volunteers
Restoring the house - 1980
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Doctors House today
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Wooten Desk in The Doctors office
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Doctors House docents Sonia Montejano (left) and Mireya Romo-Bowen.
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Children are most welcome
at the Doctors House

About the Doctors House Museum

The Doctors House Museum is an authentically restored Queen Anne-Eastlake style home built around 1888. The two story house originally stood at 921 East Wilson Avenue. Very early on it became known locally as the "Doctors House" because it was successively owned and occupied by three prominent early Glendale physicians. It was later occupied by silent screen icon Nell Shipman. When it was threatened with demolition in 1979, the community rallied and a Doctors House Preservation Committee was formed. That committee formally incorporated as The Glendale Historical Society on October 24, 1979. The City of Glendale purchased the house and TGHS went on to move, restore, and open the house as a museum furnished and decorated in the style of the period.


Plan Your Visit to the Doctors House

Days/Hours of Operation and important contact information

The House is open for tours every Sunday* from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (the last tour starts at 3:40 pm), with the following exceptions:

*House is always closed for the following holidays: New Years Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas, and also December 27, 2009 and January 3, 2010. The house is closed during the entire month of July for maintenance.

*NOTE: The house will also be closed on very rainy days and during the month of July. Check back to this website for updates, although short-notice closures may not be posted.

THE 2009 CANDLELIGHT TOUR IS DECEMBER 19th (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm). Refreshments will be served, no reservations are necessary. A minimum $2 donation at the door. Tours will be given continuously throughout the 2-hour period.

Regular Sunday tours in December: The house is open for tours on December 6th, 13th, and 20th from 2-4 pm. The house will be closed December 27th and January 3, 2010.

Reservations: No reservations are needed for Doctors House Tours. Parking is free in Brand Park.

Admission fee: To help maintain the home, there is a minimum $1.00 admission fee for persons over the age of 16. Admission is always free for Glendale Historical Society members.

Specially scheduled group tours of the Doctors House:

Special group tours can be arranged for a minimum of 20 people on other days of the week. Please contact the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department, (818) 548-2147.

Weddings, and other private functions or parties on the grounds and in the gazebo:
Contact City of Glendale Parks and Recreation at (818) 548-2752. NOTE: There are no private events of any type inside the house.

Photo shoots and filming require permission:
Contact City of Glendale Parks and Recreation at (818) 548-3782.

Merchandise/Gift Shop

The gift shop is open during regular visiting hours - view the list.


Directions to the House

The Doctors House is located in Brand Park, 1601 West Mountain Avenue, Glendale, California, 91201. Take the #5 (Golden State) Freeway or Glenoaks Boulevard to Western Avenue. Proceed north on Western, which leads into the park. As you approach Brand Park, signs along the way will guide you to the parking area and to the House. MAP


Volunteer Docent Opportunities

Volunteer docents give tours of The Doctors House. They receive training and commit to two hours per month of giving tours. For information about becoming a docent, leave a message for the TGHS Curator at (818) 242-7447. DO NOT contact TGHS about weddings, events, and photo shoots. See info above.


Nell Shipman

Between 1917 to 1920, The Doctors House was the home of Nell Shipman, the multi-talented silent screen actress, writer, director, and producer. Learn more about Nell Shipman at these websites:
Naked Eye Productions

The Nell Shipman Website (Professor Kay Armatage, Univ. of Toronto)

The Nell Shipman Silent Film Festival a Boise State University

Papers of Tom Trusky relating to Nell Shipman (Boise State University, Albertsons Library)

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