Brand Park (Glendale, California)

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Brand Park
Brand Library and Art Center 01.jpg
Brand Library and Art Center in Brand Park, El Miradero at center
Brand Park (Glendale, California)
Location Glendale, California, United States
Coordinates 34°10′49″N118°16′37″W / 34.18034°N 118.27696°W / 34.18034; -118.27696
Area31 acres (0.13 km2)
Created1925

Brand Park is a public park in the El Miradero district of Glendale, California. It is located in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains, on the former estate of Leslie C. Brand and overlooking the San Fernando Valley. It contains Miradero, originally the mansion of the estate which now serves as the Brand Library and Art Center, Shoseian Teahouse and gardens, and the Doctors House Museum.

Contents

The park is managed by Glendale Community Services & Parks and is freely open to the public from dawn until dusk.

History

The modern 31-acre (13 ha) park is a part of the larger 666-acre (270 ha) estate of Leslie C. Brand, a prominent local developer who built his mansion on the land, and who is buried with his family in a cemetery in the park. The park was established after his death in 1925.

Buildings

Brand Library & Art Center

Construction

Brand Library is housed in the mansion built in 1904 and named Miradero (The Overlook). The design is similar to the East Indian Pavilion built for the 1893 Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago and visited by Mr. Brand. [1]

The architecture is considered Saracenic, with crenellated arches, bulbous domes and minars combining characteristics of Spanish, Moorish, and Indian styles. In contrast to the cool white exterior, the inside was finished with a Victorian decor. It was designed by architect Nathaniel Dryden, brother-in-law of Brand, and it was completed in 1904. [1]

Current Use

Mr. Brand died in the house in 1925. He bequeathed Miradero to the city, although his wife retained rights of residence until her death. The will provided that the property should be used exclusively for a public park and library. Mrs. Brand died in 1945, and by 1956 the mansion had been converted into Brand Library.

Brand Library & Art Center is the art and music branch of the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department. Facilities include an art and music library, art galleries and recital hall. Activities in the center's art studios are programmed by the Community Services and Parks Department. The Library is staffed by subject specialist librarians and has over 110,000 items, including books, scores, DVDs, CDs, LPs, and magazines.

Ten years after opening, in response to the need for larger quarters to serve the growing interest of the community, the city council allocated funds to construct an addition to Brand Library. It would include facilities for art exhibitions, lectures and concerts, as well as an art studio for classes and workshops. The new addition was dedicated in October 1969.

The Associates of Brand Library & Art Center is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization founded in 1969 that has awarded art prizes in conjunction with an annual juried art exhibition, [2] has received donations of art, and runs fundraisers to support the facility. [3]

The Brand Library & Art Center was closed for two years for an extensive, $10 million renovation that was completed in 2014. [1] [4]

Shoseian Tea House and gardens

Shoseian Teahouse Shoseuan Teahouse Feb 2024.jpg
Shoseian Teahouse

Shoseian Teahouse, also known as Whispering Pine Teahouse (the English translation of "Shoseian"), and its gardens are located within Brand Park. It is one of the only traditional Japanese teahouses that is available for public use in the U.S. [5] The building is an important gathering place for the city's Japanese community. [6] The teahouse hosts cultural ceremonies, lectures, and other activities celebrating Japan's history and art.

Doctors House Museum

Doctor's House Glendale, Brand Park, Doctor's house, 2017.02.19.jpg
Doctor's House

The museum is housed in a 1888 Victorian house, originally located at 921 E. Wilson Avenue, that was saved from destruction and moved to the park in 1979. It was occupied at different times by two prominent Glendale doctors, Dr. Bogue and Dr. Hurtt [7] [8] The museum is operated by the Glendale Historical Society. [9] It is listed on the Glendale Register of Historic Resources and Historic Districts and is pended for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recreation

Wildlife

The park is open on the north side to the wilderness of the Verdugo Mountains which are home to numerous deer and coyotes, as well as bobcats, mountain lions and California black bears.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Barbara Jones (July 21, 2013). "$9.3 million facelift returns Glendale's landmark Brand Library & Art Center to Victorian-era glory (with photo album)". Los Angeles Daily News.
  2. ↑ "An artistic gift for the community". Glendale News-Press. 2010-07-03. pp. A10 –A11.
  3. ↑ Associates of Brand Library homepage
  4. ↑ Susan Abram. "Brand new: Glendale's library to reopen after two-year, $10 million upgrade". Los Angeles Daily News . Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  5. ↑ "Official website". Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  6. ↑ "Few People Know There's A Peaceful Japanese Tea Garden Hiding Right Here In Southern California". OnlyInYourState. 2019-07-19. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  7. ↑ ""The Doctor's House" Seeking New Location". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 1979 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Alan Maltun (January 6, 1980). "Historic House to Be Moved to New Site". Los Angeles Times. p. G Part X, p 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "About the Doctors House". 2025-09-04. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
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