HISTORY

The Stillwell House, a two story, red brick, Territorial-style home, was built in 1901 for James Twiggs an Irish inn-keeper. Along with his wife, Lucy Stillwell-Twiggs, James operated the home as a boardinghouse for railroad workers. It had six rooms downstairs and six upstairs with a central hallway on each floor.

In the 1980's the Stillwell House fell on hard times. While vacant it burned twice, charring the facade and damaging the internal structure.  Dennis Bonner and Candace VerBrugghen discovered and purchased the building in 1988. With an eye to converting it into a sheet music store and performance space they contacted John Richards of Design and Presentation Architects and Rick Sililli of Kea Construction. After careful inspection it was determined that the facade was salvageable but the interior was not. Bonner spent the next year arranging for the necessary permits and gutting the interior in preparation for the renovation.

Renovation of the Stillwell House was completed in the spring of 1990. The building now boasts a 35-foot high cathedral ceiling and wrap-around mezzanine. The first floor is covered in a honey-maple hardwood floor, using flooring that was salvaged from Northern Arizona University's (NAU's) gymnasium floor.  The facility opened for booking in 1990 and has hosted over 800 events to date. In the early 90's the neighboring property was bought and converted into a courtyard and cantina. The Stillwell House cantina became the new home of the Old Pueblo Club's antique bar when the 80-year old club closed its doors in 1992.

In 2001, native Tucsonan and experienced event planner Candace Flores Carrillo, along with her family purchased the property with a vision to merge all three spaces in order to become a premier destination party location by offering a number of unique on-site services. Candace, a certified wedding planner, along with her aunt General Manager Wilma Levine and mother, executive chef Carlotta Flores,  aim to please the clients every wish and desire.  Inspired by her family's own legacy the famed El Charro Cafe, Candace has merged tantalizing cuisine with the simple elegance and built in ambiance of the Stillwell House and Garden.

Today the Stillwell House is an integral part of Historic Tucson and the Downtown Arts District. It has been the scene of many art openings, concerts, and theatrical performances.

The Stillwell House and Garden, your historic event facility.