COMMENTARY Irreplaceable Treasures: Flanders Mansion & Mission Trail Nature Preserve

The Case for the City Negotiating a Long-Term Lease with Flanders Foundation

For too long, our elected and appointed city officials have defined Flanders Mansion as “surplus property,” even a “liability” to the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. For too long, city officials have not seen it necessary to make Flanders Mansion accessible to the public. And for too long, city officials have defined Flanders Mansion in terms of the financial costs of maintaining Flanders Mansion, rather than understanding its value is as a unique historical, cultural and environmental asset. These aforementioned mindsets have prevented city officials from properly fulfilling their public stewardship responsibilities. Fortunately, with the upcoming 10 April 2012 Municipal Election, Carmel voters will have the opportunity to choose elected leaders who view Flanders Mansion and surrounding Mission Trail Nature Preserve parkland as irreplaceable treasures whose preservation, maintenance and accessibility is in the public interest.

Importantly, the City’s General Plan states: "Culturally significant structures and sites, like architectural resources, are vital to the well-being and survival of Carmel's citizens. An understanding of its history helps define and preserve the unique qualities of Carmel. The knowledge of its cultural heritage can be fostered through awareness of its varied eras, eclectic architecture, parks, seashore and forest setting. Such knowledge will provide assurance that Carmel's sense of place will survive."

Moreover, there is only one organization with a mission and vision solely involving Flanders Mansion, namely the Flanders Foundation. The Flanders Foundation Mission: “To preserve, enhance, and maintain the Flanders mansion property as an historical, cultural, and educational resource for the benefit of residents and visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea.” And its’ Mission is specifically designed to implement General Plan Policies, as follows:

1. To recognize the unique social, cultural and recreational aspirations and activities which contribute to the vitality of Carmel-by-the-Sea; to provide a range of public and semi-public facilities and programs responsive to those aspirations; to maintain both facilities and programs so as to exemplify the highest standards for the community.

2. Retain and enhance the buildings and open spaces on a voluntary basis that make especially significant contributions to the unique character and identity of the city.

3. Develop a comprehensive approach to the maintenance and preservation of the City's architectural/ cultural/ historic resources promoting voluntary efforts and, if necessary, funding sources from public and private sectors.

4. Promote property owner awareness of Carmel-by-the-Sea's significant buildings, historic traditions, and preservation policies, and foster a wider appreciation of the contributions these buildings make to the city's character.

5. Establish an archival depository for information on Carmel's history, cultural traditions and architectural contributions.

And the Vision Statement of Flanders Foundation:

Our village by the sea and amongst a forest has long been known not only as a cultural colony that promotes the arts ... be it painting, sculpture, crafts, photography, literature, music, dance, drama, or architecture ... but also as a community which respects and enhances the natural environment. This cultural and environmentally conscious colony has added to the inspiration and vitality of the creative spirits who watch over us in this sylvan setting.

Significant architecture is an important reminder of Carmel's developmental history and provides a visual image that identifies the uniqueness of Carmel for residents and visitors alike. The General Plan speaks to this: "Culturally significant structures and sites, like architectural resources, are vital to the well-being and survival of Carmel's citizens. An understanding of its history helps define and preserve the unique qualities of Carmel. The knowledge of its cultural heritage can be fostered through awareness of its varied eras, eclectic architecture, parks, seashore and forest setting. Such knowledge will provide assurance that Carmel's sense of place will survive."

Flanders mansion, a.k.a. Flanders Estate, and a.k.a. "Outlands", was designed by noted San Francisco architect, Henry H. Gutterson, graduate of U.C. Berkeley and L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. During his career, Gutterson was associated with architects such as Bernard Maybeck, Willis Polk, and Ernest Bourn. In 1924 Gutterson was hired by Paul and Grace Flanders to design their home and gardens as well as to lay out Hatton Fields for development. "Outlands", an English cottage design which is a substyle of the Tudor Revival, was one of the first structures in Carmel of this pictorial style of architecture and is listed on the National Register of historic structures.

Enhancing its uniqueness, Flanders is part of the Mission Trail Nature Preserve and is adjacent to the Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden. Throughout the history of Carmel there has been, and continues to be, a strong tradition to preserve and enhance the natural environment and open space. The preservation of the Flanders property within the Mission Trail Nature Preserve is essential to the Park's integrity. The association of the Flanders property with the Park and the Arboretum offers a unique opportunity for the study of Carmel's natural history as well as the possibility for the reestablishment of a botanical center.

We must not lose this reminder of Carmel's past developmental and cultural history which speaks to the character of the community. It is this quality of character that prompted past Mayor Gunnar Norberg, at the time Vice Mayor, to launch a campaign and persuade the City to purchase the Flanders Estate in 1972 after Paul Flanders had died. The estate subsequently became the site of the Carmel Art Institute under the tutelage of the renowned artist John Cunningham.

Carmel-by-the-Sea's General Plan speaks to the need for fostering a wider appreciation of the contributions that structures, such as "Outlands" make to the City's character. Through private and public funding, the Flanders Foundation can further this policy by restoring and furnishing the house, by improving the landscape, and by establishing an endowment fund for its maintenance and operation.

In keeping with the scale of the house, its gardens and the neighborhood, the house will maintain the air of a private residence and could provide an ideal setting for such uses as small meetings, lectures, retreats, and musical events. These types of events could foster the promotion of Carmel's historic preservation as well as Carmel's cultural and environmental heritage. The garden will retain its rustic style and provide a charmed setting for small scale activities such as poetry readings or a watercolor class. As an alternative, we are also exploring an artist or naturalist in residence program.

Our Foundation seeks individuals, agencies and organizations willing to participate in the preservation of the historically designated Flanders property, not only for today, but for tomorrow. Future generations of Carmelites surely will appreciate our vision and efforts more than any of us can imagine.

The Flanders Foundation also has a Business Plan for the Flanders Mansion and surrounding Mission Trail Nature Preserve parkland. It is to create a Cultural and Natural History Museum in this Historic National Trust Property, to inform and educate visitors of Carmel's rich cultural heritage as a community and provide a venue for the public to enjoy Carmel's extensive art collection of paintings and the Weston Collection of Photographs.

The Natural History Museum would be an educational venue to provide a greater understanding and appreciation of Carmel's unique natural setting, flora, fauna and geological history.

The Flanders Foundation would like a long term lease on the property similar to what Carmel Heritage enjoys at the First Murphy House.

The Foundation would apply for grants and donations with the City's support, in order to do the rehabilitation necessary to open it for the public's use and enjoyment.

The Foundation has produced a professional Business Plan that demonstrates how a museum can be operated without cost to the City. This has been ignored by the City for 9 years. The City has chosen only to pursue a sale.

Ergo, since the Flanders Foundation is the only organization with a Mission, Vision and Business Plan for the Flanders Mansion and surrounding Mission Trail Nature Preserve parkland, it is the ideal entity to negotiate with the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea for a contract similar to the City’s contract with Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC). The contract between SCC, Inc. and the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea establishes that “Sunset Center be managed and operated as a place for public, cultural, entertainment and community events so that Sunset Center will serve as an economic and cultural stimulant for the community, the people of Carmel, and its environs.” Similarly, a contract between Flanders Foundation and the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea can establish that Flanders Mansion be managed and operated as a place for public, historic, cultural, educational and community events so that Flanders Mansion can serve as a historic and cultural asset for the community, the people of Carmel and its environs.

Finally, both the Flanders Mansion and the Sunset Center are National Register of Historic Places properties. Both are city-owned assets. The Flanders Foundation and Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. are both non-profit organizations. Both the Flanders Foundation and Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. are dedicated to their respective missions and the community. Therefore, the mayor and city council members would be wise to understand that the City needs to do more to take proper care of City assets it holds in trust for the people. Both the Flanders Mansion and Sunset Center comprise a substantial part of the City’s heritage. As such, the City can establish a standard of stewardship and leadership by making certain both assets receive support and their managing organizations receive financial subsidies necessary to accomplish their respective missions for our community and, most importantly, for present and future generations of residents and visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Published and Written by
L. A. Paterson