Mayor Bradley in living room
Mayor Tom Bradley
The house transferred to the City of Los Angeles during the first term of Los Angeles’ mayor, Tom Bradley. The funds for refurbishing the house that were donated by the Getty Company were used for furnishing and necessary landscaping. The mayor, his wife Ethel, and their daughter moved into the house upon completion of the refurbishing in 1977.
Mayor Bradley and his family lived in the house for 16 of his 20 years in office. The Department of General Services maintained the grounds while the Department of Cultural Affairs curated the presentation of the art. Ethel Bradley was well known for her devotion to the beautiful gardens. She was also fan of baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and dedicated an entire room to Dodger memorabilia.
Ethel Bradley with friends in the Getty House garden
The house immediately became an important place to entertain visiting dignitaries. October 25, 1977, just weeks after its dedication, Getty House was the site for a formal dinner welcoming the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness Prince Charles. In attendance were city council members and Hollywood notable Gregory Peck.
Mayor Bradley also served an important role in the 1984 Olympic Games, the acquisition of which he considered to be “the highlight of my entire political career.” Mayor Bradley opened the Olympic Games. Twenty years later in 2004, the Olympic athletes were hosted at the Los Angeles Getty House.
Mayor Bradley with guests in library
In many ways, Mayor Bradley’s position as the first mayoral occupant demonstrates the potential of Getty House to be a bridge that joins people and interests. Bradley was the first African American elected mayor of Los Angeles, and the first mayor to reside in Getty House.
Only decades before, in the 1940s, African Americans could not buy property in the exclusive residential areas of Hancock Park and Windsor Square. A former police chief, Bradley served as a coalition builder for he city during his five consecutive terms. He was one of Los Angeles’ most noted civic boosters, a role Getty House proudly continues today.
