Special one-of-a-kind tour for four people of the historic Gamble House, designed by architects Greene & Greene for David Gamble in 1908-09. The tour will be led by long-time docent Michael J. Murray. This auction item is sponsored by Kelly Sutherlin McLeod, FAIA.

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPES
Experience the House at a leisurely pace…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 & Gamble Company. The house, a National Historic Landmark, is owned by the City of Pasadena and operated by the Gamble House Conservancy.

Behind the Velvet Ropes 2½ hour tours are conducted by docents with years of experience and a great deal of passion. These longer tours allow them to share with you their own excitement and knowledge and show you details that are normally only seen from a distance.

• Walk inside the rooms and, with flashlight in hand, examine at close quarters exquisite craftsman details.
• Your docent, wearing white gloves, will open doors and drawers to reveal gems that can only be seen close up.
• You have time to appreciate the ambience of this National Historic Landmark, and enjoy some light refreshments in the gallery.

On this tour you are invited behind the scenes to visit parts of the House not available on the one-hour tour.

Michael J. Murray has been a Gamble House docent since 1990. He served on the Board of Directors of The Friends of the Gamble House for six years, acting as President during the exterior conservation project in the early 2000’s. He also is the ranking member of the Junior Docent Program which trains 7th graders to become docents.   

Mr. Murray’s Behind-the-Velvet-Ropes Tours are known not only for their in-depth analysis of The Gamble House, but for their story-telling style. He weaves a narrative that places the Gamble House in a world rocked by change—social, political, and architectural. The same “norm breaking” that was happening here in Pasadena was also occurring in Oak Park with Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s no wonder that these architectural masterpieces still speak to contemporary audiences on so many levels.  

Mr.  Murray is a screenwriter with over 25 produced credits in the television network, cable, and streaming space. His holiday movie last year on Lifetime was the first LGBTQ+ film produced for the cable outlet and made multiple Top Ten lists for the year. He will be writing HGTV/Discover +’s first film for next season. He is currently scripting a Christmas musical for ABC for broadcast in 2022.

Special Restrictions

·    Documentation of completed and current vaccination for COVID-19 along with a current, valid, government-issued photo ID, must be presented to staff prior to entering the Bookstore or starting your interior tour.

·     For those under 18 without such identification, attestation by a visitor with such identification will be necessary.

·     Unvaccinated persons or those unable to document vaccination may book an exterior tour only and will not be allowed inside the Gamble House or the Bookstore.

·     All visitors over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose while on the Gamble House premises and while taking a tour, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

·     If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness on the day of your tour, please stay at home and call (626) 449-4178 to cancel your tour. At that time, you may choose to donate the cost of your tickets to the Gamble House or request a refnd.