Pond Farm Park Named National Historic Landmark—CA's 1st In 25 Years

GUERNEVILLE, CA—Following a plaque dedication ceremony held Saturday, the celebration continues surrounding Pond Farm Pottery's designation as a National Historic Landmark—California State Parks' first since 1999.

Located in Sonoma County within Austin Creek State Recreation Area, Pond Farm Park was the home and studio of Marguerite Wildenhain, master potter and pioneer of a 140-acre post-World War II experimental artist colony.

It was officially designated by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Dec. 11, 2023, and is California State Parks' 30th National Historic Landmark.

The designation represents the culmination of a collaborative, nearly seven-year effort among California State Parks, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, the National Park Service’s National Historic Landmarks Program, and California State University, Sacramento.

"This is a banner day for California State Parks and our partners to celebrate our newest historic landmark," said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. "The preservation of these historic sites doesn’t end the story but allows these places to inspire future generations to write their own story. We believe this site will inspire artists, just like it inspired State Parks to expand our artist in residency programs at other parks through the Arts in California Parks program."

The National Historic Landmark designation recognizes Wildenhain’s contributions to the mid-20th-century American Studio Pottery Movement as an artist, author and teacher from her arrival at Pond Farm in 1942 to her retirement in 1980.

"The dedication of Pond Farm Pottery as a National Historic Landmark is an incredible honor that puts a spotlight on this treasured cultural resource and our collaborative work with California State Parks to protect, activate, and elevate awareness of the significance of the site," said Justin Lindenberg, executive director of the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. "This important designation was made possible through the perseverance of university students, volunteers, nonprofit and State Parks staff — as a grassroots effort to codify the influence Marguerite Wildenhain had on the studio pottery movement in America."

Pond Farm Pottery’s landmark designation expands the scope of who and what is traditionally recognized as nationally significant. Trained at the Bauhaus German School of Design, Wildenhain was the first woman to receive the designation of master potter in Europe. After emigrating from Germany to the United States to escape Nazi persecution, she became a significant figure in the American Studio Pottery Movement as well as among peers in the British and Japanese pottery movements. The Pond Farm Pottery designation also elevates the evolution of a female-driven artistic movement to prominence as a historically significant piece of our country’s heritage.

California State Parks and Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods cooperatively manage Pond Farm Pottery. It is supported by the Arts in California Parks program and hosts an artist-in-residence program, bringing in diverse artists from the United States and abroad.

A recent documentary chronicles Wildenhain's life and contributions to the American Studio Pottery Movement.

"Pond Farm Pottery is a remarkable place and one that signifies the role of women, immigrants, and the arts in the rich mosaic of our nation's history," said State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco. "As a National Historic Landmark, this site will help commemorate a more inclusive history."

Although Austin Creek State Recreation Area remains closed because of damage from the Walbridge Fire of 2020, Pond Farm Pottery is open to the public through docent-led tours. From April through October, the tours are held every third Saturday.

California State Parks Spokesperson Adeline Yee told Patch that private tours are also available. Tour information is available at Pondfarm.org/docent-led-tours/. Yee said the public can get updates on new tours by signing up for Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods’ newsletter.

"State Parks is working with Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods to rebuild the Pool Ridge Trail damaged during the 2020 Walbridge Fire before Austin Creek State Recreation Area reopens," Yee said. "The department thanks the public for its patience and understanding."

California's 11 National Historic Landmarks

National Historic Landmarks possess exceptional value in illustrating or interpreting the United States's heritage. The designation is the highest federal recognition of a property's significance. Pond Farm Pottery and Wayfarers Chapel in Ranchos Palos Verdes —designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.—were among 14 nationwide to receive the designation in 2023 from Secretary Haaland. Before that, there were nine in California:

• Baldwin Hills Village, 5300 Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County
• Coso Rock Art District, Address Restricted, China Lake, Inyo County
• First Pacific Coast Salmon Cannery Site, Broderick, Yolo County
• Fresno Sanitary Landfill, West and Jensen Avenues, Fresno, Fresno County
• Mission San Miguel Arcángel, 801 Mission Street, San Miguel, San Luis Obispo County
• Rancho Camulos, 5164 East Telegraph Road, Piru, Ventura County
• Santa Barbara County Courthouse, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara County
• Swedenborgian Church, 3200 Washington Street, San Francisco, San Francisco County
• Tule Lake Segregation Center, West of State Highway 139, Newell, Modoc County

See a list of landmarks by state.