mrs. Robinson loved having orchid arrangements throughout the house. The main vegetable garden, located in what is now the staff parking lot at Cove Way, provided fresh produce, and Clarke fondly recalls how delicious the bananas grown in the garden were. 

When Clarke ended his employment to go to law school in 1976, he showed the group the gifts Mrs. Robinson and Ivo gave him. They included a set of everyday plates from the Pool Pavilion, and although they were not fine china, Clarke always treasured them, and a tin box filled with potpourri which still carries a beautiful scent. He recalled with sadness visiting her in her final days.

Ivo said to her, “Every age has its grace, and at your age, it is to give.” Clarke said that her decision to donate her property was largely influenced by Ivo’s comment.

Clarke ended his tour by thanking the group for continuing Mrs. Robinson’s legacy, poignantly noting, “Someone lives as long as they are remembered.” 

Many thanks to Patty Elias for organizing this tour and to Tim Lindsay for his participation. Special thanks also to the Friends of Robinson Gardens and President Lynn Whitaker.