Gamble House's hand railing of main staircase, and front entryway in background.

The Gamble House in Pasadena, California, is an outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style architecture. The house and furnishings were designed by Charles and Henry Greene in 1908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Procter and Gamble Company. The house, a National Historic Landmark, is owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California and is open for public tours led by trained volunteer docents who interpret the house to the public.

This masterwork of Greene and Greene, along with its architect-designed furniture and fixtures, has been widely acknowledged as an icon of the turn-of-the-last-century style—a work of passionate dedication that demonstrated how far it was possible to go to blend the useful with the beautiful.

The Gamble House opened to the public in 1966—thanks mainly to the philanthropic impulse of the heirs of Cecil and Louise Gamble, who stipulated that the house, an important local landmark, would be held in trust by the City of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California School of Architecture. The Gamble House mission is to preserve the house and educate the public about the vital role of historic architecture in understanding the richness of the past and the potential for the future.

Continuing this legacy of support for historic preservation, the Gamble family was also instrumental in launching the first-ever exterior conservation project. Work began in 1998 when the Getty Grant Program provided funding for a Historic Structures Report. A capital campaign followed, and from October 2003 to September 2004 work was undertaken to repair damage to rafters, beams, redwood shakes, windows, doors, screens, roof, downspouts, all of which needed care after being exposed to nearly a century of weather and other environmental challenges. The project stabilized exterior timbers and finishes while respecting the natural aging process of the materials, resulting in an appropriate state of preservation for this landmark house.

Two on-going programs have lasting effects on the community. The Junior Docent Programs trains 7th and 8th graders from local schools to become docents. They, in turn, become tour guides for 4th and 5th graders. The Scholars-in-Residence fellowship invites two USC graduating architecture students to live in The Gamble House for a year. It is a rare opportunity for students to live in an architect-designed house at a time when they are developing their own skills.

The Ayrshire Foundation restoration grant was used for extensive rafter tail and beam repair. It also helped The Gamble House secure funds from others who require matching funds and thus reach their campaign goal in a timely manner.

The centennial celebration of The Gamble House included a major Greene and Greene exhibition at the Huntington Library, other smaller exhibitions, lectures and seminars. Ayrshire funding supported The Gamble House during the developmental phase of this major exhibition and by their leadership encouraged others to add their support. Ayrshire has pledged a new five-year grant to The Gamble House starting in 2010.