Welcome to Julia Morgan House Building Tour
Julia Morgan House, designed by Julia Morgan in 1918 and constructed from 1919-1922, embodies Mediterranean revival architecture with its formal symmetrical layout, classic details, and two-story stucco structure topped with a Spanish tile roof.
The house is in the first prosperous neighborhood of its time. It features teak doors, floors, moldings, and windows, with hand-carved rosettes on interior doors, and although six patterns repeat, each rosette is slightly different. An exception to this is the library- the front portions of the bookcases are teak, and the back panels are made in a less expensive wood.
Terra cotta pavers and iron grillwork adorn the exterior, while high ceilings in each room enhance airflow. The velvet drapes on the windows help keep the rooms cool from Sacramento’s heat.
The plan for the house demonstrates the Beaux Arts axial layout. Standing in the center of the entry hall you will find there are balanced views in four directions. It is also possible from the entry hall to access the library, kitchen, dining room, living room, and upstairs without passing through another room.
The house also demonstrates strong indoor and outdoor planning. Each of the major rooms on the first floor (living room, dining room, library) has an adjoining room next to the garden. The main bedroom on the second floor has both an open outdoor area as well as a screened porch for sleeping. The second bedroom on the second floor also has an open outdoor area.
The house has approximately 6000 square feet of living space. Most of the lighting fixtures of the home are original. Most of the oriental rugs on the floor are from the late 19th century and appropriate for the style and age of the house.The kitchen has been remodeled to reflect the original style of the period, preserving the historic charm.
In 1982, the mansion earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The Julia Morgan House was gifted from Sac State to University Enterprises, which now manages it as an event venue for university events.
All furniture was custom-made for the home in 1999 to scale each room. Each room is complemented by antique pieces and artifacts gifted to Sac State.
Julia Morgan graduated in 1894 as UC Berkeley's first woman with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. She was also the first woman to pass the architecture entrance exam for the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and California's first licensed female architect. Over her 46-year career, Julia Morgan designed over 700 buildings, primarily in California, including the renowned Hearst Castle. She is a rare designer who gave the blueprint to people.
Julia Morgan died on February 2, 1957, in San Francisco, California, at age 85. On May 28, 2008, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver announced that Julia Morgan would be inducted into the California Hall of Fame, located at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts. The induction ceremony took place on December 15 and her great-niece accepted the honor in her place.
In 2014, Julia Morgan was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects. She was the first woman to ever receive the profession’s highest honor. Julia Morgan’s extraordinary work is still admired by many people. As she once said, “My buildings will be my legacy… they will speak for me long after I’m gone.”
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Julia Morgan House