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View Winners → Cultural Heritage Landmark Fenyes Mansion Completes $1.7 Million Renovation
News Oct 04, 2012
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-Photo by Terry Miller
Since 2010, the 1906 Beaux Arts-style Fenyes Mansion at Pasadena Museum of History has been undergoing a $1.7 million rejuvenation that included exterior painting and recreation of the original balustrade, interior painting, air conditioning installation and wall covering replacement. In addition, Mansion closure made it possible to repair and/or restore select items in the house
Costumed Fenyes Mansion staff and family members welcomed visitors to the newly-reopened residence with a Downton Abbey-style flourish; vintage automobiles, entertainers, appetizers and cocktails last Saturday evening. The reception included tours of the rejuvination project and a sumptuos dinner was prepared with vintage-inspired cuisine created especially for the evening by Patina’s Joachim Splichal.
Additionally a ribbon cutting ceremony on front steps of the Fenyes Mansion included Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Congressman Adam Schiff, and other dignitaries; representatives from the Paloheimo Foundation which funded the Mansion repairs; the seven 2012 Contemporary History Maker Honorees, PMH Executive Director Jeannette O’Malley, and Joan Branin of El Molino Questers, which funded restoration of some of the Mansion’s Oriental carpets.
The ribbon cutting ceremony preceded the Gala Reopening Benefit and 2012 Contemporary History Maker Awards Dinner and marks the first time members of the public will be invited inside the Mansion since its closure. A series of special “First Peek Tours” for Museum Members will be offered in November, prior to the resumption of Public Mansion Tours on December 7, 2012. These docent-led tours interpret the landmark structure’s architecture, artworks, furnishings, and the Fenyes family saga within the context of early 20th century Pasadena history.
Designated a Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark in 1965 and a California Point of Historical Interest in 1993, the Fenyes Mansion is unique historically, having housed four generations of the Fenyes-Curtin-Paloheimo family. Today the legacy of this philanthropic family is carried on by the Paloheimo Foundation, which has funded this project.
