Protecting, preserving and promoting one of Malibu’s great architectural and cultural gems is now in the hands of its new curator. Damian Ruddy has recently been hired as curator for the landmark Adamson House.
“I would like to put the Adamson House on the cultural map,” Ruddy told The Malibu Times, adding, “That includes locally, domestically and internationally. A lot of people don’t know the Adamson House exists.”
Ruddy, a graduate of UCLA and University College Cork holds two master’s degrees (one in osteo-archaeology and one in art history), a teaching credential, and a certificate in business administration and management.
Before coming to the Adamson House, Ruddy worked for many institutions including the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Annenberg Space for Photography and just down PCH at the Getty Villa.
The historic Adamson House in Malibu is a grand jewel, adorned with historic Malibu Pottery tiles overlooking spectacular grounds between famous Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Lagoon. Built in 1929, the house is now a museum and event venue.
Ruddy, originally from Ireland, said he plans on using his expertise and knowledge as an archeologist, art historian and business administrator to initiate changes at the Adamson House in order to increase visitors and its presence — and, as he says, “to have an under-appreciated cultural institution and historical landmark put on the map.” As curator, Ruddy will focus on property development, acquisitions, conservation, research and the property’s collections. He will be marketing events and managing staff and volunteers as well.
After a tumultuous year of squabbling among past volunteers and facilitators along with a docent walkout, Ruddy has been hard at work in restoring the Adamson House to its glorified place among California’s historic sites.
“The state is most definitely concerned about the Adamson House and is definitely not ignoring it,” Ruddy explained. “They’ve invested by hiring a full-time curator — me. My top priorities are to oversee the collections and maintenance of the house, the upkeep and also to reinvigorate the volunteer program.”
A docent training program is being offered in October to those who volunteer at the site.
“We’re looking for as many volunteers as we can get”, Ruddy said. “Volunteers are the life blood of a cultural, historical house like the Adamson House. It’s a very rewarding job. It’s one of the most important art, historical houses in California and has one of the best views in all of Southern California.”
In addition to some recent interior reconditioning and conservation to the inside of the structure (including some linens), the structure’s beautiful lath house is about to be restored. And, of course, all of these projects need the funds to pay for them. That’s where the Malibu Adamson House Foundation (MAHF) helps.
The president of MAHF, Lance Simmens, said he’s encouraging all the board members to take part in the six-week docent training that prepares volunteers to lead tours at the property.
“I believe it is critically important that we know as much about the history of the house and family as those conducting the tours,” he explained.
John Mazza, a MAHF board member as well as Malibu Planning Commissioner, said, “I’m looking forward to taking the docent course.”
Ruddy explained that tours will be restructured featuring art history and even possible ethnographic tours with an emphasis on the Chumash who originally inhabited the site years before Europeans arrived.
Both Ruddy and Simmens explained that any past acrimony among the management of the property is long over with and both expressed the desire to move forward in making the Adamson House a must-see destination, encouraging new visitors as well as those who have been to the house before.
“Having a curator is essential — the backbone — to make it a destination in Malibu,” Simmens said. He also emphasized the importance of the volunteer staff.
Ruddy is also seeking a partnership with local colleges for interns to work at the site, all in an effort to restore the house to its former stature.
The Malibu Film Society is hosting a fundraiser for the MAHF on Sept. 11 at the site. They will be screening “The Maltese Falcon” in honor of the movie’s 75th anniversary.
“I want to move forward with everything at the Adamson House. I don’t want to look back,” Ruddy said. “I see the foundation and the association as being a union from this point on.”
