Montalvo Historical Fabrication & Souvenirs 2012 > INSTALLATION VIEW: Montalvo Historical Fabrications & Souvenirs

FUN FACT:

In 1912, California State Senator James Duval Phelan began constructing Montalvo, an ambitious estate nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Villa Montalvo became Phelan’s beloved retreat; a place where he entertained artists, poets, musicians, politicians, soldiers, scholars and cultural figures. Upon his death in 1930, Phelan’s will stipulated that Montalvo be “…Maintained as a public park open and used as far as possible for the development of art, literature, music, and architecture by promising students.”

Over subsequent years, countless individuals have strived to keep this legacy alive, transforming Montalvo into a leading artist residency, arts center, historic property and hiking destination.