Bellosguardo opens doors for first fundraising event

Bellosguardo opened its doors for a Gatsby inspired fundraiser on Saturday afternoon.

Event co-chair Josh Conviser shared his knowledge of the estate that led to the creation of the Bellosguardo Foundatin.

He said the home owned by the late Huguette Clark was completed in 1937.

Clark spent many summers visitnig the house when her mother Anna was alive.

“When Anna died in 1963 Huegette never returned to this location, she never came back, but because this was something her mother felt so deeply about she held this for the rest of her life and maintained it so we are now inside the time capsule looking back to what life was like 65-70 years ago, ” said Conviser.

Many of walls, and ceiling of pristine rooms were taken from chateaus in Europe and were installed to represent historical eras.

Clark died just shy of turning 105 in May of 2011. The Paris-born painter and philanthropist was the daughter of Montana Sen. William Clark who made his fortune copper mining.

She was also one of the richest woman in the United States but she led a reclusive life.

Clark was married at the home and divorced a short time later. She never had children of her own, but she collected dolls,.

She created public pond named after her late sister Andree who died in her youth.

Bellosguardo Foundation Executive Director Jeremy Lindaman said he is excited to open up the home to guests.

The longtime goal is turn the estate overlooking East Beach into a museum for the public to enjoy.

The Foundation created to preserve the legacy of Huguette Clark took control of the home on 1407 E. Cabrillo Blvd.