For a look at Placentia’s early citrus-era history, Bradford House is a preserved historic home that now serves as a living museum. Built as the center of a citrus business, it offers a glimpse of domestic life from its period, with public docent-led tours held monthly.
- Location: 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
What Bradford House is
Bradford House is a two-story, 15-room home with a full basement, built in a modified Queen Anne Victorian style. Its furnishings reflect a period style, while its rooms preserve details of the house’s original design.
On the first floor, look for a ruby glass window, coved ceilings, pocket doors and a handcrafted hemlock staircase. A double fireplace separates the back parlor from the dining room.
The large kitchen has built-in cabinetry, cupboards that reach the ceiling and a worktable with sugar and flour bins. Four of the original seven upstairs bedrooms are open for viewing.
The National Register of Historic Places lists the house as a historic landmark. The National Park Service record identifies its architectural style as Colonial Revival and names James Stafford as its architect.
A short history of the house
Albert Sumner Bradford built the house in 1902 as his family home and the center of his citrus business. Its reported construction cost was $8,000.
In 1973, Bradford’s descendants gave the house and its surrounding 1½ acres to the City of Placentia for community use and enjoyment. The Placentia Founders Society, established in 1974, preserves and maintains the house as a living museum. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 3, 1978.
How to plan a visit
Bradford House is at 136 Palm Circle in Placentia. For a public visit, plan around the regular docent-led tour on the second Sunday of the month, from 2–4 p.m. That schedule gives you a set window to see the home and its furnishings.
The Placentia Founders Society also arranges group tours for $5 per person. Call (714) 993-2470 to arrange one. The society hosts recurring events during the year, including historic lectures, art galleries, an ice cream social, a Halloween Haunt and a members’ holiday party.
Tours, hours, and access
Public tours do not require an admission fee, though a $3 donation is appreciated. The monthly tour hours are 2–4 p.m. on the second Sunday; group tours have a separate per-person charge and are arranged by phone.
Tour schedules and access details can change, so check the official site before you go. The Placentia Founders Society is the organization to contact about tours and events.
Pairing Bradford House with other Brea stops
Bradford House is in Placentia, not Brea, so treat it as a historic stop outside the city rather than a downtown Brea attraction.
From Hyland Motel rooms in Brea, Bradford House is about an 11-minute drive.
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center offers another cultural stop to pair with time in the area.
If you are planning time in the city as well, the downtown Brea neighbourhood guide covers dining, arts and getting around.
Consider the Muckenthaler Cultural Center for a second cultural landmark on your itinerary.
FAQs
Where is Bradford House?
It is at 136 Palm Circle, Placentia, CA 92870.
When are public tours?
Docent-led public tours take place on the second Sunday of each month from 2–4 p.m.
Is there an admission charge?
Public tours have no required admission fee, and a $3 donation is appreciated. Group tours cost $5 per person.
What can you see inside?
The house is furnished in a period style. Highlights include its handcrafted staircase, double fireplace, large kitchen and four open upstairs bedrooms.