Modjeska House
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| Modjeska House | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. National Historic Landmark) | |
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| Location: | 29042 Modjeska Canyon Road, Modjeska, California |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Area: | 14 acres[1] |
| Built/Founded: | 1888 |
| Architect: | Stanford White |
| Architectural style(s): | Queen Anne |
| Designated as NHL: | December 14, 1990[2] |
| Added to NRHP: | December 11, 1972[3] |
| NRHP Reference#: | 72000244 |
| Governing body: | Private |
Modjeska House, also known as Arden, is a house designed by Stanford White in Modjeska, California. It is significant for being the only surviving home of Helena Modjeska, a Shakespearean actress and Polish patriot.
Modjeska came to America from Poland with her husband and created retreat of 16 acres (6.47 ha) for when she was not performing on stage. To design a large Victorian country house, she hired one of America’s leading architects, Stanford White. They named it "Arden" after the forest setting of Shakespeare's play As You Like It and planted gardens with olive trees, palms, English yews, white lilac, and crown of thorns. It was their home from 1888 until 1906.
After the property was sold the romance associated with Modjeska's life attracted developers who marketed parcels of the property for vacation homes. In 1923, the Walker family of Long Beach purchased prime parcels in the canyon that included the Modjeska house and its surrounding wooded area.[4]
In 1986, the Orange County Harbors, Beaches and Parks Authority purchased the property and established it as a historical site. A limited number of visitors are allowed on tours. Directions to the park are given after making reservations.[5]
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990.[2][1]
The property is located in a live oak grove on the banks of Santiago Creek in Modjeska Canyon, California.
[edit] References
- ^ a b James H. Charleton (June 16, 1990), National Register of Historic Places Registration: Forest of Arden / Arden / Modjeska House / Modjeska County ParkPDF (756 KiB), National Park Service and Accompanying photos, exterior and of Helen Modjeska and others, from 1988, c.1893 and undatedPDF (515 KiB)
- ^ a b Modjeska House. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2007-11-18.
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ Modjeska House & Gardens OCParks Commission, retrieved on November 18, 2007.
- ^ Modjeska House & Gardens location and hours OCParks Commission, retrieved on November 18, 2007.
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