Bradford House is a historic home in Placentia, California, preserved as a living museum by the Placentia Founders Society. You can visit on a monthly docent-led tour or arrange a group tour, and the house offers a look at early twentieth-century domestic life; it is about a 12-minute drive from a motel in Brea.
- Address: 136 Palm Circle, Placentia, CA 92870
- Public tours: Second Sunday of each month, 2–4 p.m.
- Admission: No fee for public tours; a $3 donation is appreciated
- Group tours: $5 per person, arranged by phone
The History of Bradford House
Bradford House was built in 1902 as Albert Sumner Bradford’s family home and the center of his citrus business. Its history connects a family residence with Placentia’s community heritage.
Bradford’s descendants gave the house and its surrounding 1½ acres to the City of Placentia in 1973 for community use and enjoyment. The Placentia Founders Society, established in 1974, preserves and maintains it as a living museum. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, with a listing date of October 3, 1978.
The home is described as a modified Queen Anne Victorian-style house. The National Park Service classifies its architectural style as Colonial Revival and identifies James Stafford as its architect. It has two stories, 15 rooms and a full basement; its reported construction cost was $8,000.
How to Arrange a Visit
Public docent-led tours take place on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4 p.m. No admission fee is required, though a $3 donation is appreciated. If you are planning around the schedule, check the official site before you go.
For a group tour, contact the Placentia Founders Society at (714) 993-2470. Group tours cost $5 per person. The Society also hosts recurring events during the year, including historic lectures, art galleries, an ice cream social, a Halloween Haunt and a members’ holiday party.
What You Can See Inside Bradford House
The house is furnished in a style typical of 1900–1920. On the first floor, details include a ruby glass window, coved ceilings, a handcrafted hemlock staircase and pocket doors. A double fireplace separates the back parlor and dining room.
The large kitchen has built-in cabinetry, ceiling-high cupboards and a substantial worktable with sugar and flour bins. Upstairs, four of the original seven bedrooms are open for viewing. These rooms and features give the tour a sense of how the house was used as a family home.
Location and Visitor Access
Bradford House is at 136 Palm Circle in Placentia. The City of Placentia resource directory lists the same address for Bradford House and the Founders Society, along with the Society’s phone number, (714) 993-2470.
You can use a one-day itinerary for Brea’s local sights and stops when planning your day. For current tour arrangements and details, check the official site before you go.
Pairing a Visit with Other Nearby Stops
Bradford House can anchor a heritage-focused outing in Placentia. For another local cultural stop, visit the Muckenthaler Cultural Center.
FAQs
When are public tours of Bradford House?
Public docent-led tours are held on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4 p.m.
Is there an admission fee?
Public tours have no admission fee, and a $3 donation is appreciated. Group tours cost $5 per person.
How do you arrange a group tour?
Call the Placentia Founders Society at (714) 993-2470 to arrange one.
What is Bradford House known for?
It is a preserved historic home built in 1902 for Albert Sumner Bradford and his family. The Placentia Founders Society maintains it as a living museum.