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 Museum

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 26, 2010 and January 2, 2011. 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 2010 CANDLELIGHT TOUR IS DECEMBER 11th and 18th (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm). Light refreshments will be served, no reservations are necessary. Minimum $2 donation at the door. Tours will be given continuously throughout the 2-hour period.

Regular Sunday tours in December: The house will be open for tours on December 5th, 12th, and 19th fom 2-4 pm. The house will be closed December 26, 2010 and January 2, 2011.

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

Admission fee: Donations are accepted to help us maintain the home. A minimum donation of $2.00 is recommended 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 City of Glendale Community Services and Parks at (818) 548-2147.

Weddings, and other private functions or parties on the grounds and in the gazebo: DO NOT CONTACT THE GLENDALE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. Private party rentals are handled by the City of Glendale Comunity Services and Parks. Contact number is (818) 548-2752. NOTE: There are no private events of any type allowed inside the Doctors House.

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

Glendale, A Pictorial History, Centennial Edition, by Katharine Peters Yamada.

TGHS's pictorial history of Glendale may be purchased at the Doctors House during open hours. You may also visit Once Upon A Time Bookstore in the Montrose Shopping Park to purchase this book.

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 from TGHS and commit to at least two volunteer hours per month to give tours. For information about becoming a docent, leave a message for the Doctors House Director at (818) 242-7447. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT TGHS ABOUT WEDDINGS, PRIVATE 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)