The sun was shining brightly at 8:15 am on April 15, 2023, when the Fellows met the County van at the Virginia Robinson Gardens to take them to the Gamble House in Pasadena. The Gamble House sits on top of a hill, its handsome wood exterior reflecting its natural surroundings and the Gambles’ love of nature. The home is architecturally significant as the finest example of the work created by the builders Greene and Greene in the Los Angeles area.
We were warmly welcomed at the Gamble House by our docent guide, Susan Zucker, who led us to the front door which is a stunning triple-paneled piece of wood made of black pine with inserts of green leaded art glass. The Asian influence is evident in the door’s design, and Susan told us that influence is prevalent throughout the home.
As we closed the door and looked back, there was a warm glow radiating from the front door’s stained glass, and we were immediately engulfed by the extraordinary woodwork that surrounded us.
Once inside the entry hall, we were taken by the craftsmanship of the cascading stairway. Each joint is exaggerated, highlighting the exceptional design and unparalleled craftsmanship.
Not only did the Greenes design the house, but most of its furnishings as well. The tables, chairs, cabinetry, stained glass, even light fixtures and switches were all part of the design package. In addition to the design of these items, they also obsessed over each item’s exact placement in the room.
The Greene brothers put their trust in master craftsmen John and Peter Hall. The Hall brothers, and the Greenes emigrated from Sweden in the late 1800s and settled in Pasadena after stints in Washington and Oregon. Peter served as the Greenes’ general contractor, and John was a master woodworker who built the home’s furniture, custom lighting, and cabinetry.
The living room is the largest room in the house and is broken up into smaller vignettes that give the space a more personal feel.
One of the Japanese design elements that is repeated throughout the house is the “tsuba.” A tsuba is the guard between the handle and the blade of traditional Japanese swords. The shape is used in everything from the shape of the dining room table to light switches to the pattern in the leaded glass cabinet windows, and much more.
Because so many of the windows are shaded by the large overhanging eaves on the roof, the house for the most part is relatively dim, relying on filtered natural light and warm amber stained-glass fixtures to provide light.
Touring the upstairs of the home affords another opportunity to appreciate the amazing staircase. Unlike every other part of the tour, Susan told us we were allowed to touch the wood railings and feel the beautiful exotic wood.
The master bedroom is large with separate his-and-her beds and a generous sitting area in front of the fireplace. In the far corner, there is access to one of the sleeping porches where Mrs. Gamble is said to have spent many a night.
Down the hall, “Aunt Julia’s Room” mostly features simple wicker furniture and an unpretentious brass framed bed. Aunt Julia [Huggins] was Mrs. Gamble’s sister who lived with the Gamble family in the house until her death in 1943 – long after Mr. & Mrs. Gamble passed away in 1923 and 1929 respectively.
The tour ended with the guest bedroom which is modestly furnished with original furniture from Gustav Stickley, an American furniture manufacturer, who was a leading voice in the American Arts and Crafts movement.
Next stop on our tour was a visit to the Wrigley Mansion. It was the home of William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada Wrigley who were also known for the Chicago Cubs Wrigley Field and Wrigley Chewing Gum Tournament of Roses.
Upon Ada’s death in 1958, the Italian Renaissance-style mansion was presented to the City of Pasadena in 1958 by the Wrigley family with the understanding that it would become the permanent headquarters for the Tournament of Roses. The mansion serves as a museum and working place for the planning of the Rose Bowl.
While we enjoyed an informal lunch deliciously prepared by Little Flower Café and Bakery, Jim Gruettner, past President and longtime volunteer of the Tournament of Roses regaled us with the history of this famous historical landmark.
Following lunch, Mike Matthiessen, past President of the Tournament of Roses, toured us upstairs with legendary stories of the Rose Parade and football games that have taken place over the last many years.
We arrived back at the Robinson Gardens anxious to share all we had learned on this perfectly planned day with friends and family. How do Jeanne Anderson, Janice Jerde, and Timothy Lindsay, master planners of the Premier Events for the Fellows, arrange each affair to such perfection? We are all in awe of their talent and dedication, and we thank them for these truly memorable events.
Post by Joan Selwyn
Founder of the Friends
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Photos by Linda Meadows
Marcella Ruble
loved the story…thanks for sharing
Timothy Lindsay
Marvelous day, with a great history lesson; surrounded by magnificent architecture and gardens and, people who appreciate such things. Sweet memories!