Mohave County Historical Society
Historic Bonelli House
Step inside one of Kingman's most beloved landmarks — a beautifully preserved Victorian home that tells the story of a pioneering Arizona family.
A Family Home, A Living Legacy
Stonemason, Mr. Prendergast, used a local volcanic-mix stone for its thick exterior walls and on the inside a fire-resistant mixture of plaster and lime was applied to its lathe-and-plaster walls. To increase the aspect of fire safety, George and Effie designed their home with exit doors to the veranda in each room, on both levels. A five—point system of passive air-conditioning was provided: (1) Leafy vines, growing on chicken wire stretched from under roof eaves to anchors in cement on the three-sided veranda. This shaded the stone walls from the direct sun; (2) the cupola, which sits atop the roof, served as their hot air chimney; (3) inside, an exit for that hot air was by way of an opening in an upstairs bedroom. That’s three– so you must visit the Bonelli museum house to get the rest of the story! The cupola (see photo below) was also used as a look-out for the Bonelli boys at play…girls were not allowed.
The home was gifted to Ciy of Kingman to create a historic home museum as part of the United States Bi-centennial Project. In April 1975, the first floor of the house was opened to the public in 1978. The second floor was opened in 1988.
The Historic Bonelli House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Native Tufa Stone
The exterior walls are built from locally quarried volcanic tufa stone, giving the house its distinctive warm, textured appearance unique to the Kingman area.
Wraparound Veranda
A gracious wraparound porch shades the home from the Arizona sun and reflects the Victorian-era tradition of outdoor living spaces.
Original Woodwork
Interior rooms retain much of their original woodwork, including hand-crafted built-ins, wainscoting, and period-appropriate trim throughout.
Period Gardens
The surrounding grounds have been restored with period-appropriate plantings and landscaping that evoke the domestic life of early 20th-century Kingman.
Exhibits & Collections
Furnished rooms and curated displays bring the Bonelli family's daily life vividly to the present.
Victorian Parlor
The formal parlor is furnished with original and period-appropriate pieces, offering a window into the social customs and domestic elegance of early Kingman society.
Period Kitchen
The restored kitchen showcases the tools, equipment, and routines of early 20th-century domestic life in the Arizona desert.
Family Bedrooms
Upstairs bedrooms are furnished to reflect the lives of the Bonelli children and guests, with personal effects and period clothing on display.
Family Artifacts
Personal belongings, photographs, letters, and documents belonging to the Bonelli family are displayed throughout the house.
Guided Tours
Guided tours of the Bonelli House are available during regular museum hours. Group tours for schools and organizations should be scheduled in advance through the MCHS administrative office.
Hours & Admission
Admission includes entry to all three MCHS museums. Closed on major holidays.
Location
The Bonelli House is located a short walk from the Mohave Museum in historic downtown Kingman. Street parking is available on Spring Street.