On the Town: Gala guests relive history at Fenyes Mansion

The 1906 Grand Beaux Arts Fenyes Mansion at the Pasadena Museum of History reopened with a flourish after a two-year, $1.7-million renovation courtesy of the Paloheimo Trust. On Sept. 29 some 300 guests and supporters donned black tie and gowns with a vintage flair to attend the reopening gala on the grounds in front of the mansion. Visitors were transported back to the Edwardian era of classic automobiles and music. Some sported top hats and walking sticks.

As twilight fell, attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and those who felt lucky placed their silent-auction bids. Some chose the opportunity to view the mansion beginning with entering an elegant foyer, repainted and refinished, starting with floors and wood trim.

Representing the Paloheimo Trust, honored at the gala, were Advisory Board members George Paloheimo and his son George Paloheimo, Jr. Others on the board were Chairman Paul O. Halme, Morgan K. Halme and Martti Paloheimo.

George Paloheimo Sr. reminded visitors that the mansion once housed four generations of the Fenyes-Curtin-Paloheimo family. Today, the original décor of the early 1900s has been preserved largely unchanged. In 1970 the Curtin-Paloheimo family gave the Fenyes art and antique collection to the museum.

The vintage-inspired, three-course dinner of savories and sweets was created by Chef Joachim Splichal of the Patina Restaurant Group. Splichal was present at the celebration. Guest sommelier was Chris Meeske, representing Mission Wines in South Pasadena. He poured the four wines to accompany dinner.

After gala guests were sated, seven “Contemporary History Makers” were introduced. The honorees are current and former museum trustees who have contributed to the success of the mansion’s renovation. All seven were present to take their well-deserved bows — Don Fedde, Karen Craig, William F. Kruse, Laura Thompson, Fred G. Zepeda, Janet Kadin and Randolph G. Wilson.

According to honoree Thompson, president of the museum’s board of directors, “We have the opportunity to open our doors to show the history of Pasadena, including the original art, textiles and furniture of the family.”

Those open doors also boast a number of Oriental carpets, restored by Pashigian Brothers with funding provided by the El Molino Questers.

The mansion’s exterior was repainted white with dark brown trim to match the original 1906 color scheme. The roof was redone and the balustrade around the central roofline was recreated.

The honorary chair of the gala was Jim Watterson. Benefit committee members were Jeff Abbott, Ana Benitez, Georgia Covell, Wendy Funkhouser, Chuck Livingstone, Johannes Masserer, Fran Shellgren, Quinn Tang and Thompson.

Museum members will be offered the first opportunity to visit the mansion with a series of special members-only tours on select dates in November. Public tours will resume on Dec. 7.

RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.