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Historic Gardens

Adamson House ~ Malibu

Adamson  Star Pool: Photo © Alice Joyce

Adamson House is known for the historic Malibu Potteries, and its lovely gardens which overlook the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a showcase for colorful tilework, Adamson House is adjacent to the Malibu Lagoon Museum, situated in the house’s attached 5-car garage. Although part of the California State Parks, Adamson House and the surrounding landscape receive loving support from the Friends of the Historic Adamson House & Malibu Lagoon Museum. Architect Stiles Clements designed the house in a Spanish Colonial Revival style for Merritt Huntley Adamson and his wife, Rhoda, the daughter of Frederick and May Rindge.

Photo © Alice Joyce

”Malibu modern history begins around 1802 when Jose Tapia received a Spanish land grant that enabled him to establish the Malibu Rancho – the first large ranch in this area.” The Malibu Lagoon area is believed by many to trace back to a Chumash Indian village, called Pueblo de las Canoas by the Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo in 1542. Adamson House is located adjacent to the Lagoon.

Adamson House  © Alice Joyce

Dating to 1930, the Adamson/Rindge family home and gardens comprise a unique setting, decorated indoors and out with stunning ceramic tiles manufactured by Malibu Potteries. May K. Rindge established the pottery in 1926. The Great Depression and a fire signaled the company’s closure in 1932.

Originally the family’s summer place, the house eventually became the Adamsons’ principal residence. Purchased by the state of California in 1968, plans were to tear down the house and create a parking lot! A concerned community managed to halt the destruction of this unique landmark. Visitors touring the house see the original, beautifully preserved furnishings.

Adamson House Bench with Tilework © Alice Joyce

A venerable California Sycamore — Plantanus racemosa takes center stage on the Wedding Lawn.

California Sycamore Wedding Lawn  Copyright Alice Joyce

You’ll find the Adamson House’s exemplary tilework abetted by a magnificent collection of trees: Bunya-Bunya, Mexican Fan Palms, and rare New Zealand Chaste Tree (Vitex lucens), among the garden specimens.

Peacock Fountain © Alice Joyce

The original site … “a series of large sand dunes –13 acres in size — as construction of the house neared completion, good humus was transported from nearby canyons.

Malibu Potteries © Alice Joyce

Dombeya cayeuxii

The lavishly adorned Dombeya cayeuxiiis known as the Pink Snowball tree.

Peacock Fountain © Alice Joyce

Garden beds 5 to 10 feet deep were graded and landscaped with many exotic and native plants.”  Rhoda Adamson planted several rose and Victory gardens. The brilliantly patterned tilework is a joy to behold.

 Neptune Fountain © Alice Joyce

Entryway Copyright Alice Joyce

Adamson House Copyright Alice Joyce

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