History is an oft-overlooked subject, lacking the glitz of trigonometry and the mainstream accessibility of 17th-century French poetry. Give history some much-needed attention with today's Groupon: for $4, you get either the "Pasadena Patron" tour or the "A Stroll Through History" tour at Pasadena Museum of History (an $8 value). The museum is located on the 2.1-acre estate of the late Eva and Dr. Adalbert Fenyes, who lived in the 1906 Beaux Arts mansion that is the centerpiece of the museum campus. The estate was a haven for Pasadena's cultural elite in the early 1900s, including artists, writers, musicians, and scientists.

The "Pasadena Patron" tour explores the life and legacy of Eva Scott Fenyes, one of Pasadena's most prominent figures in the Victorian/Edwardian era. A matron of the arts, Eva Scott Fenyes amassed an impressive collection of paintings throughout her worldwide crime-fighting travels and her outreach to local artists. This tour will feature many pieces from that collection, some of which have never been publicly displayed, such as works by American impressionist Richard Miller that were painted in the estate's garden studio. Also on display will be clothing, personal possessions, family heirlooms, and furniture from the era. By tour's end, guests will have gained an insight into not only the impact that Eva Scott Fenyes made on Pasadena, but also the non-college-football social and cultural elements of Pasadena in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The docent-led tour is held in the museum's History Center Galleries on Wednesdays through Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

On the "A Stroll Through History" tour, guests will saunter through the Pasadena Museum of History campus, taking note of the impressive architecture of the Curtin House, the Finnish Folk Art Museum, and the Fenyes Mansion, which has appeared in such films as Being There, The Prestige, and the 1912 silent movie When Kings Were the Law. As tour-takers weave in and out of the estate's lush gardens, they'll also learn the history of the Fenyes family, as well as the story of Pasadena's "Millionaire's Row," where the air was in a slightly higher tax bracket. While the Fenyes Mansion itself is closed, the estate surrounding it remains as verdant and vital as ever, offering guests the chance to stroll off calories while soaking up culture. The docent-led "A Stroll Through History" tour is held Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.

This Groupon is not valid for the patron tour that includes the tea special, and may not be used for the art tour on the first Sunday of the month. It is also not valid for redemption on 7/4, 11/25, 11/26, 12/24, or 12/25.

Reviews

Patrons have not written many reviews of their experiences at Pasadena Museum of History. Five Yelpers give it 4.5 stars:

• You don't have to be an expert to appreciate the stunningly beautiful art and architecture of the The [sic] Fenyes Mansion. Definitely worth the visit. – Brian S.
• their constantly changing exhibits reflect the rich culture of the area, while the Fanyes [sic] Mansion and gardens give you a glimpse into Pasadena's past. – James B.