Thorsen House facts for kids
The William R. Thorsen House, often called the Thorsen House, is a special old home in Berkeley, California. It was built in 1909 for William and Caroline Thorsen. This house is one of the last four "ultimate bungalows" designed by the famous architects Henry and Charles Greene. It's also the only one of these homes in Northern California.
Since 1942, the Thorsen House has been home to the Sigma Phi Society. This group hosts dinners, small concerts, and gives tours to students and the public. Thousands of people visit the house every year. You can often visit the Thorsen House by simply knocking on the door!
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William R. Thorsen House
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 Location in Oakland, California
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2307 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, California |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Greene & Greene |
| Architectural style | Ultimate bungalow, American Arts and Crafts Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000646 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1978 |
History of the Thorsen House
The Thorsen House has a rich history. It shows off a unique style of building from a long time ago.
Who was William Thorsen?
The Thorsen House is named after William Randolph Thorsen (1860-1942). He was a very successful businessman who worked with wood, often called a "lumber baron." He moved to Berkeley, California, after he retired.
His wife, Caroline Canfield Thorsen (1858-1942), was the younger sister of Nellie Canfield Blacker. Nellie owned the Robert R. Blacker House in Pasadena, California. William and Caroline lived in the Thorsen House from when it was built until they passed away in 1942.
Amazing House Design
The Thorsen House is a great example of the American Craftsman style. This style is part of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Architects Greene & Greene were very famous for using this style in their projects. Other famous homes they designed include the Gamble House and the Blacker House, both in Pasadena.
The entry hall of the Thorsen House is covered in beautiful wood from Burma (now Myanmar). The living and dining rooms use wood from Honduras Mahogany. You can see small, dark wood pegs, made of ebony, covering the screws.
The fireplace in the living room is special, too. It's covered in soft purple tiles from the Grueby Faience Company. The front door has amazing stained glass with a design of a twisted grape vine. An artist named Emil Lange made this glass, and he also worked on the Gamble House. Greene & Greene even designed some furniture for the dining room. Later, they were asked to create even more pieces for the house.
See also
- Gamble House
- Robert R. Blacker House
- Collegiate Secret Societies of North America
- North American fraternity and sorority housing
- List of Berkeley Landmarks in Berkeley, California
