OUR STORY

The Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens was founded by Edward Eberle and Dean Stout. In the early 1930s, Edward Eberle began acquiring art at age eighteen while working in Los Angeles. Although employed at Old Farmers and Merchants Bank, his true passion was art and antiques. Prior to World War II, Eberle worked as a chauffeur for Mr. Guy Mitchell. The two traveled throughout Europe until the onset of war. 

In 1945, Eberle opened an Antique Gallery in Los Angeles with his business partner, Dean Stout. During his time in Los Angeles, he worked for William Randolph Hearst, actually living at the Hearst Castle for a period of time. 

In the early 1950s, Eberle purchased the property, which is now the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens. With the help of friend Guy Mitchell, Eberle and Dean began working on the site. The Museum structure was designed by architect Benjamin Rabe and the grounds by Dean Stout, who was a landscape architect by profession. 

At completion, the Museum and Library looked as they do today. The Museum was run as a private enterprise until 1964, at which point Eberle gifted the property to Riverside County. Improvements have been implemented over the last 50 years, including the Kay Ceniceros Cultural Center and Legacy Rose Garden. Dean Stout passed away in 1964, shortly after gifting the museum to Riverside County. Edward Eberle continued to champion the museum until his passing in 1980.

OUR MISSION

The Edward-Dean Museum is committed to preserving and protecting its collection of 16th-20th century decorative arts, fine arts and historical artifacts to enrich their surrounding community and provide a place for social, cultural, and educational enrichment.