The House as an Exhibit
The Camarillo House has been restored to interpret the time period of 1914 to the early 1930’s. Significant changes took place when the residence was remodeled in 1914, with most alterations made to the interior. The staircase which emptied straight into the entry hall, was altered to include a return. The wall and panel door to the front parlor were removed to accommodate the change. A bench seat was added to the tower bay at this time. The first floor master chamber was enlarged for use as the ranch office. The pantry and a hallway were opened up for use as a breakfast room.
The kitchen of the house was extensively remodeled in 1915, including the addition of structural glass panels located on the north and east interior walls. That same year, at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (San Francisco, 1915), Adolfo Camarillo purchased a walk-in refrigerator manufactured by Kirchner Supply Company of Los Angeles. It remains in its original placement in the pantry.
Though the house interior millwork had been painted for the majority of the 20th century much of it was meant to be displayed in its natural redwood finish. 8 of the 17 interiors spaces were stripped and refinished back to their redwood appearance.
The house today stands as a time capsule of what the home may have looked like in the period of 1914 to 1930 with interpretive wallpapers and window coverings. Most of the furnishings were donated, locally purchased or purchased reproductions to help interpret what they house may have looked like. Many items are slowly being donated back to the homes that were originally in it.
