The Dudley House, Ventura

About The Dudley House

The Dudley House is a National Historic Landmark museum in Ventura, California, housed in a Queen Anne-style Victorian built in 1892 by architect Selwyn Shaw. Visitors tour the authentically restored farmhouse through guided experiences led by costumed docents who explain life as the Dudley family lived it between 1895 and 1925. The two-and-a-half-story home showcases the agricultural heritage of Ventura County, particularly the lima bean farming that made the region the world's largest producer by the 1890s. The house also served as a courtroom where owner Benjamin Wells Dudley, a Justice of the Peace, held court in the parlor while serving as school board member and clerk of the Board of Supervisors. The museum grounds host seasonal events including the Annual Holiday Boutique featuring crafts, home décor, antiques, collectibles, and refreshments. Visitors interested in local history and Victorian-era domestic life find the restored interiors and historical narratives central to understanding Ventura's pioneer past.