Inside the Gould:
A Historic Conversation with Ventura Historian Cynthia Thompson

Join us inside the iconic Thomas Gould Jr. House for a special conversation with local Ventura historian Cynthia Thompson. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a local history lover, or a curious buyer, this is a rare opportunity to hear the untold story of one of California’s great homes.

Thomas Gould Jr. House
A Hidden Architectural Masterpiece
by Henry Mather Greene

Craftsman-style house with green siding, multiple windows, and a landscaped front yard including a pathway, plants, and an outdoor chair.

Tucked into the quiet folds of the Ventura hills, hidden among ancient oaks and swaying sycamores lies one of California’s greatest architectural masterpieces – and one of Ventura’s best kept secrets. The Thomas Gould Jr House isn’t just an estate—it’s a living work of art. But more than that, it’s a comfortable, soulful, and remarkably livable home – designed a century ago yet perfectly suited for today’s modern lifestyle.

Aerial view of a two-story house with a large garden, surrounded by trees, in a suburban neighborhood at dusk.

Set on 1.75 gently sloping acres with views of the sparkling Pacific, Channel Islands, and coastal hillsides, the Gould House is a rare Henry Mather Greene-designed estate—a masterwork of California Arts & Crafts architecture, and the only Greene & Greene home ever built in Ventura and one of the last Greene & Greene houses to be built in southern California.

Spacious living room with hardwood floors, white walls, light wood trim, a large white sectional sofa, wooden chairs, and a rustic coffee table. Large windows provide a view of greenery outside. A dark vase with greenery sits on the table. Two chandeliers hang from the ceiling.

Crafted in 1924 for Mabel and Thomas Gould Jr, this extraordinary 2 story, 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom approximately 4300 sf estate has changed hands only once in 100 years. It doesn’t appear on architectural tours. But for those who recognize the hand of a master in every joint, every window, every line of shadow—it is a revelation.

 

Attuned to the sun, breezes, and natural contours of its hillside setting, Henry Mather Greene worked closely with Mabel Gould to create a more relaxed, farmhouse-influenced interpretation of his iconic Arts and Crafts style—layered with subtle Japanese influence—blending beauty and utility in a way that feels remarkably timeless and welcoming.

Indoor room with a wooden desk, chair, and large window showing garden view. There is a decorative mirror, a potted plant, and a lamp on the desk.

The floorplan is exceptional: an impressive living room with adjacent den, a window-lined dining room, and a thoughtfully designed layout that supports both quiet moments and lively gatherings. In the 1980s, the first Director of the Gamble House, Randell Makinson, also an architect and Greene & Greene curator, updated the kitchen, added a complementary extension to the 2nd story and a 4-car garage—respecting the home’s soul while enhancing its function. The kitchen and upstairs primary bathroom offer future owners an opportunity to bring their own vision while staying true to the home’s legacy.

Throughout the home, you’ll find exquisite original details handmade or personally designed by Greene himself: custom bookcases, a carved entry mirror, custom redwood moldings / baseboards, built-in desks, cabinetry, art glass, and light sconces. Two fireplaces feature iconic Batchelder tile. Many light fixtures are original and luminous. Every window frames views of mature trees, garden vistas, or island-dotted horizons. The oak and maple floors glow with a century’s worth of golden light and layered history.

Mid-century modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, tile backsplash, and skylight. Features a stove, sink, dishwasher, and decorative items like a plant and cutting boards.
Bright dining room with a wooden table, six black chairs, a geometric light fixture, large windows, a bench, and a sideboard decorated with plants.
Large green two-story house with a dark roof, surrounded by lush greenery and landscaped gardens, under a clear blue sky.

Outside, the land itself tells a story. Landscape architect Theodore Payne, a pioneer of California’s naturalistic movement, planted the majestic oaks and sycamores by hand. Today, the grounds are certified as a Certified Wildlife Preserve, with native plantings that attract monarch butterflies and hummingbirds. Two original ponds—one now a serene Zen garden with fountain, the other ready for your koi and waterlilies—add to the sense of peace and wonder. Hand-stacked stone walls and pathways from a century ago still guide the way.

The magnificent property stretches from a gated entry on Lynn Dr all the way to Foothill Rd offering 3 separate parcels (4 APNs), and the potential to add a guest quarters or office and a pool. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a place of national and state significance, offering substantial property tax advantages through the Mills Act.

There are fewer than 200 true Greene & Greene homes in existence. Most are in Pasadena. Fewer still were designed by Henry Mather Greene alone. And only one, quietly tucked into the hills of Ventura, remains largely unknown—even to devoted admirers of California architecture. This is that house. A living work of art, waiting for its next caretaker – someone who will recognize its rarity, feel its soul and become part of its extraordinary story. 

Wooden staircase with a mirror and sconces

Henry Mather Greene and the Legacy of Greene & Greene

The Gould House was designed by Henry Mather Greene, the younger half of the legendary architectural duo Greene & Greene. Henry and his brother Charles were born in Ohio and trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture, which at the time was the most advanced architecture program in the United States. After graduating in the 1890s, the brothers moved to Pasadena, California, and became instrumental in defining the American Arts and Crafts movement.

Greene & Greene’s work is characterized by handcrafted woodwork, harmonious proportions, and exquisite attention to detail—an architectural language deeply influenced by Japanese design principles. Their exposure to Japanese aesthetics came largely through visiting California’s Japanese exhibitions and gardens, as well as from studying traditional Japanese architecture in books and prints. They admired the simplicity, honesty of materials, and the integration of structures into their natural surroundings. You can feel that influence here at the Gould House—in the deep overhangs, natural materials, handcrafted joinery, and the seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Though Charles eventually stepped back from active design work, Henry continued independently, designing a small number of custom homes—including this one—for discerning clients who valued artistry over trends.

Certified wildlife habitat garden with agave plants and a sign from the National Wildlife Federation.

Theodore Payne and
the California Native Landscape

The original landscaping at the Gould House was designed by Theodore Payne, a horticulturist and early conservationist who is now considered the father of the California native plant movement. Born in England in 1872, Payne trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew before emigrating to California in 1893. He became a passionate advocate for using native plants in landscape design—long before sustainability and drought-tolerance became buzzwords.

Payne believed California’s native flora was uniquely beautiful and well-suited to its climate. His work emphasized habitat preservation, biodiversity, and a painterly sense of naturalism. By the time he worked on the Gould House, Payne had already influenced dozens of public and private gardens across the state, including work at the Huntington and Descanso Gardens. His vision helped transform the property into a living extension of the land itself—lush, resilient, and deeply rooted in California’s ecological identity.