It is now a non-profit museum showing over 100 years of the life of a prominent California family.

His son, George Pardee, a Governor of California, also inhabited the house, inheriting it after his father's death.

George's wife Helen collected knick-knacks from all over the world, including scrimshaw from Alaska, tobacco pipes from the Philippines, and a giant elk head.

The original carriage house and stable are still standing and the entire complex is part of Oakland's Preservation Park Historic District.

The house was to be demolished for the construction of Interstate 980, but conservationists were able to save the building.