Arden Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens Modjeska Canyon
For inquiries, please contact Heritage Hill Historical Park (949) 923-2230 heritagehill@ocparks.com
For reservations, please contact the South County Historical Parks office at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest at (949) 923-2230 or heritagehill@ocparks.com.
Tucked away amidst a live oak grove on the banks of Santiago Creek in Modjeska Canyon lies the century-old home of world renowned actress Madame Helena Modjeska. Named for the grounds’ resemblance to the Forest of Arden in the Shakespearean play, “As You Like It,” Arden is designated a National Historic Landmark.
Activities
Docent led tours of the historic house and gardens are currently offered 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, by advance reservation. This walking tour will take you through the years Madame Modjeska resided in her canyon home, and along the rock lined pathways of what she so fondly called the Forest of Arden. Tours are approximately 1 1/2 hours.
Park patrons are welcome to enjoy the self-guided grounds on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UPDATED MAY 29, 2020 - In an effort to minimize the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on park patrons, staff, and the Orange County community at large, and consistent with the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Governor’s office, the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), OC Parks is operating in the following manner as of Thursday, May 29, 2020.
Congress through the National Park Service, Department of Interior, selected OC Parks as a grant recipient to “Save America’s Treasures.” The National Park Service, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts, provided $4.8 million in grants awarded to 16 projects in 12 states, supporting the preservation of nationally significant historic properties and collections throughout the country.
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